Green jobs have been increasing because of the solar and alternative industry in the Valley and is expected to grow 8 times more than other jobs this year. And Arizona was named third among states for being a leader in alternative energy, according to Business Facilities magazine

First Solar Inc.’s Mesa plant represents a $300 million investment and 600 jobs for the Phoenix area. Construction will began in the second quarter and be complete a year later with the first shipments beginning in third-quarter 2012, officials from the Tempe company announced That will mean some 400 to 500 construction jobs.

One interesting application of solar is the Solar rooftop and parking systems installed by USAA in Phoenix. The parking garage-mounted system, can power 75 homes, and is part of a project to reduce their power consumption by about 25%.

Another company in Tempe, Clear Energy Systems Inc. is planning to invest about $10 million in a large manufacturing facility  and the company plans to hire about 225 people there within the next three years.

Tempe-based company, First Solar Inc.  First Solar Inc. Latest from The Business Journals Readers Respond: SolarArizona hits rough patch with China on solar trade questionsFirst Solar quietly pioneers Phoenix solar industry Follow this company is building the Paloma Solar Power Plant in Gila Bend. It’s a 17-megawatt facility that will sell its power to Arizona Public Service Co.

Suntech Power Holding Co. Ltd. in Goodyear is creating the panels for Sempra Generation’s Mesquite Solar I facility. For APS it’s a big deal because it represents the first plant coming online for the utility’s AZ Sun program.

And here’s a list, thanks to the Phoenix Business Journal of companies new and hiring in the Valley..

Yulex gets $15M, opening Chandler site

Mach 1 Global opens distribution center

CX.com moving to Scottsdale Waterfront, hiring 100

Workers prepare downtown Phoenix Oakville Grocery for spring debut

White Glove to use $12.5M VC intestment to hire 50

PayPal still hiring for 2,000-employee center

Banner Health to build center in Maricopa

Gestamp Renewables to build steel facility in Surprise

Intel to invest $5B in new Arizona semiconductor plant

Children’s hospitals add staff as flu attacks

I/o Data Centers opens module manufacturing facility

World Wide Tech moves to Broadway 101

Arizona 1st Choice Roofing hiring sales reps

Menlo DevCo rehab center to create 140 jobs in Gilbert

Home Deport to make 60,000 seasonal hires

Paetec opens data center in Phoenix

Yelp hiring 300 more in Scottsdale

And Aquinty Interactive call center to bring hundreds of jobs to Gilbert