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 nearly 24,000 workers since September 2012, a growth rate of nearly 20%. According to the nonprofit industry group's census, 77% of the nearly 24,000 new solar jobs are new jobs, rather than existing positions that have added solar energy to their responsibilities. Installers added the most solar workers over the past year of any solar job category, 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 projects across the country to ensure America's continued leadership in clean energy innovation," said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz.