(Reuters) – Jobs in the U.S. solar industry rose 6% last year to nearly 280,000, the highest level ever, according to an annual survey known as the National Solar Jobs Census released on Monday by the nonprofit Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
Solar-generated electricity is one of the fastest growing segments of the U.S. energy industry due to strong demand from businesses and governments to use cleaner energy sources and combat climate change.
The sector is a key part of US President Joe Biden’s pledge that the transition to carbon-free energy sources will create millions of good jobs.
Solar employment benefited from a rebound in utility-scale projects last year thanks to fewer supply chain disruptions and new incentives in Biden’s 2022 climate change bill, the Inflation Reduction Act.
BY THE NUMBERS * The number of solar jobs in the U.S. increased 5.9% to 279,447 at the end of 2023. * The utilities segment added 1,888 jobs for a total of 29,708. * The residential installations sector added 5,945 jobs to 100,815, an increase of 6.3%. Growth in that segment slowed from 2022’s 11% gain as high interest rates and California’s rollback of incentives dampened demand for roofing systems. * The number of manufacturing jobs remained approximately the same at 33,273. Companies that produce components such as inverters and racks are becoming more labor efficient, the report said.
WHAT’S NEXT
According to the analysis, solar jobs will remain about the same in 2024 compared to last year. Residential installations are down sharply this year and utility-scale projects are facing challenges such as long wait times for grid connections and a shortage of skilled labor.
