Solar panel installation jobs will be increasing over 5 years
In the next 5 years, experts predict that new solar jobs will top 200,000. In fact, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) estimates huge growth in the solar industry by 2016 that will result in $48 billion in investments and 207,000 green jobs in the solar field.
There are a number of factors at play here, including a continued push for renewable energy options. Tax breaks for solar installations are also giving rise to increased demand, as well as falling prices for solar panels. Perhaps two of the biggest contributors to the increase in solar jobs are the extension of the federal Treasury Grant Program and a new solar manufacturing investment tax credit.
The grant program extension alone could create 67,000 new solar jobs as projects that begin construction by the end of 2012 may be eligible for funding.
More solar jobs on the way!
If 207,000 green jobs isn’t enough, we could possibly add an additional 158,000 solar jobs to the mix. Business Green‘s Danny Bradbury believes that if solar equipment manufacturers are covered by a manufacturing tax credit, more than $22 billion could be created.
The report from SEIA also importantly notes that the tax incentives offered for solar growth will actually have a positive impact on the federal budget. Not only in energy savings, but also in a decrease in unemployment compensation benefits that would have to be paid and an increase in taxes being paid by working employees!
Do you know of green solar jobs in your region?
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Tags: green jobs, new solar jobs, seia, solar energy industries association, solar growth, solar installations, solar jobs
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