Solar sector brightens state's economy (TN)

[jpak]

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20111209/OPINION03/312090051/Solar-sector-brightens-state-s-economy

For the first time ever, the Tennessee Solar Institute has conducted a census of Tennessee’s solar power industry. The bottom line: It’s booming.

And as CEO of a fast-growing solar technology company, I want to underline the report’s most important theme: Solar power represents a real economic opportunity — one we cannot afford to miss.

Even in these rough economic times, solar is growing. Last year, for example, the solar sector grew 69 percent, and here in Tennessee, 15 new solar enterprises set up shop.

The Tennessee Solar Institute (TSI) report released on Thursday found that 236 for-profit and nonprofit entities make up our state’s solar sector. These range from long-established companies exploring a new market to entrepreneurial newcomers. Together, they represent the competitive cluster that can multiply economic opportunities.

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