Environmental group releases report on solar power benefits

PORTLAND, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Environment Maine is pushing for state leaders to include solar power in Maine's future energy plans.

Representatives of Environment Maine released a report Tuesday highlighting the benefits and potential use of solar energy. They say the sun produces more energy in an hour than all of the coal mines and oil wells do in a year. They also point out that solar energy is cheap, clean and easily accessible.

The report outlines a way for the United States to get 10 percent of its energy from the sun by 2030.

Environment Maine's field associate, Grant Harris, says by investing money in research and development of solar energy, the costs will come down.

"A misconception is that solar technology is expensive and that's true-- it is more expensive than some technologies like wind or coal," says Harris, "but the cost of solar becomes increasingly cheaper as production expands, so it will only get cheaper in the long run."