SOLAR INDUSTRY SHAKES OFF THE RECESSION

Solar industry is heating up again after stumbling during recession…

Mark Glover, November 8, 2014 (Sacramento Bee)

"The solar power industry, viewed more than a decade ago as a game-changing, jobs-producing juggernaut in California, took its lumps during the recession…But now it’s coming back with a vengeance, both here and globally…[G]rowth is fueled partly by a sunnier economy, falling manufacturing costs, federal tax incentives and increasing consumer and corporate enthusiasm for renewable energy…[T]he U.S. Department of Energy shows that the United States currently has about 16 gigawatts of installed solar power, or enough to power more than 3 million average American homes…

“China’s solar power supply is more than 23 gigawatts, and it has set a goal of 35 gigawatts in 2015. Japan surpassed 14 gigawatts early this year and is working toward a goal of doubling that by 2020…[Many foresee] solar’s growth path [as] similar to what the mobile phone industry experienced nearly a generation ago…[But] Japan solar investors who were betting on relatively high renewable-energy rates over the long term are now voicing concerns…[German] solar power installations have declined for two years…[though] a handful of major U.S. companies are now offering their workers substantial discounts on solar installations for their homes, making it another employee benefit like health care…” click here for more

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