According to the National Solar Jobs Census 2013, released by The Solar Foundation, the U.S. solar industry employed 142,698 Americans last year. This is an increase in employment, which is significant to the solar sector for a number of reasons. First, companies employed 23,682 new workers, which represented a 19.9 percent growth over the previous year. Additionally, it means the employment rate in this industry was 10 times faster than the national average of 1.9 percent. The report also notes that this was the first time the solar industry had ever exceeded the growth projections made the year before.
Andrea Luecke, executive director and president of The Solar Foundation, said in a release that the sector has proven itself to be a strong job creator.
“The industry has grown an astounding 53 percent in the last four years alone, adding nearly 50,000 jobs,” Luecke said. “Our Census findings show that for the fourth year running, solar jobs remain well-paid and attract highly skilled workers.”
The report predicts that, within the next 12 months, employment will grow by 15.6 percent, adding more than 22,000 new positions. In addition, 45 percent of solar companies expect to experience company-wide growth during that time.