March 10, 2010

Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid today was named Solar Champion of the Year by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). Reid was given the award for his leadership in advancing the development of solar energy in Nevada and across the country. Nevada is blessed with an abundance of clean, renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind and geothermal. Reid has been working tirelessly to create jobs and diversify Nevada’s economy by making the state a leader in developing these clean energy resources.

“I thank the SEIA for this honor and I gladly accept it on behalf my fellow Nevadans and our state’s growing clean energy industry,” Reid said. “Coming from a state where the sun shines more than 300 days a year, solar power is a no brainer. I believe this renewable resource is the key to creating jobs and making Nevada energy independent, and I look forward to our continued work toward that goal.”

Presenting Reid with the Solar Champion award was Rhone Resch, President and CEO of SEIA; Kathy Weiss of First Solar; and Roger Efird of Suntech America, Inc.

“The solar industry has emerged as a job creation engine in Nevada and across the country due in large part to Senator Reid’s leadership,” said Rhone Resch, president of SEIA. “He played a major role in the inclusion of no fewer than 19 solar provisions in the economic stimulus bill and Nevada is on the leading edge of the clean energy economy. We are proud to name him SEIA’s 2009 Solar Energy Champion of the Year and we look forward to continuing our work with Senator Reid in 2010 to create tens of thousands of solar industry jobs.”