The funding from, the Department of Energy’s Recovery Act, will go to two solar companies.

The furst, Abengoa Solar, has agreed to build, what Mr Obama says will be ‘one of the largest’ solar plants in the world in Arizona, which will also create about 1,600 construction jobs.

Once completed, the Arizona plant will be the first large-scale solar plant in the US to actually store the energy it generates for later use – even at night, and it will generate enough clean, renewable energy to power 70,000 homes.

The second firm Abound Solar Manufacturing is building two new plants, one in

Colorado and a second in Indiana – in what’s currently an empty Chrysler factory.

When fully operational, these plants will produce millions of state-of-the-art solar panels each year.

Mr Obama said: “After years of watching companies build things and create jobs overseas, it’s good news that we’ve attracted a company to our shores to build a plant and create jobs right here in America.

“I’ve seen once-shuttered factories humming with new workers who are building solar panels and wind turbines; rolling up their sleeves to help America win the race for the clean energy economy.

“So that’s some of what we’re doing, but the truth is, steps like these won’t replace all the jobs we’ve lost overnight.

“I know folks are struggling. I know this Fourth of July weekend finds many Americans wishing things were a bit easier right now. I do too.”

Luke Walsh

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