"When it comes to fighting climate change – the world's most serious long-term environmental threat – it's critically important for the United States to lead by example"

WASHINGTON, DC - Vowing to do its part, the U.S. solar energy industry is "uniquely positioned" to help America meet its goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, according to Rhone Resch, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Today, the White House unveiled a blueprint for reducing greenhouse gases in the U.S. by up to 28 percent by 2025, with SEIA pledging its support to help meet those goals.

"When it comes to fighting climate change – the world's most serious long-term environmental threat – it's critically important for the United States to lead by example," Resch said. "The White House's new plan does exactly that, and we applaud President Obama for his persistence and determination to reach a meaningful climate change accord, which will benefit the world for generations to come. Today, we stand fully committed. The U.S. solar energy industry, and its 174,000 American workers, are ready to assist in any way possible to help reduce damaging greenhouse gas emissions. And one of the best ways to do that is to greatly expand the use of clean, reliable and affordable solar energy nationwide. Last year alone, solar helped to offset 22.3 million metric tons of harmful carbon emissions, which is the equivalent of taking 4.7 million cars off U.S. highways and roads or saving 2.5 billion gallons of gasoline. For states looking to meet new obligations under the EPA's Clean Power Plan, solar energy can be a real game changer."

Today, the U.S. has more than 20 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar capacity nationwide – enough to power more than 4 million American homes – with another 20 GW expected to be added by the end of 2016.