Solar power firms add 481 megawatts in 2009

4/16/2010

U.S. solar power developers including Toledo-born First Solar Inc. and SunPower Corp. added 481 megawatts of the renewable energy last year, according to the Solar Energy Industry Association.

The increase brought U.S. solar electric capacity to 2,108 megawatts, the group said in a report. In 2008, the industry added 351 megawatts. Investments in rooftop and ground-mount solar systems jumped 36 percent to $4 billion, adding about 17,000 construction and manufacturing jobs.