Home Solar & Battery Storage ROI Perception Survey

Welcome to this survey on household perspectives regarding home solar and battery storage. Your participation is entirely voluntary, and you may stop at any time. There are no right or wrong answers—we are interested in your honest opinions. All responses are confidential and will be reported only in aggregate. This survey takes approximately 12 minutes to complete. Please answer based on your current household situation.

Which of the following best describes your current living situation?

• I own my home
• I rent my home
• I live with family or others
• Prefer not to say

Which of the following best describes your household's current status with solar panels and/or battery storage?

• I have both solar panels and battery storage
• I have solar panels only
• I have battery storage only
• I plan to install within 12 months
• I'm considering it in the next 1–3 years
• I'm not currently considering it

The following questions are about your experience with your current solar and/or battery storage system.

The following questions ask about what would make solar and battery storage worthwhile for your household.

Please rank the following factors from most to least important when evaluating solar and battery storage for your home.

1. Upfront cost / total investment
2. Monthly energy bill savings
3. Payback period / time to break even
4. Environmental impact / carbon reduction
5. Energy independence / backup power during outages
6. Increase in home resale value
7. Available rebates, tax credits, and incentives
8. System warranty and long-term reliability

What is the single biggest barrier preventing your household from adopting or expanding solar and/or battery storage?

• High upfront cost
• Uncertainty about actual savings
• My roof isn't suitable (age, orientation, shading)
• Concerns about technology becoming outdated
• Complex installation or permitting process
• Lack of trusted, unbiased information
• HOA or local regulations
• I plan to move soon
• No significant barriers
• Other (please specify)

What, if anything, would most improve your perception of the return on investment for home solar and battery storage?

What is your age?

• 18–24
• 25–34
• 35–44
• 45–54
• 55–64
• 65 or older
• Prefer not to say

Thank you for your time—your responses have been submitted. Your input helps advance understanding of residential solar and battery storage decisions.

Approximately when did you install your most recent solar or battery storage system?

• 2024 or later
• 2022–2023
• 2020–2021
• 2018–2019
• 2016–2017
• 2015 or earlier
• I'm not sure

What payback period would make solar and battery storage worthwhile for your household?

• Less than 3 years
• 3–5 years
• 6–8 years
• 9–12 years
• 13–15 years
• More than 15 years
• Payback period is not a key factor for me

How clear is your understanding of the expected return on investment (ROI) for home solar and battery storage?

How concerned are you that solar and battery storage technology will become outdated before you recoup your investment?

Based on your responses throughout this survey, please share any additional thoughts about the value, barriers, or appeal of home solar and battery storage for your household.

What is your gender identity?

• Man
• Woman
• Non-binary
• Prefer not to say

When you installed your system, approximately how many years were you told it would take to pay for itself?

• Less than 5 years
• 5–7 years
• 8–10 years
• 11–15 years
• More than 15 years
• I was not given a payback estimate
• I don't remember

Which financing approach would you most prefer for a solar and/or battery storage purchase?

• Cash purchase
• Loan (secured or unsecured)
• Lease
• Power purchase agreement (PPA)
• Community solar subscription
• Not sure / need guidance
• Other (please specify)

How confident are you that solar and battery storage would be a good financial investment for your household?

In the past 12 months, how often did your household experience power outages?

• None
• Once
• 2–3 times
• 4 or more times
• Prefer not to say

In which country is your primary residence located?

• United States
• Canada
• United Kingdom
• Australia
• European Union
• Other

Overall, how satisfied are you with the financial outcomes of your solar and/or battery storage system so far?

How likely are you to install solar panels and/or battery storage within the next 3 years?

Which sources do you trust most for information about solar and battery storage costs and savings? (Select up to 3)

• Local solar installers
• Your electric utility
• Government or agency websites
• Independent consumer review sites
• Online cost calculators or estimators
• Friends, neighbors, or family
• Social media groups or forums
• Home energy auditors or contractors
• Other (please specify)

What type of home do you live in?

• Detached single-family house
• Semi-detached / duplex
• Townhouse / rowhouse
• Condo / apartment
• Manufactured / mobile home
• Other (please specify)

Knowing what you know now, how likely would you be to install solar and/or battery storage again?

What is the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school or less
• Some college / technical
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Graduate or professional degree
• Prefer not to say

Which of the following best describes your current employment status?

• Full-time
• Part-time
• Self-employed
• Homemaker / caregiver
• Student
• Retired
• Not currently working
• Prefer not to say