Sun power

Solar energy is another renewable technology that figures to make big gains in Utah with the tax credit restored. Given its relative ease of installation, solar power representatives are planning for significant growth.

"I would think this will enhance the momentum going forward," said Orrin Farnsworth, president of the Utah Solar Association. "There are a number of projects in the works. ... When you tie those things together with what's already in place with the federal credit, we're forecasting big growth. We're predicting 30 to 50 percent growth in the solar industry for the next two years; annual growth has been around 25 to 30 percent."

With the tax credit in place, proponents of renewable energy say the technologies need to get some word of mouth going before they will be widely embraced by the general public.

"I think that education is very important," said Sarah Wright, executive director of Utah Clean Energy. "These technologies are here now, they're ready to go, so if citizens can understand how they work, (the technology) can help them be more energy independent."

The installation of wind farms is seen by many as a watershed moment for renewable energy in Utah, as it will allow people to see the technology up close.

"If you can drive down the street and see a wind turbine and know that every time it goes around, that's less oil we need to import, that's what we're hoping for," Gaynor said.

Wright said the next step the state can take to get behind renewable energy is to create a renewable energy standards portfolio, which would require public utilities to obtain a set percentage of their power from renewable sources. Such standards are in place in 22 states.

"It's kind of like when you have an investment portfolio," Wright said, "you wouldn't want all of your investments in one sector, and right now, 95 percent of our energy comes from coal."

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E-mail: jtwitchell@desnews.com