Every indication suggests that U.S. consumers will continue to purchase more and more photovoltaic panels and other solar energy products in the coming years. However, there is growing concern that less of those products will be manufactured in the United States, despite the best efforts of state and federal lawmakers.

A recent report by Bloomberg News focused on a decision by BP to close a solar manufacturing plant in Frederick, Maryland because of costs, eliminating about 320 jobs in the process.

The financial news provider noted that several prominent solar companies have taken U.S. government funds to create green jobs, only to end up hiring far more people in manufacturing positions at overseas plants in countries like China and Malaysia.

For consumers, this means that photovoltaic panel prices are likely to remain low, especially in light of a global recession that has already reduced prices, and in some cases, demand, in various markets.

For U.S. policymakers though, the big question from these trends in the solar industry may be whether the promise of green jobs has enough potential to make a significant economic dent in the country's fiscal problems, or whether it will be the latest manufacturing sector to see jobs flow to low-paid overseas workers.