Supporters of a federal grant program encouraging investment in the U.S. solar industry are aiming to have it extended beyond the end of this year, when it is scheduled to expire, Reuters reports.

Part of the exigency to beating the end-of-the-year deadline is capitalizing on the lame duck Congress because Republicans, who will take control of the U.S. House of Representatives, are less supportive of the renewable energy in general and President Obama's energy policy in particular.

"We have to continue to invest in clean energy, so we're also calling on Congress to extend a program that has been really successful," Vice President Joe Biden said.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, 1,000 megawatts of new solar capacity have been installed in the U.S. thus far this year, which helps sustain thousands of construction and installation jobs as well as powering as many as 220,000 homes. Those statistics more than double figures from 2009 and approximately triple numbers from 2008.

The Recovery Act enabled consumers to apply for cash grants rather than tax credits. To secure grants, construction of projects must begin by December 31 otherwise consumers will be eligible for a tax credit.