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http://www.solardaily.com/reports/Increased_Use_Of_Solar_Power_Could_Add_120000_New_Jobs_By_2030_999.htmlIC2 Institute study finds solar energy brings technology-related and manufacturing jobs to Texas
by Staff Writers
Austin, Texas (SPX) Jul 10, 2007
Development of the solar energy industry in Texas would have a significant economic impact for consumers, the environment and workers, according to a new white paper released by the IC2 Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. Opportunity on the Horizon: Photovoltaics in Texas finds that the near-term benefits of nurturing the solar energy industry in Texas will stimulate the state's economy, reduce the cost of power for consumers and minimize green-house gas emissions.
"The white paper finds the potential for economic growth in Texas through the creation of a vibrant solar power industry," said Joel Serface, director of the Clean Energy Incubator at The University of Texas at Austin and a contributor to the report. "Worldwide, the cost of converting sunlight to electricity is rapidly decreasing. The right public policies, combined with emerging and increasingly efficient technologies in solar power, would create a solid opportunity for Texas to build an economic engine on this non-polluting resource."
The paper cites a recent University of California-Berkeley study that finds the solar industry produces seven to 11 times as many jobs on a megawatt capacity basis as coal-fired power plants and has a larger positive trickle-down effect than wind energy.
"Solar-produced power appears to have the greatest potential of all the alternative energy technologies," said Pearce W. Hammond, vice president, Simmons and Company International, an investment bank specializing in the energy industry. "Given its solar assets, Texas should excel in this field and potentially become a world-leader in solar technology, implementation, related jobs and production."
Estimates suggest Texas could generate 123,000 new high-wage, technology-related, advanced manufacturing and electrical services jobs by 2020 by actively moving toward solar power. It is predicted these jobs would be created across the entire state as large solar farms grow in West Texas, silicon plants develop along the Gulf Coast and manufacturing centers appear in Central Texas.
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In a recent survey, 84 percent of Texas power consumers responded favorably to the question, "Do you think the Texas Legislature should encourage investment in solar power in Texas?" Worldwide, investors are confident in the future of solar power. The solar industry grew to $10.6 billion in revenues in 2006 and is estimated to be greater than $30 billion, with some analyst estimates as high as $72 billion for the entire solar value chain by 2010.
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As George Harrison wrote, "Here comes the sun and I say, it's alright."