HAPPY SOLAR DAY

It’s Easy Being Green: Celebrate International Solar Day
June 15, 2011 (Center for American Progress)

"…Saturday, June 18, millions of people in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom will join the solar power movement to push for energy reform and raise awareness of solar power’s benefits…

"America is falling behind in the clean energy race: China invests $12 billion per month in clean energy, while clean energy initiatives in America are under attack in New York and elsewhere. Yet the global market for efficient and renewable energy technologies will likely reach $2 trillion by 2020…America had only 6 percent of the solar world market in 2008 despite engineering the first solar cells. The Recovery Act of 2009 appropriated $7 billion for clean energy reform, but this is only the beginning…"

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"Solar power could help jump-start America’s movement toward a clean energy economy, a stable climate, and secure energy sources…[It] can provide jobs and attract investors…Steadily falling prices mean that solar power could be cheaper than fossil fuels in five years. Solar photovoltaics are easy to install, energy efficient, and could even positively affect our national security by reducing dependence on foreign oil."

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"…SolarDay 2011..[s]ponsors include the UN NGO Committee on Sustainable Development, the American Sustainable Business Council, and the Earth Institute of Columbia University. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has pledged her support for SolarDay, as has Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA)…

"...[ The SolarDay 2011 Website has]…details about events, information about solar power and sustainable energy, and how to plan your SolarDay 2011…Anyone can hold a SolarDay 2011 event…Event highlights include the 14th Annual Congressional Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency EXPO and forum in Washington, D.C., as well as a solar power fair in New Orleans featuring various environmental nonprofits and solar contractors…"