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US solar industry jobs rose 6 per cent last year to nearly 280,000, their highest level ever, according to an annual study known as the National Solar Jobs Census published by the nonprofit Interstate Renewable Energy Council.
WHY IT MATTERS
Solar-generated electricity is one of the fastest-growing segments of the US energy industry due to strong demand from corporations and governments to adopt cleaner sources of power and combat climate change.
The sector is a key part of US President Joe Biden's pledge that transitioning to carbon-free energy sources will create millions of good jobs.
Solar employment benefited last year from a rebound in utility-scale projects thanks to fewer supply chain disruptions and new incentives included in Biden's 2022 climate change law, the Inflation Reduction Act.
BY THE NUMBERS
US solar jobs rose 5.9 per cent to 279,447 at the end of 2023.
The utility-scale segment added 1,888 jobs to a total of 29,708.
The residential installation sector added 5,945 jobs to reach 100,815, a rise of 6.3 per cent. Growth in that segment slowed from the 11 per cent gain in 2022 as high interest rates and a pullback in incentives in California dampened demand for rooftop systems.
Manufacturing jobs were roughly flat at 33,273. Companies that produce components like inverters and racking are becoming more labor-efficient, the report said.
WHAT'S NEXT
Solar jobs in 2024 may be about flat compared with last year, the analysis said. Residential installations have fallen sharply this year, and utility-scale projects face challenges including long waits to connect to the grid and a shortage of skilled labor. -Reuters