In case you missed it, here is some extraordinary good Solar news:
Solar industry has a strong year
By Dana Hull, San Jose Mercury News -- 03/21/2011
A recent report by the Solar Energy Industries Association found that 2010 was a banner year for solar in the United States. The total size of the U.S. solar market - which includes rooftop installations, hot water heating and utility scale projects - grew from $3.6 billion in 2009 to $6 billion, a 67 percent increase.
"Solar is growing quickly across the U.S. at the residential, commercial, and utility scale levels. It is powering and heating buildings in all 50 states, and using a variety of technologies to do so," states the executive summary of the report, which is scheduled to be released Thursday. "The rapid growth and unique diversity has made the U.S. market a focus of global industry attention for the first time in many years."
[...]
And what's more Solar Industry Representative are bringing this important new "Growth Sector" to the attention of Congress:
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
Latest News -- March 03, 2011
SEIA President Rhone Resch's Testimony before the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade
Rhone Resch:
"The solar industry has become the fastest growing energy sector and one of the fastest growing industries in any sector across the U.S; We are eager to work with Congress on important policy initiatives to continue to grow the solar industry and solar jobs."
WASHINGTON, DC – Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA), today testified before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade's hearing entitled, "Made in America: Innovations in Job Creation and Economic Growth." [ gov link to hearing ]
Resch detailed the private investment, technological and manufacturing innovations, tax and energy policies, and other factors that have contributed to the solar industry's ascent to one of the fastest growing economic sectors in America and a job creator in all 50 states. He also outlined policy recommendations for helping to continue the robust jobs creation across the solar supply chain from engineering and manufacturing to construction, installation and support services. [...]
From the Background Materials, submitted by SEIA President Rhone Resch, to Congress, a few weeks ago:
National Solar Jobs Census 2010
A Review of the U.S. Solar Workforce
National Solar Jobs Census 2010
October 2010 -- Cornell University; Green LMI Consulting
Executive Summary -- The National Solar Jobs Census 2010
[... pg 4]
The Solar Foundation™, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, non-lobbying organization funding solar research and education, recognized this gap and worked with Green LMI Consulting, Cornell University and others to bring this important information to the foreground. This report represents an unprecedented effort to understand the solar industry’s labor market conditions and potential for growth.
In general, U.S. solar companies expect to add jobs at a pace that is much faster than the general economy, and are highly optimistic regarding their overall revenue growth over the near term. Specifically, as of August 2010, the U.S. solar industry employs an estimated 93,000 solar workers - defined as those workers who spend at least 50% of their time supporting solar-related activities. Over the next 12 months, over 50% of solar firms expect to add jobs, while only 2% expect to cut workers. This finding is especially relevant given that the overall expected 12-month growth rate for the entire U.S. economy is only about 2%.
SEIA/GTM Research U.S. Solar Market Insight
U.S. SOLAR MARKET INSIGHT: 2010 YEAR-IN-REVIEW is now available.
[Report requires email registration]
U.S. Solar Market Insight™ is a collaboration between the Solar Energy Industries Association® (SEIA®) and GTM Research that brings high-quality, solar-specific analysis and forecasts to industry professionals in the form of quarterly and annual reports.
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Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
U.S. Solar Market Insight™ Download the Executive Summary
2010 Year in Review
Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)
Executive Summary
[pg 2]
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Key Findings
[pg 3]
Photovoltaics (PV):
-- Grid-connected PV installations grew 102% in 2010 to reach 878 MW, up from 435 MW in 2009, bringing cumulative installed PV capacity in the U.S. to 2.1 GW. [Gigawatts]
[...]
Concentrating Solar Power (CSP):
-- Cumulative CSP capacity from all 17 operating plants reached 507 MWac in 2010. [Megawatts - AC]
[...]
Installed Price
[pg 10]
National weighted-average system prices fell by 20.5% over the course of 2010, from $6.45/W to $5.13/W. Much of this decline was due to a shift toward larger systems, particularly utility systems, in the fourth quarter. [...]
Residential systems were installed in certain locations (particularly Colorado and Arizona) at prices below $5.00/W, but other locations saw residential system prices over $8.00/W. Non-residential installations ranged from $4.11/W to $7.31/W.
[...]
Market Outlook
--
[pg 13]
2011 will be a pivotal year for the U.S. PV market. While installations in the U.S. are likely to double the 2010 total, the global market will experience slower growth. As a result, much of the global PV industry is turning its eye toward the U.S. with great expectations. On the whole, the demand picture for the U.S. market appears strong. Project financing remains available at attractive terms for some projects, new markets are emerging and showing strength, and incumbent markets continue their rise. The expiration of the Treasury Cash Grant program at the end of 2011, as well as the potential rescission of Federal Loan Guarantee funds, however, remain a concern.
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Here's more about that pending "Treasury Cash Grants" expiration, that SEIA is worried about:
U.S. Department of Treasury - Renewable Energy Grants
Incentive Type: Federal Grant Program
Eligible Renewable/Other Technologies: Solar Water Heat, Solar Space Heat, Solar Thermal Electric, Solar Thermal Process Heat, Photovoltaics, Landfill Gas, Wind, Biomass, Hydroelectric, Geothermal Electric, Fuel Cells, Geothermal Heat Pumps, Municipal Solid Waste, CHP/Cogeneration, Solar Hybrid Lighting, Hydrokinetic, Tidal Energy, Wave Energy, Ocean Thermal, Microturbines
Expiration Date: 12/31/2011 (construction must begin by this date)
Web Site: Link
Authority 1:
Date Enacted: H.R. 4853 -- 12/17/2010
And about the revoking of "Federal Loan Guarantee" funds SEIA cited as possible clouds on the otherwise Bright Solar Outlook ...
Well as I explained a few days ago the GOP has their "long knives out" looking to slash such Solar Business Loan assistance. If republicans get their way here, say goodbye to over 600 new Nevada jobs:
This is what a Renewable Energy Future -- Looks Like! ... Buh-bye!
by jamess -- Mar 19, 2011
And the GOP is at looking to cut or cancel another such "Federal Loan Guarantee" Solar Project, as the LA Times recently reported. This one will end 4000 new California Jobs ...
House members probe $535-million loan guarantee by Obama Energy Dept. for Solyndra solar plant
Andrew Malcolm, LATimes.com -- February 23, 2011
On Sept. 9 that year in a special closed-circuit TV program for the groundbreaking of Solyndra's new plant, Vice President Joe "Recovery Summer" Biden announced the signing of the $535-million federal loan guarantee, the Energy Department's first under the stimulus plan.
Joe said, "These jobs are the jobs that are going to define the 21st century that will allow America to compete and to lead like we did in the 20th century.”
The money would finance construction of a Solyndra facility, creating 3,000 construction jobs and 1,000 full-time positions in the modern plant making photovoltaic solar panels.
[...]
But now Fred Upton and Cliff Stearns, chairmen of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Oversight Subcommittee, have been examining the company's financials and the possibility of waste and fraud.
Why does the GOP Hate Solar Energy?
Do they really want America to be dependent on unreliable and expensive sources of Foriegn Oil --
Forever? ... or just until they themselves are out of Office?
Forward-Looking Americans, want to know.