The New York Times Green Inc. Blog takes note of the meteoric rise of China’s share of California’s solar market while American companies continue to falter.

Chinese companies have increased their market share from 2% to an astounding 46% in just three years, doubling in 2009 alone. This rise has been led by the Chinese solar giants Yingli and Suntech at 27% and 10% respectively.

Meanwhile, the United States accounts for only 16% of the market today – down from 43% three years ago – in a state that comprises 40% of the U.S. solar industry.

While the articles notes that the California market is expanding rapidly, making this competition “not necessarily a zero-sum game,” it is clear that even in the American state most known for renewable energy, it is China, and not the United States, exploiting the opportunity to its fullest.