U.S. Solar Companies Expect to Create 24,000 Jobs Next Year

Source: SolarFeeds

A review of national solar employment identified more than 16,700 solar employment sites and 93,000 solar jobs in all 50 states.

Additionally, the report--released by the non-profit Solar Foundation--found that solar employers expect to increase the number of workers by 26%, representing nearly 24,000 net new jobs by August 2011.

The National Solar Jobs Census 2010 is the first attempt to quantify the current employment and projected growth of the United States solar industry and is based on a statistically valid sampling of employers throughout the nation, according to Solar Foundation.

In general, U.S. solar companies expect to add jobs at a pace that is much faster than the general economy, and are highly optimistic regarding their overall revenue growth over the near term. Specifcally, as of August 2010, the U.S. solar industry employs an estimated 93,000 solar workers--defined as those workers who spend at least 50% of their time supporting solar-related activities.

Over the next 12 months, over 50% of solar firms expect to add jobs, while only 2% expect to cut workers. This finding is especially relevant given that the overall expected 12-month growth rate for the entire U.S. economy is only about 2%.

Other highlights from the report include:

• Solar jobs exist in all 50 states.
• The average solar installation firm employs 8 solar workers.
• The average solar manufacturing firm employs 24 solar workers.
• The average solar wholesale trade company employs four solar workers.
• The average utility that generates solar electric power employs four solar workers.

"Over the past 10 years, a strong and vibrant solar industry has emerged through innovation, market forces and smart government policies to create thousands of jobs across the value chain from manufacturing and engineering, construction and sales, to installation and other supporting industries," said Rhone Resch, Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA) president and CEO. "This unprecedented census of jobs in the industry and the individual stories behind Solar Works for America illustrate that solar is indeed working for America in all 50 states and will only continue to grow stronger."

The full report is available at the website below.

Website: www.thesolarfoundation.org/