Solar Industry Programs: Environmentally and Economically Friendly

A recent wide-ranging study released by the Solar Energies Industries Association (SEIA) has hailed the benefits of solar power not only in terms of environmental impact, but also in terms of its positive impact on the economy.

The study examined the role of solar in the current economy, particularly in light of the the current Treasury Grant Program and a tax credit program targeted towards solar manufacturing. The results of the study indicated that extending these programs would not only see a more wide-spread implementation of solar sources around the country, but would also result in the creation of some two hundred thousand new jobs within the industry.

Solar: bringing light to the darkness of unemployment?

Given the current issues with the economy and unemployment levels, funding the future of solar power around the country could have a widespread positive impact on employment levels, helping to support those not only within the solar industry, but also those in hard-hit supporting industries such as construction.

In addition to these jobs, increased emphasis on clean energy initiatives such as solar would encourage the creation of a variety of highly skilled and high paying roles that would offer a boost to the economy and would highlight America's efforts to move towards more efficient and cleaner approaches to energy distribution.

A wider implementation of solar

The extension of these programs would not only have widespread economic benefits, but would also see a vast increase in the amount of solar installations implemented across the nation. The research predicts that within the next five years, an additional 2 million homes in the US will be powered by solar energy. Over a dozen states are predicted to benefit from the additional energy production, with California and Arizona in particular seeing substantial increases.

An executive summary outlining the key points and recommendations of the research is available online at the Solar Energies Industries Association website.