Today, solar power in America is growing rapidly, and poised to grow explosively. Advances in technology, manufacturing and financing are bringing us to the cusp of a solar revolution in America.

In the limited areas where solar insolation is sufficiently intense and consistent, concentrating forms of solar power have the potential to reach grid-parity economics the soonest. The economics of photovoltaic technology, however, continue to improve through a combination of increased silicon manufacturing capacity (easing silicon supply constraints), increased PV module manufacturing capacity (easing solar panel supply constraints) and new thin film and other technologies requiring far less or no silicon (greatly decreasing input costs). While solar power had traditionally been the most expensive of the leading renewable energy technologies that is no longer the case. Rapid changes in solar market economics have seen solar becoming not only economically viable but, in certain areas of the country, the leading choice for renewables.

Still, efficient financial structuring to fully utilize all available incentives is absolutely critical to successful solar project development. And, that is why Allco’s activities in the solar area include both strategic investments in solar companies with which we can work synergistically, through joint ventures and utilizing our financial structuring capabilities, as well as incubation of independent solar development efforts.

Allco was an early investor and principal shareholder, alongside Goldman Sachs and MissionPoint Capital, in SunEdison LLC. SunEdison is now one of the largest integrators and installers of solar power systems in the United States, focused on large commercial and municipal systems as well as utility-scale projects, and the company and its markets are growing rapidly. Allco was instrumental in implementing new forms of financing for SunEdison’s projects. In late 2009, SunEdison was acquired by MEMC Corporation, a leader in the semiconductor industry. For more information, see www.sunedison.com.

Together with SJF Ventures, the Calvert Funds and NGP Energy Technology Partners, Allco is also one of the shareholders in groSolar, a Vermont-based solar distributor, integrator and installer primarily focused on the residential and small commercial markets nationwide. For more information, see www.groSolar.com.

Minnesota-based Ecos Energy, LLC, Allco’s principal vehicle for wind energy development, has also become involved in solar development efforts, with projects currently under development in the Midwest as well as on the East and West Coasts.