In just a few short years, green businesses in the Tri-Counties have gone from small operations to inking some of the region’s largest investment deals and creating hundreds of jobs. And the industry’s leaders say 2010 is likely to increase the pace.

San Luis Obispo-based REC Solar has grown from a handful of employees in 2005 to 500 today, about 160 of them on the Central Coast. The firm, one of the largest installers of big solar projects on the tops of big-box stores and commercial buildings, estimates it will install 250 tri-county solar arrays in 2010.

“After a 2009 that saw some growth in the second half of the year but more difficult conditions in the first half of the year, in 2010 I believe we’ll have a very strong year,” said CEO Angiolo Laviziano. “For the Tri-Counties, a 30 to 50 percent growth rate is what we’re expecting.”

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