The US Energy Department awarded nearly $60million through the SunShot Initiative at the end of October to support innovative solar research and development to help lower the cost of solar electricity, advance seamless grid integration, and support a growing U.S. solar workforce. The U.S. solar industry employs about 119,000 workers at more than 5,600 companies across every state. Since 2010, the solar industry has created nearly 20,000 new American jobs. Over the last three years, the cost of a solar energy system has dropped by more than 70 percent, helping to give more families and businesses access to affordable, clean energy.