Solar Energy Boom in Arizona

Solar-energy boom: Bright spot in Ariz. economy, Arizona Republic, by Barry Broome – Oct. 10, 2011 With more than 400 companies manufacturing, installing and distributing solar-energy products in our state, solar is one of the brightest spots in the Arizona economy, along with other renewable energies and clean technology.

In fact, in the last year alone about 6,300 jobs have been added to the more than 22,000 existing jobs in the renewable-energy and clean-tech industries – jobs helping families regain economic stability and helping Arizona claim its share of a bright, vibrant market.

Today, Arizona has about 160 megawatts of solar-energy capacity, enough to power more than 30,000 homes. First Solar, a leading developer of utility-scale solar projects, is constructing new photovoltaic power plants for NRG Energy and Arizona Public Service Co. while Abengoa Solar is building a concentrating solar power plant for APS.

Together, these projects will provide much-needed power and jobs for Arizonans hard hit during the recession. New Arizona manufacturing facilities scheduled to come online next year will yield even more jobs.

Arizona’s solar growth mirrors the story across the nation. More than 100,000 Americans are working in the U.S. solar industry today, according to an upcoming census from the Solar Foundation, double the number of solar jobs of just two years ago. Indeed, solar is one of the fastest-growing industries in the economy, experiencing 69 percent growth over the last year.

Roughly 5,000 companies span the U.S. solar-energy value chain. The vast majority of these companies are small businesses, the engines of growth slowed by the economic downturn.

Beyond being a boon for the economy, the solar industry is diversifying the nation’s energy portfolio. Growth in the industry has resulted in a total solar electric capacity of more than 3,100 megawatts – the energy it takes to power 630,000 homes. And as more solar energy is produced, prices for consumers will come down dramatically. In less than two years, the price of solar panels alone has dropped 30 percent, making solar an increasingly cost-effective option for American families and businesses.

And, defying the storyline that America doesn’t make or export anything anymore, the American solar industry is now a net exporter of solar equipment on the order of $2 billion. We’re even a net exporter to China.

Unfortunately, future jobs, economic growth and greater energy security through solar could be derailed if the federal government decides this energy source is no longer worth its support, as some in Congress have suggested.

Rescinding support for solar would be the wrong move at the wrong time. As our national economy continues to struggle, the U.S. solar industry is one of the few industries adding jobs today.

We’ve never needed jobs and a competitive global edge more than we do today, and the renewable-energy and clean-tech industries are adding on both fronts. But now Congress is considering ending critical programs that support these industries for the simple reason that one company that previously benefited from these programs has now declared bankruptcy.

To be sure, Congress should be selective about which companies benefit from government programs, but judging the health of an entire industry based on one company’s troubles is illogical at best, and could do great harm if allowed to slow an industry that is helping so many Americans.

The U.S. is projected to become the world’s largest solar market in just three years, and the solar industry alone is on track to add tens of thousands of new jobs over the coming years, many of them right here in Arizona.

For that vision to become a reality, however, we need government to reaffirm its long-term commitment to the solar, renewable-energy and clean-tech sectors through continued investments – just as it has supported the production of oil, gas, coal and nuclear energy – giving our country, our region and our economy the energy and jobs they need.