The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and SEMI have announced a partnership to help grow solar energy markets across the country. The expansion of solar furthers the missions of both organizations and directly assists their common members, manufacturers of solar energy products. Under the new partnership, SEIA and SEMI will collaborate on communications, events, policy and market research activities that promote solar energy.

"We welcome the opportunity of working closely with SEIA on our shared public policy objectives in the U.S." said Bettina Weiss, vice president, photovoltaic business unit, SEMI.

"I believe we will be in a better position to serve our respective member communities by strengthening our collective voice and by jointly driving efforts necessary to develop U.S. economic programs designed to retain and support manufacturing and employment."

"By sharing key resources," commented Tom Kimbis, Vice President of Strategy and External Affairs for SEIA, "SEIA and SEMI will be able to better address some of the complex issues facing the solar industry as well as promote new opportunities for solar manufacturing across America."

Today, solar energy is one of the fastest growing energy technologies in the United States. The U.S. solar industry now employs more than 100,000 Americans who work at more than 5,600 companies located in every state. U.S. solar electric capacity now totals more than 5,000 megawatts, enough to power about 775,000 American homes.