Skip to content
tempatnakal.com

tempatnakal.com

Eighth annual survey finds nearly 10,000 solar jobs shed in '17, but long-term trend remains strong

Holly Clancy, February 9, 2018

After years of soaring growth, the number of U.S. jobs in the solar industry fell in 2017, according to the Solar Job Census 2017. Authors of the census, a project since 2010 of the Solar Foundation, calculated the number of solar jobs last year at 250,271, a drop of 9,800 workers from the previous year, and a 4 percent reduction in the solar workforce. Of the total, some 7,500 jobs were lost in installation, sales and distribution, and project development, with about 1,200 shed in solar manufacturing. Given the record-breaking 2016 growth, a number of close observers had expected a modest pullback. 

In 2016, more than 51,000 solar jobs had been added to the workforce, a 25 percent gain over the previous year. Over the past seven years, the solar workforce has grown by 168 percent, an addition of 157,000 jobs.

The census authors project that more jobs will be added in 2018, continuing the previous trend. But they made that forecast before the White House announced its 30 percent tariff on solar panel imports.

One big reason given for continuing growth is the number of states that are driving solar and wind installations with their renewable portfolio standards. These mandate that a certain amount of electricity must come from renewable sources by a certain deadline. New York state, for instance, requires 50 percent renewables by 2030, while Arizona requires 15 percent by 2025, and Hawai’i has set its sights on 100 percent by 2045. Emma Foehringer Merchant reports:

“States are still setting their renewable portfolio standards; they’re still increasing them or talking about increasing them,” said Ed Gilliland, senior director of programs at The Solar Foundation. “We will likely experience some headwinds over the next  year or two, but certainly the stronger states can sail forward. I think we can still get some emerging states to do well, but they need strong policies to support growth.”

Despite the 2017 job losses in well-established solar markets like California’s, where 40 percent of nation’s solar capacity has been built, 29 other states and the District of Columbia saw their solar workforces grow in 2017. 

Measured against the total U.S. workforce, the percentage of African American employees in the solar industry is about half as large and there are 20 percent fewer women. The industry has higher percentages of Latino and Asian employees.

Politics

Post navigation

Previous post
Next post

Categories

Archives

Recent Posts

  • Top 10 Best Verizon Online Phone Number Comparison

  • Top 10 Best Bow Fishing Reel Comparison

  • Sweater Vest Zip Mens

  • Top 10 Best Fishing Rods Medium Comparison

  • Top 10 Best Saltwater Fishing Reel Handles Comparison

  • Sherpa Down Jacket Men

  • Top 10 Best Stereo Techniques Microphone Comparison

  • Black Bomber Jacket Fashion Men’s

  • Xs Mens Jacket Worn

  • All about DUI Attorney Chicago

  • Black Smoking Jackets Mens

  • How Shorts Can Men Shorts Be?

  • Khloe Kardashian Won’t End Feud With Caitlyn Jenner: She Didn’t Acknowledge Her Pregnancy

  • Sports Shorts Fashion Mens

  • Gold Kid Boots

  • Men’s Clothing Bomber Jacket

  • Top 10 Best Left Handed Fishing Reels Comparison

  • Top 10 Best Kite Fishing Rods Comparison

  • How Do You Sit With a Suit?

  • Best Men’s Down Jacket

  • Modular Shelving Industrial

  • Men’s Hooded Jacket on Sale Winter

  • Top 10 Best Spinning Baitfeeder Fishing Reels Comparison

  • Huge difference among Hot and Cold Lamination

  • Courage the Cowardly Dog Jacket

  • Top 10 Best Saltwater Fishing Rods And Reels Penn Fierce Comparison

  • Slain hostage's mother wants kidnappers held accountable

  • Top 10 Best Under Triger Fishing Reels Comparison

  • Top 10 Best N Fishing Reels Comparison

  • Top 10 Best What’s A Trivets Instant Pot? Comparison

©2025 tempatnakal.com | WordPress Theme by SuperbThemes