LANSING – Solar energy has spawned a rapidly growing industry that offers businesses and homeowners the chance to be environmentally friendly and save money.

“I’ve been in this for over 25 years, and never has there been a bigger opportunity,” said Bill Guiney, manager of the water heating division of Solargenix Energy. “It’s become a totally different business than in the ’80s.”

Solargenix, a Chicago-based company, makes products for architects across the Midwest to reduce buildings’ energy consumption.

Its solar systems have been installed in firehouses, senior centers, homeless shelters and even Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Jennifer Alvarado, executive director of the nonprofit Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association in Dimondale, said, “A lot of people are interested in using green energy because it reduces pollution and offers energy independence. You can have your own electricity rather than belonging to a grid or electrical company.

“Demand is increasing because of our need to diversify the electrical energy supply. Michigan, and other parts of the Great Lakes region, is looking to take the burden off the fossil fuel industry.”

John Sarver, supervisor of technical assistance at the state Energy Office, said, “There’s a big difference in terms of energy efficiency. With solar systems, you can save money.”

Solar systems in a home or business can serve several purposes. The systems can power lighting, water heaters and appliances, from blenders to air conditioners. By using solar panels to harness the sun’s energy, systems also decrease electric bills.

Alvarado said, “Solar panel costs are expected to come down over time as we use more and more.”

She added that the state is processing and evaluating an energy plan to ensure fair installation and billing practices among homeowners and electrical utilities.

Guiney and Sarver both said tax credits play a large role in the expansion of the solar industry. Homeowners and businesses receive credits for installing solar systems or other environmentally friendly improvements.

“Tax credits really help. They encourage people to go that extra step and purchase a system,” Sarver said.

United Solar Ovonics, better known as Uni-Solar, is Michigan’s largest solar system producer and its “production is sold out for the next three years,” said Lisa Dancsok, senior vice president of marketing, communications and legislative affairs for the Michigan Economic Development Corp. The company is opening six factories in Greenville to accommodate the massive growth of the industry.

Solargenix’s Guiney said, “I see (the industry) going nothing but up.” Customers are “seeking us, rather than us seeking them.”

He also noted that the industry needs more factories and investors to handle the growth.

Sarver said, “There’s been a gradual increase in demand and production. The demand is greater than the supply right now.”

Alvarado said many American-made solar products are sold in Europe. “The U.S. is just getting enough (of the market) to feed the demand.”

She also said solar energy is expanding into the automobile industry.

“We’re looking at powering cars by solar electricity,” she said. “The technology is in the works. It’ll just take a little while before we see it as a real viable market solution.”