Friday, August 21, 2009 at 2:05:15 PM - by Nate Lew

Americans believe that clean power sources like solar energy offer far more benefits than risks, according to a recent survey.

The new Harris Poll finds that 82 percent of Americans believe the benefits of solar energy outweigh its risk, with 68 percent saying that the benefits strongly outweigh the risks. In contrast, only 5 percent claimed that the risks outweighed the benefits.

When it comes to wind power, a total of 78 percent says the benefits outweigh the risks, while only 7 percent said the risks outweigh the benefits. Natural gas and geothermal energy also fared well in the survey, although they received somewhat lower marks from the public.

When it comes to fossil fuels, 42 percent said the risks of coal outweigh its benefits, compared to 36 percent who say the opposite. Biomass received the lowest level of public support, with nuclear energy getting mixed results, 44-34 percent.

The public support for clean energy comes at a time when the technology is becoming more efficient than ever, allowing consumers to recoup their investments faster than ever. This is especially the case in light of various state and federal tax incentives to encourage clean energy.