Shasta <<solar is a long-term viable space for investment/employment?>>
You betcha! Why and how could it not? Solar panels while still expensive , last a very long time. The sun? Well, if it goes, it all doesn't matter,, we'd run each over in the dark;-00)
As for when to re invest in solars? Well, I foolishly passed up the gift buy a couple months ago, which Joe and some others DID grab. So, I'm waiting for another opportunity where there is a sale of some sort. A market hit... or a dump in oil prices or such.
As the cost of solar panels and installation comes down, it will only broaden the scope of installations. Wind is also going to come on strong as creative engineers and other inventors devise ways of harnessing wind for individual homes while protecting birds, and keeping the noise to nearly nil.
Renewable energy has an amazing future. As with all investments, you know how important time horizon is to the play;-00)