A new report shows that U.S. solar jobs grew 6% for a total of nearly 280,000 solar workers as of 2023, as part of the accelerating transition to renewable energy that is sparking job opportunities across all 50 states. The 14th annual “National Solar Jobs Census” by the nonprofit Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) found the United States added 15,564 solar jobs in 2023 to reach 279,447 solar workers, the highest ever recorded.

The census defines a solar worker as someone spending the majority of their time on solar-related work. When those who spend less than half of their time on solar are included, the total rises to 364,544 workers. When including energy storage workers, there were 454,136 workers who spent at least part of their time on either solar energy or clean storage.

“This year’s ‘National Solar Jobs Census’ found a record number of Americans working in solar energy and battery storage,” said Larry Sherwood, IREC president and CEO. “Federal policies like the Inflation Reduction Act are helping drive a historic level of clean energy deployment and job creation. We can help ensure future job growth with supportive policies at the federal and state level, along with an industry-wide commitment to a skilled and diverse workforce.”

The utility-scale solar job market saw a turnaround in 2023, adding nearly 2,000 jobs (a 6.8% increase) and reversing a decline in 2022. The residential market also saw gains with nearly 6,000 jobs added (6.3% growth), but this marked a slowdown compared to 2022 when residential jobs grew by 11%.

Solar jobs increased in 47 states in 2023, with notable increases in Florida, Texas, Arizona and Nevada. An interactive map of solar jobs by state, with links to state-specific fact sheets, is available at SolarJobsCensus.org.

The percentage of union workers in the solar industry was 13.4%, an increase of three percentage points from 2022. This is nearly double the percentage of unionized workers in the private sector overall and a higher percentage than in the total U.S. workforce.

“Our ability to grow the U.S. solar and storage industry depends entirely on our ability to grow our workforce,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA). “The solar industry continues to outpace the rest of the economy when it comes to employing Gen Z, veteran, and union workers, but only a quarter of the surveyed firms have a strategy in place to hire more women and people of color. As demand for clean energy continues to grow, the industry must invest in workforce development strategies that support equitable growth and create new economic pathways for all Americans.”

The “National Solar Jobs Census” is based on a survey conducted by BW Research Partnership for the U.S. Department of Energy’s “United States Energy and Employment Report 2024.”

Workforce development strategies

For the first time this year, IREC conducted qualitative interviews to gain more insight into the solar industry’s accomplishments and challenges related to diversity, equity, inclusion and workforce development. The “National Solar Jobs Census” found that the percentages of black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), women and other diverse groups in the solar industry have improved in recent years.

However, there remains much more work to be done. The interviews with industry representatives revealed a number of strategies that companies are successfully utilizing to increase diversity and inclusion in the workforce, such as community partnerships with local high schools and vocational schools.

The census also found that 29% of employers across the solar industry reported it was “very difficult” to hire qualified workers. While still high, this is a significant improvement from 2022 when 44% reported that hiring was very difficult. Interview participants said skilled laborer roles are the hardest to fill, particularly electricians and engineers, as well as those with expertise in batteries and energy storage.

Registered apprenticeships and other on-the-job training programs can help solar firms attract and retain skilled and diverse workers.

The “National Solar Jobs Census” can be accessed at: https://www.irecusa.org/programs/solar-jobs-census/

IREC staff will discuss this report in an event at New York City Climate Week on Sept. 23, “More Than a Job: Strategies to Grow the Clean Energy Workforce,” co-hosted by Solar One. Registration at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/more-than-a-job-strategies-to-grow-the-clean-energy-workforce-tickets-1000382610317

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