During an appearance at California solar company Solyndra on Monday, Obama noted that in the mid-1990s, the United States produced about 40 percent of the world's solar panels. Now, that figure has fallen to only about 5 percent.
With that in mind, the president noted that the facility has was visiting in Fremont was being developed with help from government loans, and that as many as 1,000 workers may be employed at the manufacturing plant in the future. Obama also noted that construction of the factory has also delivered employment for some 3,000 construction workers and others who are involved in various ways with the project.
"That's why we've placed a big emphasis on clean energy. It's the right thing to do for our environment, it's the right thing to do for our national security, but it's also the right thing to do for our economy," said Obama.
The president's speech comes at a time when cities around the country are looking to companies in the clean energy sector to bring badly needed jobs and other financial benefits.
