Sept. 2 2009 – Near the most recent solar addition to Colorado State University’s campus, renewable energy leaders from throughout Colorado met to champion the rapidly growing renewable energy sector. Jim Welch, founder and CEO of Bella Energy, attended the event:

All seven speakers from across the state agreed the renewable-energy sector is growing at a rapid rate, and with the right legislation, Colorado is well-positioned to capitalize on the renewable revolution Bella Energy CEO Jim Welch dubbed as big as the IT industry.

Welch, who provides solar solutions to companies, said he saw a 210 percent compound annual growth in business when Amendment 37 passed in 2004 instituting a new Renewable Standard Portfolio, which requires 10 percent of electricity produced by the state to come from renewable sources by 2015.

“You pay a little bit more to build a market … that will pay back over the next 20 to 30 years, and you will build the industry for your kids,” Welch said. “Solar can be decentralized and integrated in the grid.”

Welch projected that Colorado’s renewable-energy sector is one of the state’s fastest growing industries with $1.1 billion in revenue and 10,000 jobs this year. He projected that by 2030, that number could grow to $13 billion and 113,000 jobs. FROM: coloradoan.com

Tags: Bella News, Solar News