Even though this metro area is pushing a million, Tucson is still partly a farming town.

Cotton and climate have historically been stars of the “5 Cs” of Arizona commerce. Cotton farms still dot the landscape from Marana to Green Valley. Yet today it is climate that’s giving rise to a whole new economic driver in the desert – harvesting the sun.

With more than 50 solar companies in the metro area, Tucson is already known as an emerging solar hub and the area welcomes new solar business. The solar industry has an overall economic impact of $400 million, directly and indirectly supporting more than 2,000 jobs and $109 million in payroll according to TREO.

“This region has the golden sun-drenched potential to become the world leader in solar energy technology development and manufacturing,” said Joe Snell, TREO’s president and CEO.

With 350 days of sunshine each year – and one of the nation’s top research universities right in our backyard – it’s no surprise that solar energy companies across the globe recognize the promise of Tucson.

That’s why TREO focuses on solar as a key industry in its economic development blueprint for attracting and retaining high-wage jobs to the region.

The stakes for solar industry in this region are high. With a projected federal investment of