The U.S. solar energy sector is experiencing a significant rise in employment, as highlighted in the 14th Annual National Solar Jobs Census.
In 2023, the industry added 15,564 new solar jobs, a growth of 6%, bringing the total workforce to 280,000 solar workers. This surge is largely driven by federal policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which has encouraged clean energy deployment and job creation across the nation.
Utility-scale solar has seen the most remarkable job growth, increasing by 6.8% due to a record 30.2 GW of new installations. The residential market added 6,000 jobs, though it faced challenges such as high interest rates and changing net metering policies. Meanwhile, the commercial solar sector saw a slight decline, dropping 4.3% in employment.
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has been instrumental in driving job creation in solar energy. The IRA’s tax credits and incentives for domestic content have contributed to the rapid expansion of solar manufacturing, with U.S. module production nearly doubling from 8.5 GW to 15.5 GW in 2023. This growth has led to projections that solar manufacturing jobs could reach 115,000 by 2030.
While the residential solar market grew by 6.3% in 2023, the pace slowed compared to the previous year’s 11% growth. This slowdown reflects ongoing challenges in the sector, including high interest rates and policy changes. Similarly, the commercial solar segment saw a 4.3% decline, despite the growing number of projects being completed.
As the solar industry continues to expand, so does the need for skilled workers in operations and maintenance (O&M). In 2023, O&M jobs grew by 28%, adding 4,782 positions to handle the increasing demand for system maintenance. Additionally, jobs in wholesale and distribution grew by 8.8%, reflecting the broader logistical needs of the solar industry.
The states with the most solar jobs in 2023 include Florida (15%), Texas (10%), Arizona (17%), and Nevada (14%). While California experienced more modest growth at 2.5%, it remains a leader in the solar industry.
Union representation in the solar workforce has grown significantly, reaching 13.4% in 2023, which is higher than both the private sector and overall U.S. workforce unionization rates. This increase highlights the role unions are playing in ensuring competitive wages and worker protections in the clean energy sector.
Looking ahead, solar deployment is projected to grow by 3% annually through 2029, supported by favorable economic factors and policies like the IRA. One of the key challenges is the availability of skilled labor. The IRA includes prevailing wage requirements and incentives for apprenticeship programs, ensuring that new solar workers are well-trained and paid competitive wages.
