Most Canadians open to installing renewable energy devices

  • June 17, 2024
  • Michael Nadeau

A recent Nanos Research poll, commissioned by energy management automation firm Schneider Electric, found that a majority of Canadians are inclined to install renewable energy generating devices in their homes. Connected devices cited in the poll include solar panels and heat pumps. Nanos conducted the random survey of 1,069 Canadians, 18 years of age or older, between March 31 and April 1, 2024.

The research assessed Canadians’ perspectives on the government’s efforts to meet carbon reduction goals, awareness of net-zero requirements, confidence in achieving those goals, and openness to renewable energy. Key findings include:

  • Eighty-five percent of Canadians are open (58 percent) or somewhat open (27 percent) to installing renewable energy devices in or on their homes.
  • Seventy-two percent of Canadians expressed intent or have already taken action on transitioning their homes to renewable energy sources such as solar or heat pumps.
  • Sixty percent of Canadians are aware that Canada will need to more than double its current electricity production to meet its 2050 net-zero goals.
  • Forty-eight percent of Canadians believe the government is doing a poor (20 percent) or very poor (28 percent) job trying to reach its carbon reduction goals by 2050.
  • Fifty-five percent of Canadians lack confidence in Canada’s ability to achieve its net-zero goals by 2050.

“Canadians are ready to embrace the new energy landscape. The survey underscores their understanding that achieving our net-zero goals requires collective action,” said Emily Heitman, country president at Schneider Electric Canada, in a press release. “The recipe for success involves both the continued willingness of Canadians to engage and policy support at the Federal and Provincial levels, which can assist in offsetting the costs of implementing these innovative solutions.”