The Solar Industry Commends President Obama’s #SOTU Commitment to Clean Energy

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following is a statement from Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), in response to President Obama’s State of the Union Address: 

“In his final State of the Union, President Obama made it abundantly clear that solar energy is a key solution for America as we usher in the era of clean energy development.

“Since the president took office in 2009, the cost of solar energy has dropped by more than 70 percent, there’s 30 times the amount of solar generation and our industry has created 173,000 American jobs. Solar energy growth will continue because it is affordable, improves the air we breathe and creates strong American jobs.

“As the President noted, solar development is saving American households millions of dollars every year in energy costs, and those savings will continue to accumulate year after year. The next president will benefit from this domestic economic engine. Between 2016 and 2020, our industry will pump $132 billion into the American economy and solar generation will quadruple, supplying enough electricity to power 20 million homes.

“Today, nearly 209,000 Americans work in the U.S. solar industry, according to a report issued today by The Solar Foundation. One in every 83 new jobs in 2015 was a solar job and within five years, there will be 420,000 Americans working in the solar industry.

“As an industry, we look forward to carrying out President Obama’s vision for solar development during his final year in office and well beyond.”

 

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About SEIA®:

Celebrating its 41st anniversary in 2015, the Solar Energy Industries Association® is the national trade association of the U.S. solar energy industry. Through advocacy and education, SEIA® is building a strong solar industry to power America. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to champion the use of clean, affordable solar in America by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Visit SEIA online at www.seia.org.

Media Contact:

Alex Hobson, SEIA Press Officer & Communications Manager, ahobson@seia.org (202) 556-2886