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Posted: Tuesday, June 19th, 2012 8:50 AM HST

Solar energy market booming in Hawaii

By Ken Hupp - 67AM KPUA News

Hawai`i's booming solar energy market is proving to be a tonic for the state's ailing construction sector. A mix of homegrown solar companies, construction firms, electrical contractors and entrants from the mainland are all boosting their payrolls to meet the growing demand from homeowners and businesses for rooftop photovoltaic (PV) systems. Last week’s report from the Solar Energy Industry Association found Hawai`i is expected to be among the nation's leaders in PV installations again this year after strong growth in the first quarter. And construction jobs are on track to begin growing this year after four straight years of declines, according to a forecast from the University of Hawai`i Economic Research Organization.