The newly released 2014 National Solar Jobs Census found that the industry continues to exceed growth expectations. As of November 2014, the solar industry employs 173,807 solar workers, representing a growth rate of 21.8% since November 2013.
Other highlights from the report:
- One out of every 78 new jobs created in the U.S. since Census 2013 was created by the solar industry – representing 1.3% of all new jobs.1
- Of the 173,807 solar workers in the United States, approximately 157,500 are 100% dedicated to solar activities.
- Wages paid to solar workers remain competitive with similar industries and provide many living-wage opportunities.
- The installation sector remains the single largest source of domestic employment growth, more than doubling in size since 2010.
- Solar workers are increasingly diverse. Demographic groups such as Latino/Hispanic, Asian/Pacific Islander and African American, along with women and veterans of the US Armed Forces now represent a larger percentage of the solar workforce than was observed in Census 2013.
- Over the next 12 months, employers surveyed expect to see total employment in the solar industry increase by 20.9% to 210,060 solar workers.
“Solar power is a key component of our all-of-the-above approach to American energy, creating good-paying American jobs that support our growing clean energy economy,” said
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, in reference to the 2014 Solar Job Census. “In the last year alone, the industry added more than 31,000 jobs – accounting for one out of every 78 new jobs created in the US. This diverse and vibrant workforce is vital to achieving the President’s goal of doubling electricity generation from renewable sources yet again by 2020.”
The full 2014 National Solar Census report, including the methodology, is available at www.tsfcensus.org.
REFERENCES
- Data for Census 2014 is derived from a statistically valid sampling and comprehensive survey of 276,376 establishments throughout the nation, in industries ranging from manufacturing, to construction and engineering, to sales.