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Solar Energy Trade Reports Are Bright

According to a new report, U.S. Solar Energy Trade Assessment 2011, prepared for SEIA, the production of solar products and installations making significant strides. Here are some key findings:

• The U.S. is a significant net exporter of solar energy products with total net exports of $1.9 billion in 2010.
• The U.S. is a net exporter to China by more than $240 million.
• The largest solar energy export product is polysilicon, the feedstock for crystalline silicon photovoltaics, of which the U.S. exported $2.5 billion in 2010.
• The second largest solar energy export product is PV capital equipment, the manufacturing equipment for PV products, of which the U.S. exported $1.4 billion in 2010.
• The largest solar energy import product is the PV module, of which the U.S. imported $2.4 billion in 2010.
• The number of U.S. solar energy installations in 2010 created a combined $6.0 billion in direct value, of which $4.4 billion (74%) accrued to the U.S.
• 82% ($3.6 billion) of the domestic value created by solar in the U.S. came from the PV sector
• 9% ($419 million) came from the concentrating solar sector
• 9% ($400 million) came from the solar heating and cooling sector

For more, view the first quarter solar market insight report.

Post Written by Raina Russo
For Raina Brett Russo, taking care of the environment is a necessity, not an option. Having grown up in Israel, a place where conservation is required and solar hot water heating is the norm, Raina knows the importance of solar energy. Through her work with the EcoOutfitters.net team, Raina found a way to help grow the solar industry in a significant way. As the founder and host of #SolarChat, a bi-monthly "gathering" on Twitter, Raina and her team have created an engaged solar think-tank community that comes together regularly for collaboration and networking with the ultimate goal in mind of spreading the solar message.