Industry Bullish about Solar Power-Columbus Poised to Take Advantage

While others simply talk about solar power, Columbus has been taking concrete action to attract green energy businesses to the city.   With local alliances, tax incentives, industry and government programs – the City of Columbus hopes to attract solar power installation and manufacturing companies to the region.

In 2011, solar electric was the fastest growing industry in America. The industry currently consists of over 5,000 companies employing over 100,000 workers in the US.  Projections indicate that over the next two years, tens of thousands more jobs will be added to industries working in and about solar power.  Columbus hopes to take part in this rapid growth.  Nationwide, the solar industry experienced a 69% growth rate over the past twelve months.

In a recent survey conducted by Kelton Research,  when asked about solar power Columbus residents mirrored national results where nine out of ten (89%) of those responding felt it important for the nation to develop and use solar energy systems.

Greenfield Warns Solar Growth is Fragile

In a recent article appearing in the Toledo Blade (November 23, 2011), Third Sun Solar CEO Michelle Greenfield warned that the rapid growth that the industry has enjoyed in recent years could evaporate if governmental incentives are allowed to lapse.

“The industry is strong and the future looks very bright indeed,” Greenfield noted, “but while most consumers are just now really learning about solar power Columbus and Washington lawmakers are considering eliminating programs that have been spectacularly successful in helping to build the industry over recent years.”

She noted that recent growth has created a solar power industry with 3,100 megawatts (MW) of generating capacity nationwide – enough to power 630,000 homes.  It is estimated that within three years the US will be the world’s largest consumer of solar power products.

Greenfield observed that the solar industry is one of the few industries that is still a net exporter to China, sending more than $2 billion in product overseas than it imports.

If you are interested in learning more about solar power in Columbus or other Ohio incentive programs, or other statewide green energy initiatives – there is a wide variety of information available at www.greenenergyohio.org.