Solar Jobs Boom in the USA

SOLAR ENERGY JOBS BOOM IN THE USAUSA President Obama today signed the USD $787 billion American Recovery and

Reinvestment Act 2009 into law. The US solar energy industry has rejoiced

over the package as USD $43 billion will be spent in the energy sector;

with a sizeable chunk dedicated to solar power.Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) President & CEO Rhone Resch

stated 67,000 solar power related jobs in 2009 are expected to be created

and a total of 119,000 jobs over the next two years as a result of the

package, putting Americans back to work installing solar panels,

manufacturing components and constructing solar farms.Three aspects of the stimulus package critical to the industry included

grants equal to 30 percent of the cost of qualifying large and small solar

projects started in the next two years, a loan guarantee program to get

much needed funding moving for renewable energy projects and a

manufacturing tax credit whereby a 30-percent credit for equipment to

manufacture renewable energy components will be available.The solar power push in the USA will provide benefits to other countries as

well through increased research and development that can lead to more

efficient solar panels, deep cycle batteries and other renewable energy

components.US consumers won't miss out either as home owners will be able to write off

30% of the cost of a solar power system on their federal tax bill. While

this has been the case for some time, under the new laws there won't be any

cap on system size.The wind energy industry will also continue to be strongly supported with

$13 billion in the form of a three-year extension of the tax break for big

wind projects.President Obama's goal is to double the production alternative energy in

the next three years and to ensure 10 percent of electricity comes from

renewable sources by 2012 extending to 25 percent by 2025.To read the source article on Energy Matters please click hereFor the latest in renewable energy jobs please click here