Executive Order Sets Example for Creating Jobs and Economic Activity through Solar Development

For Immediate Release

January 13, 2010

SEIA Applauds Governor Richardson's Plan to Make New Mexico a Solar Leader

Executive Order Sets Example for Creating Jobs and Economic Activity through Solar Development

WASHINGTON - Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), today released the following statement on New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's executive order aimed at making New Mexico the center of the North American solar industry and a leader in renewable energy export.

"We applaud Governor Richardson's recognition that New Mexico has the abundant solar resources to become a net exporter of solar energy and the center of the North American solar industry. These are steps that all 50 states can take and we encourage them to follow Governor Richardson's lead by harnessing their rich solar resources and creating tens of thousands of jobs in the process. New Mexico, with a business friendly environment and world-class solar resources, is quickly becoming an important hub in the Southwest for solar manufacturing, installation and project development with companies such as SCHOTT Solar, eSolar, First Solar and others helping to deploy solar and fuel the local economy. Despite the recession, New Mexico's solar industry truly represents an economic bright spot and Governor Richardson should be commended for helping to stimulate this growth.

"Governor Richardson's leadership has helped steer New Mexico toward a strong economic future based on solar energy. With today's announcement, New Mexico can lead the nation toward a bright and secure energy future."

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Background Resources:
All 50 states can be net exporters of solar energy. See the vibrant solar markets in the U.S. in SEIA's 2008 Solar Industry Year in Review: http://seia.org/galleries/pdf/2008_Year_in_Review-small.pdf

There are more than 190 companies in New Mexico are active in the solar energy business.
Utilities in New Mexico will be required to generate 4 percent of their electricity from solar by 2020, one of the more aggressive commitments in the country. Solar Companies in New Mexico: http://www.seia.org/galleries/State_Fact_Sheets_2009/New%20Mexico_10.27.pdf


About SEIA:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of solar energy industry. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 member companies to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy. Learn more at www.seia.org.

Follow SEIA President & CEO Rhone Resch on Twitter: http://twitter.com/RhoneResch
See SEIA on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/thesolarindustry) and become a fan on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Solar-Energy-Industries-Association/112495296809). Read the Solar Bill of Rights at http://www.SolarBillofRights.org.

Media Contact:
Monique Hanis, 202.556.2885, mhanis@seia.org
Jared Blanton, 202.556.2886, jblanton@seia.org
Mark Sokolove, Tigercomm, 703.302.8382, mark@tigercomm.us