Solar Power International 2010 the nations’ largest solar exhibition  has broken attendance records and the US government seems to be paying attention as we all should.  The show highlighted Germanys’ success as a dominate player in the solar business which has been  reported here and elsewhere. It has installed half of all the solar projects globally in 2010. These large scale projects are significant both in economic benefit to people who are  employed, but there are also the environmental benefits of reducing greenhouse gases. US  Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar spoke at the Solar Power International 2010 Conference and Exhibition in Los Angeles, California. Following his remarks, Secretary Salazar signed a Record of Decision, approving the construction of Nevada’s first large-scale solar project on public lands.

“Good morning! Welcome to Solar Power International. And welcome to a key chapter in America’s New Energy Frontier as we move forward to stand up the largest solar projects in the world, right here in the United States! I want to thank Rhone Resch for his kind introduction. I also want to thank the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) and Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) for hosting this event. It’s an honor to be here.

Being at the largest solar conference and expo in North America gives you a real sense of possibility and promise. Just look around the exhibit floor at the pace at which your technologies are advancing. Or listen to the jobs report following my remarks to feel the momentum of this industry. Or better yet: look at the large-scale solar projects we at the Department of the Interior have approved for construction in the past two weeks alone. They are the firsts of their kind on public lands and some will be among the largest solar projects in the world. In Imperial County, California, we’ve

Financial services company Wells Fargo today announced a new incentive solar program to make it easier for home owners to go solar. As  you begin to stack on the federal, state and local incentives adding this additional plan makes installing a system even more attractive. As for Wells Fargo this latest initiative is aimed at helping its customers and the nation take advantage of clean renewable solar energy.

Mary Wetzel Wells Fargo Director of Environmental Affairs said, “As a community-based financial institution, one of the ways we can help is by offering financial solutions that help our customers save not only time and money, but also protect our environment.”“Through everyday actions and being aware of the ways our decisions affect the environment, we can all contribute to environmental protection and regeneration,”

The promotion is for qualified  Southern California customers who advance $15,000 or more from a home equity line or line of credit to finance a solar energy system for their home will receive up to $1,000 in incentives. Three solar companies are participating in the incentive – Acro Energy, REC Solar and Verengo Solar. Complete details of the California promotion are available at all Southern California Wells Fargo stores. Working with Colorado solar installers, the company is also presenting its Colorado customers with the $1,000 incentive through the end of the year.

Wells Fargo also provided more than $2 billion in tax equity financing projects around the country. It has installed solar panels in 10 Well Fargo Stores in Denver and supports the Environmental Finance Group, National Cleantech Commercial Banking Group, Clean Technology Investment Banking Group and the Sustainable Public Infrastructure Group; who are dedicated to developing opportunities and supporting businesses and municipalities in the growing clean technology sector.