US solar jobs see biggest growth year yet

The U.S. solar industry added 51,000 jobs last year, making 2016 its biggest growth year to date, according to the Solar Foundation’s recently released seventh annual National Solar Jobs Census.

“Last year, one out of every 50 new jobs created here in America was a solar job,” Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), said. “That’s an incredible finding that proves that solar energy is increasingly becoming a linchpin in America’s economy. When communities across America open their doors to solar, the jobs come racing in.”

The solar industry now employs more than 260,000 Americans. Since 2010, the number of solar jobs in the United States has almost tripled.

Last year marked the fourth consecutive year of more than 20 percent growth year-over-year for solar jobs.

Forty-four of the 50 U.S. states saw solar jobs growth in 2016. Oklahoma saw the biggest year-over-year percent increase in solar jobs with 106 percent growth. Nebraska grew their solar workforce by 104 percent. California had the highest number of total solar jobs.

The jobs census also shows increases in diversity of race and gender in the solar industry. According to the report, 28 percent of solar workers are now women, up from 24 percent and nine percent are veterans, which is above the national employment average.