Report: U.S. Solar Jobs Grew 20% Since Last Year

The Solar Foundation on January 27 released its National Solar Jobs Census 2013, which found that the U.S. solar industry employed 142,698 people as of November 2013-adding 23,682 workers since September 2012, a growth rate of nearly 20%. The census by the nonprofit industry group showed that the growth rate for solar energy industry jobs exceeded the growth projections made in the previous year's report.According to the census, in excess of three-fourths of the nearly 24,000 new solar jobs are new jobs, representing 18,211 new jobs created. Installers added the most solar workers over the past year, growing by 22%, an increase of 12,500 workers.

"To support a growing workforce and a new generation of clean energy leaders, the Energy Department is providing training and education opportunities for engineers, utility workers and students, as well as supporting plans across the country to ensure America's continued leadership in clean energy innovation," said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. See the Solar Foundation press release and the Energy Department press release.

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