Solar energy has a positive impact in not only the solar economy, but the national economy as well. This is estimated to cost more than $200,000 a minute – over $25 billion a year – that is being spent on foreign oil imports. This is money leaving our country, and contributing to our national trade deficit.Therefore, there are many more ways solar energy benefits the economy, directly and indirectly. By reducing your home’s use of traditional energy sources, you help keep natural ecosystems intact, reducing tax payer funded clean-ups and potentially devastating oil spills