Some parts of the country are seeing an upswing in green jobs thanks to the growing popularity of renewable energy options such as solar panels and wind turbines.

One organization, the Portland-Vancouver Regional Partners Council for Economic Development, recent highlighted some of the economic benefits that the wind and solar energy industries have delivered to the Pacific Northwest.

"Despite the economic downturn, a number of companies in the Portland Vancouver region have made new investments to expand services and products into the solar and wind arenas. It's a strategic move that is already benefitting many local businesses," said Gillian Floren, CEO of Greenlight Greater Portland.

Among the region's solar energy achievements are a $200 million solar manufacturing plant that Solexant opened in Gresham, Oregon, as well as the 210,000 square foot manufacturing expansion that SolarWorld undertook in Hillsboro, Oregon.

The announcement also noted that SolarWorld and SanyoSolar are two other companies that have made substantial investments in the region's manufacturing capabilities. The region is also home to Vestas Wind Systems, which is said to be the world's largest manufacturer of wind turbines in the world.