There has been tremendous job growth in the solar industry in the past five years and there’s no sign of it slowing down any time soon. In fact, as solar energy becomes more efficient and affordable, there will likely be even more demand for employees who want to work in the solar industry in the future.

Crunching the Numbers

Just how impressive has the solar industry’s expansion been? Well…

• The solar industry has more than doubled the number of people it employs in the past five years.
• In each of the past three years the industry has seen a steady 20 percent increase in employment.
• It’s projected that another 30,000 jobs will be added in 2016.
• In 2015, the solar industry added 30,000 new jobs, bringing the industry’s employment totals to over 200,000 people.
• Solar is quickly climbing the energy ranks. Solar installation now employs 77 percent more people than the coal mining industry.

No matter how you look at it, the solar industry is poised for more growth.

Solar Friendly Climate

The potential for environmental and economic benefits from solar energy aren’t news. But thanks to advances in technology and policies and programs that make solar installation more affordable, more people are now able to take advantage of solar. That, in turn, continues to drive up the demand for workers trained to work in the solar industry.

It’s no surprise that sunny California is the top state for solar employment, but thanks to advances in solar technology and generous incentives to switch to solar, Massachusetts comes in second. Batteries that are able to store more energy and solar lenses that can pull in more sun are also making solar power a viable option for regions that don’t see as much sun.

The recently renewed 30 percent solar tax credit and the USDA’s Rural Energy for America are just a few of the ways the government is encouraging residents and businesses to use renewable solar energy.

The installation of solar panel setups has also become less expensive for property owners thanks to faster installation times and financial assistance offered by the solar companies.

“Several years ago the only way to get solar if you were a homeowner was to take out a loan or pay with cash,” said Andrea Luecke, President and Executive Director of the Solar Foundation. “Now there is third party ownership and there are companies that do clean energy bonds, as well as other financing models.”

Employee Benefits

With the average solar installer earning $21 an hour, the solar industry is creating good paying jobs.

For workers looking to make the switch to solar, there are many options available. Programs aimed at training veterans, unemployed people, and vocational students are increasingly including solar installation programs in their available curriculum.

“The companies we’re working with are begging to fill the job slots they have because they’re growing so much,” said Chris Gorrie, Campus President of the Ecotech Institute.

As solar power adoption continues to increase, it is also likely that the demand for workers who have the right sort of training to work in the solar industry will continue to rise accordingly.

Want to know more about solar power and how switching to solar can help you drive your energy bill down to zero? Contact us today for a free quote.