In 2007, the U.S. solar energy industry saw a glimpse of a gigawatt future.       There was significant growth in the commercial and residential photovoltaic (PV) markets and a new utility-scale segment for PV emerged with the fastest growth of all segments representing over  15  percent  of  the  annual  U.S.  installed  PV  capacity.  The  first  concentrating  solar power plant was built in more than 15 years with dozens more utility-scale projects in the pipeline. The expansion of the solar water heating market continued. Thousands of U.S. jobs were created and billions of dollars were invested. And, the industry strengthened its  presence in Washington and our united coalition support across the country.   Solar continues to provide a cost-effective solution for daytime energy needs as well as provide peak
shaving benefits.  But for all the potential, the industry continues to face a growing threat.  As the year ended, Congress had failed to pass an extension of the Investment Tax Credit, putting at risk much of the progress that the industry has experienced in the last two years. While analysts have acknowledged recent growth and remain bullish about the future of solar energy, this growth will be disrupted if the solar ITC expires in December. Indeed, many larger projects are already being put on hold. The industry remains determined to pass an extension of the ITC as soon as possible.

                      Photovoltaics

                      The U.S. continues to lead the world in the manufacture of both next-generation thin-film technologies and the polysilicon feedstock used in most PV applications. U.S. PV manufacturing grew by 74 percent this year and U.S. PV installations grew by 45 percent this year to 150  MW-dc (grid-tied only), both among the fastest growth rates in the world.