Extending the Department of Treasury Grant Program (TGP) by two years and including solar manufacturing in the industries’ existing tax credit would add 200,000 new domestic solar jobs and jobs in supporting industries, according to a new study published by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)/
Additionally, it would result in 10 gigawatts (GW) of new solar installations by 2016–enough to power 2 million homes.
“Extension of the Treasury Grant program is essential to continuing our nascent economic recovery and moving to a cleaner, more distributed 21st century energy system. Tens of thousands of jobs hinge on continuing this successful program, including thousands of new solar jobs in Washington State in the next two years. These are high-paying jobs that our economy needs,” said Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA).
The following states would gain the most jobs from these policies:
California (60,000 new jobs); Michigan (24,000 new jobs); Ohio, Oregon
and Texas gaining over 13,000 new jobs each; Arizona, Colorado, and
Florida each gaining roughly 10,000 new jobs; Massachusetts, New Mexico,
New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington each adding
about 5,000 new jobs; Nevada, New Jersey, and Tennessee each adding more
than 3,000 new jobs; and Connecticut and Hawaii each adding more than
1,500 new jobs.
Dozens of states would see substantial capacity increases in new solar
installations through 2016, including: California adding over 4,400 MW;
Arizona gaining over 1,400 MW; Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada,
and New Jersey each adding 300 MW; and Hawaii, New York, North Carolina,
Oregon, and Texas each adding more than 100 MW. Each 100MW is enough to
power 25,000 average American homes. Each 100 MW in solar capacity is
enough to power 25,000 American homes.
“Unemployment across the country remains near 10%, while the construction industry is suffering at nearly 22% unemployment,” said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of SEIA. “But during the last year, the solar industry has been one of the bright spots in our economy with the creation of 17,000 new jobs. These jobs were created by the Recovery Act, and it’s time for Congress to extend the programs that have given new opportunity for Americans in the solar industry.”
SEIA’s study complements research released in April by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that found the TGP “has provided significant economic value” and showed strong employment levels in renewable energy industries during 2009.
The SEIA study was conducted by independent consulting firm EuPD Research. The full report is available at the link below.
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