According to a new report from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), overall U.S. solar electric capacity grew by a 37 percent margin in 2009, with total industry revenue reaching $4 billion - which was a 36 percent increase over 2008 figures. The increases were reported in both solar thermal and photovoltaic technologies.
"When the President looks back at how stimulus dollars were invested, he’s going to see that solar was one of the best returns on investments in 2009 for the American taxpayers. In addition to strong policies at the state and federal level, solar’s growth was driven by the emergence of new business models and declining prices," said SEIA president Rhone Resch.
The organization noted in its announcement that along with enjoying substantial growth in 2009, the solar energy industry also added 17,000 new jobs to the nation's economy, bringing the total number of industry workers to 46,000.
Resch also predicted that 2010 will be a "breakout" year for the solar energy industry.
