A study from the nonpartisan Brookings Institute in Washington suggests that the United Staes' Mountain West could develop a series of hubs for solar installation, research and innovation. Citing the presence of knowledge and industrial hubs in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, New Mexico, Utah and Nevada, Brookings recommended investment and partnership with the federal government.
The paper, entitled 'Centers of Invention: Leveraging the Mountain West Innovation Complex for Energy System Transformation,' points out that the history of clean energy innovation dates back decades to the construction of massive hydroelectric dam projects across the West.
'In the spirit of the earlier land-grant university paradigm, the new network would involve the region's research universities and national labs and invoke strong participation from industry, entrepreneurs, and investors as well as state and local government. Each individual breakthrough center would have a different theme,' wrote Mark Muro, a senior fellow and policy director at Brookings.
Arizona and Colorado have particularly strong solar panel industries. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is located in the latter state, and both Arizona State University and the University of Arizona are driving innovation in solar research.
The state also has a strong private-sector presence, with First Solar, Kyocera Solar, Integrated Solar and Stirling Systems all calling the state home.
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A study from the nonpartisan 
