While many people begin to look back on 2009 and see a single defining moment -the economy- I see a number of trends that are beginning to take hold.

By all means, the recession of 2009 was a major event and there’s no denying the fact that it was the singular driving force in play this year. With massive layoffs, unemployment, housing foreclosures, bank failures and the crippling of the US auto industry, how could it be anything less? However, from my perspective, this gigantic economic hurricane has actually helped to accelerate the development of several other storms that had been quietly forming over the past few years. Some of these factors, while they may seem like relatively minor players under the shadow of current bleak economic times, will likely eclipse the recession in terms of their long term impact on our society.

Take hybrid and electric powered vehicles, for example. While the Toyota Prius has been with us for some years, the third generation of this vehicle was recently introduced and it is being produced and sold in sufficient quantities to start hitting the mainstream consumer. Honda has introduced a direct competitor and all the car companies, regardless of their current status, have moved quickly to fast track hybrids, or electric vehicles like the GM Volt.

After record prices only last year, oil dropped precipitously in price, but there are few people who care to speculate that this is anything but a temporary blip in prices. A combination of technological advancements, increasing oil prices and a growing public awareness about global warming has finally brought the perfect storm for solar power to begin making inroads. A city like Philadelphia that currently requires upwards of 8,500 megawatts of power is going to face demands on its electrical grid as consumers recover and resume buying big screen TVs, computers and electronic gadgets. Global warming sees scenarios where summer heat extremes increase, meaning more demand for air conditioning. And when those electrical cars come online, they’ll be plugged in and drawing power too. The increased demand means more electrical power will be required, but with fossil fuel supplies declining, generation will have to come from somewhere else if it’s going to be affordable.

What better solution than solar installation in Philadelphia, supplying power directly to where it’s needed: homes and businesses? Through grants and tax credits, governments have recognized the need for additional power, the advantages of solar and the technological advancements that have made this alternative, green energy practical.