Politico reports on the alternative energy industry’s lobbying efforts here.

Until 2008, the American Wind Energy Association spent less than $1 million a year on lobbyists — and most years less than $500,000. In 2009, it spent nearly $5 million on lobbying, almost triple its 2008 outlay.

Similarly, the Solar Energy Industries Association increased its 2007 expenditures of $630,000 to more than $1.6 million in 2009.