Good for the environment, good for the economy

Record growth in the solar industry is good news, not only because it decreases the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels, but because it gives the economy a much needed boost.

According to a January 23, 2008 statement by Rhone Resch of the Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), the solar energy industry experienced 125 percent growth in 2007, pumping more than $2 billion into the U.S. economy and creating 6,000 new jobs.

As hundreds of solar companies continue to announce expansion, thousands of job openings become available. Occupation in the solar industry includes manufacturing jobs in equipment and manufacturing plants, development jobs to help execute the planning stages of new solar energy projects, and construction jobs that arise as these projects are brought to fruition.

In addition to recruitment within its own sphere, the solar industry supports over 150,000 jobs in related trades. These include glass and steel manufacturing, electrical and plumbing contracting, architecture and system design, and battery and electrical equipment.

Here are more solar energy facts from Solar Developments:

• The use of solar and renewable energy is expected to double by the year 2010, which would create more than 350,000 net new jobs, as many as employed by the nation’s largest automaker.
• 3,800 jobs are created for every $100 million in solar cell (PV) sales.
• Solar thermal power plants create two and one-half times as many skilled, high paying jobs for the communities in which they operate as do conventional power plants that use fossil fuels.
• Over the next 25 years, the worldwide market for renewable/solar energy and energy efficiency represents a multi-trillion dollar opportunity for U.S. firms.
• Over 60 percent of solar technology sales are in exports, the jobs that are created stay in the U.S. and help reduce the trade deficit.

In addition, the solar industry is in the position to create jobs in communities hardest hit by economic downturns. Resch sites solar opportunities in Michigan, the state with the highest unemployment in the country, where companies such as Hemlock Semiconductor and Unisolar are creating a solar economic engine.

As you contribute to the growth of the solar energy industry with panels of your own, remember to contact CalFinder to find professional solar installers who specialize in the business. We offer free estimates as a service to homeowners.

Posted on January 28th in Solar News by Renee.