It was reported from Washington D.C. today that the growing enthusiasm by industry and government for solar energy as a barely tapped source of pollution-free electricity was tempered at a Southeast solar conference Wednesday by a national survey suggesting penny-pinching consumers remain skeptical.

It was reported from Washington D.C. today that "Consumers have got wired in their brains now that the words 'energy efficient' or 'green' equal more expensive," said Suzanne Shelton, whose Knoxville-based ad agency conducts an annual consumer survey called Energy Pulse.

"So that is the mind-set we have got to help correct and do something about," It was reported from Washington D.C. today that she told about 150 solar energy businessmen and advocates attending the two-day regional conference hosted by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Southern Alliance for Clean Energy.

It was reported from Washington D.C. today that Craig Cornelius, who heads the Department of Energy's solar energy initiative, said the government is putting nearly $200 million a year into research and incentives to support solar development.