Belief in the possibilities of utilizing alternative energy sources continues to be strong under all circumstances. One half of the respondents (51%) consider the pollution-free and inexhaustible solar energy to be a realistic solution in the near future. A third of the respondents expect a long waiting period (30%) before solar energy can be utilized. The current opinions are clearly more optimistic than the year before.

The time series for these assessments shows a clearly harmonious trend. Optimism regarding the possibility of utilizing solar power increased with fairly steady, albeit short, steps over a long period. At the turn of the millennium, the development stopped and attitudes gradually started to change back towards scepticism. The share of sceptics no longer increased in the survey two years ago. Instead, the results indicated a new growth in optimism regarding solar power. This trend continued, and the latest results are the most optimistic during the entire follow-up period [Figure 20].

Three out of four (74%) believe that wind and solar power could be taken into extensive use in Finland fairly soon, if there is willingness to invest in the research and development work on these technologies. Only one in ten (10%) do not believe this. This alternative energy-minded but extremely technological belief steadily gained strength over a period of several years until 1998, after which time the trend broke, and opinions began to become slightly more cautious. There is currently somewhat more belief in alternative energy sources than last year but the attitudes still remain within the margin of fluctuation of the last few years [Figure 21].

Attitudes towards wind power were tested with a separate statement, in addition to asking about the desired extent of the use of this energy form (see Chapter 1). A reference to the negative effects on the landscape from this energy form does not noticeably alter the sympathies of the general public. Approximately one in five (21%) now agree with the statement that an increase in the use of wind power would result in considerable environmental harm, with wind farms spoiling the scenery in extensive areas. Seven out of ten (70%) disagree. This time series shows two development stages. Up until 2005, the results showed a gradual increase in scepticism and suggested that more problems with wind power may arise over time. The two latest surveys suggest, however, that the attitudes are returning to their previous level. Few people are still likely to have personal experiences of the aesthetic nature of wind farms in Finland [Figure 22].

The most topical controversy pertaining to wind power is the use of the so-called feed-in tariffs. A new statement regarding this issue, 'In order to promote the use of wind power and bioenergy, a feed-in tariff system should be introduced to collect the additional price paid to the producers of these energy forms from all electricity consumers', was fairly passively received, which is somewhat surprising. A little over a third (35%) are in favor while a fourth (25%) are against. The large share of respondents who do not have an opinion regarding this issue (40%) shows that the general public is not very familiar with the feed-in tariff principle - furthermore, it is difficult to illustrate the principle in a brief statement. The reaction can still be deemed passive, however, when taking into account the fact that it is a question of a means to increase the use of the widely supported wind power alternative. Some of the respondents may disapprove of the statement due to the reference to an additional price being collected from all consumers. When it is examined according to population groups, one can see that the feed-in tariff idea received the most support from the supporters of the Greens (no figure).

The willingness to buy wind-generated electricity was also directly studied. The idea does not awaken any major enthusiasm, at least if electricity produced purely on wind is more expensive than normal electricity. A little over a third (35%) of the respondents state that they are willing to buy such electricity in principle, a little over two fifths (43%) refuse. These figures are more in favor of wind power electricity than in 2004, however. This was the last time this statement was included in the survey. The enthusiasm may, in part, be curbed by the electricity price development - 'regular' electricity is deemed so expensive that an additional price increase does not seem tempting. One should also keep in mind the fact that the sales volumes of electricity produced with wind power and other ecological means are not high. Thus, the willingness to purchase only rarely becomes reality [Figure 23]. The interest towards wind electricity strongly fluctuates between the population groups: the clearly most willing to buy are, for example, women, young people, students, people with an academic education and supporters of the Greens (not included in the figure).