Happy Earth Day!

On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day, there was virtually no solar energy powering the grid in the U.S. Today, there are 7.7 gigawatts (GW) of solar installed in the U.S. – enough to power more than 1.2 million American homes – and 5.2 GW are expected to be installed this year.

This Earth Day, we want to celebrate all of the people who have worked tirelessly on rooftops, in factories, and in the labs to get us here. Each of them doing their part to move this country towards a cleaner, more secure, and more sustainable energy supply.

We’re also celebrating a big achievement in Springfield, Ohio where a major American business, which employs more than 2,000 people, is turning on a solar system that will allow it to generate virtually all of its electricity from the sun.  

"Solar is clean and, once up and running, costs virtually nothing. It will not cause respiratory illness in children and folks with compromising respiratory conditions and most of all, it will not cause global warming - the greatest threat to life on our planet."

--Wilma Bradbeer, VA
Assurant Specialty Property – one of the Springfield/Dayton area’s largest employers – has persistently pursued its vision of sustainability and has invested in a state-of-the-art solar facility, which will produce more than 1.9 million kilowatts of solar power annually.

This kind of success story is happening all over the nation as businesses and homeowners go solar. The 5,600 businesses and 119,000 workers that make up the solar industry are rolling up their sleeves and working hard every day to harness the unlimited power of the sun.

Why are they doing it? Because it makes business sense. Because it creates jobs. Because it contributes to a cleaner environment. See what they’ve said and add your voice.

So, this Earth Day, thank them by joining our voice in state legislatures, governors’ offices, and on Capitol Hill. See what the solar industry is advocating in 2013 and sign our petition. 

Thank you for all that you do,
Rhone Resch
CEO and President 
Solar Energy Industries Association