San Antonio Express-News

As the United States continues a slow climb out of economic difficulty, one industry continues its steady ascent — the solar energy industry. And with more than 224 sunny days last year in San Antonio alone, Texas could play a big role in this ascent now and in the years to come.

In the past five years, the U.S. solar energy industry has experienced sustained growth thanks to rising demand, falling costs and new financing options. Since 2008, the amount of solar powering our homes, businesses and military bases has more than quadrupled, from 1,100 megawatts to more than 6,400 megawatts today. That is enough to power more than one million average American households.