A new report from the feds says, due to the recession, overall energy consumption in the U.S. dropped in 2009.

However, renewable energies use during that same period, such as biodiesel, ethanol, wind, solar and hydro power, actually increased.

The report shows that overall energy consumption in 2009 dropped by 4.8 percent, the second year in a row that consumption dropped and just the third time since 1949 that energy consumption has declined for two or more consecutive years.

But clean energy sources fared much better during that same time.

People realize the cost-savings that a solar installation can bring.

Learn more about your custom solar installation.