Global solar installations set record (Sacramento)

Even during a dismal economy, solar photovoltaic installations reached a record in 2009, according to SolarBuzz.

A record 6.43 gigawatts were installed last year, a 6 percent increase compared to 2008, with a majority of the growth in Europe, according to the industry report. The photovoltaic industry generated $38 billion in revenue last year worldwide, an 8 percent increase from 2008.

European countries accounted for 74 percent — or 4.75 gigawatts — of the installations last year. Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic were a large majority of the growth in Europe, with Italy becoming the second-largest market.

The United States became the third-largest market for installations at 485 megawatts, a 36 percent increase compared to 2008, according to SolarBuzz.

Read the full story in the Sacramento Business Journal.