Solar report shows job growth

Job openings in the solar power industry are expected to grow nationally and locally over the next year, according to a new study.

 

A report released by the Solar Foundation shows more than half of the nation’s solar companies plan to increase their workforce over the next 12 months.  Currently, about 93,000 people work in solar jobs around the country.  That number is expected to grow by about 24,000 or 26% next year.  In Delaware, the report projects a 19% growth in the number of jobs related to solar power manufacturing or installation.  

Environment America’s Owen Dunn presented the report at Silverside Church in Wilmington which earlier this year installed a solar power array on the church property.  He says, “This unprecedented growth of the solar industry is providing much needed job creation despite this historic economic and workforce downturn that we’re seeing.”

The Silverside Church solar panels were installed by Newark-based KW Solar earlier this year.  The company’s president Jim Kelly says KW Solar is looking to hire more support staff in the coming months to handle the demand for solar panel installations.  “We all know that sustainable job creation is the key component in recovering from this current economic dilemma.”

You can find the complete report from the Solar Foundation at their website, thesolarfoundation.org.