This industry is helping to shine a light on Utah’s workforce – Deseret News

U.S. solar jobs grew 6% overall, adding up to nearly 280,000 workers in 2023 as the industry accelerates its transition to clean, renewable energy, creating job opportunities in all 50 states.

How has this affected workers in Utah?

14th Annual National Solar Job Directory According to a report by the independent nonprofit Interstate Renewable Energy Council, the United States will add 15,564 solar jobs in 2023, which means the number will reach 279,447. This is the highest number on record.

In Utah, solar jobs grew by 4%, adding 325 jobs for a statewide total of 7,634.

According to the Solar Industry Job Directory, a qualifying worker is a solar worker who spends the majority of their time working in solar energy. When those who spend less than half their time working in solar energy are included, the total rises to 364,544 workers. When energy storage workers are included, 454,136 workers spent at least some of their time in either solar energy or pure storage.

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

The utility-scale solar job market improved in 2023, adding nearly 2,000 jobs (up 6.8%) and reversing a decline from 2022. The residential market also saw gains, adding nearly 6,000 jobs (up 6.3%), but that was a slowdown from 2022, when residential jobs increased 11%.

Solar jobs grew in 47 states in 2023, including Florida, Nevada and Texas. An interactive map with more details can be found at SolarJobsCensus.org.

Area for improvement

“The solar industry continues to outpace the rest of the economy in hiring Gen Z, veterans and union workers, but only a quarter of companies surveyed have a strategy to hire more women and people of color,” he said. Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “As demand for clean energy grows, the industry must invest in workforce development strategies that support equitable growth and create new economic paths for all Americans.”

Finding qualified workers is also a challenge.

Some 29% of solar employers said it was “very difficult” to hire skilled workers. While still high, that’s a significant improvement from 2022, when 44% said hiring was very difficult.

Interviewees said skilled-labor positions are the hardest to fill, especially electricians and engineers. That includes people with knowledge of batteries and energy storage.

The Solar Jobs Census is based on a study conducted by BW Research Partnership on behalf of the U.S. Department of Energy. 2024 U.S. Energy and Employment Report.

This Sol Jobs CensusS can be accessed at: https://www.irecusa.org/programs/solar-jobs-census/