US solar jobs to grow 6% in 2023, Reuters study

(Reuters) – The number of jobs in the U.S. solar industry rose 6 percent last year to nearly 280,000, the highest level ever, according to an annual study known as the National Solar Jobs Census released on Monday by the nonprofit Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

WHY IT MATTER

Solar-generated electricity is one of the fastest-growing segments of the U.S. energy industry, driven by strong demand from corporations and governments to adopt cleaner energy sources and combat climate change.

The sector is a key part of US President Joe Biden’s pledge that the transition to carbon-free energy sources will create millions of good jobs.

Solar employment benefited from a rebound in utility-scale projects last year thanks to fewer supply chain disruptions and new incentives included in Biden’s 2022 climate change, Inflation Reduction Act.

BY THE NUMBERS * US solar jobs grew 5.9% to 279,447 at the end of 2023. * The utility segment added 1,888 jobs to a total of 29,708. * The residential installation sector added 5,945 jobs to 100,815, an increase of 6.3%. Growth in this segment has slowed from 11% growth in 2022 as high interest rates and retirement incentives in California dampened demand for rooftop systems. * Manufacturing jobs were roughly flat at 33,273. Companies that make components like inverters and racks are becoming more labor efficient, the report said.

WHAT’S NEXT

Solar jobs in 2024 could be almost unchanged from last year, analysis shows. Residential installations have fallen sharply this year, and utility projects face challenges, including long waits to connect to the grid and a shortage of skilled labor.