Environment America recently released a new report called, “Shining Cities 2018: How Smart Local Policies Are Expanding Solar Power in America.” Highlighting how cities are leading the way in using solar power, this report gives a surprising accounting of which US cities are considered the “Solar Stars” (ranking solar watts per capita).
Did your city make the list?
The report states that the United States now has over 53 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic capacity installed — enough to power 10.1 million homes and 26 times as much capacity as was installed at the end of 2010.
While you might expect some Sunbelt cities like Phoenix to be among the leaders, would you believe that Washington DC and New Orleans have been named? It looks like solar adoption is way more popular than typically portrayed.
Watch 3 Cool Facts You Should Know About Solar
With solar power on the rise in the US, Photovoltaic (PV) Installers are in great demand
PV installer is the fastest-growing job in eight different states across the US, including California, Hawaii, New Mexico, Florida, North Carolina, Missouri, Minnesota, and New Jersey. This overwhelming interest of solar installation is expected to create about 23,100 new jobs by 2026.
Why so much demand you ask?
As the cost of PV panels and shingles drop, more homes and buildings are gonna want to jump on the solar bandwagon— and that means a ton more rooftop warriors are needed to install them.
Job Outlook for PV Installers
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics from 2017, employment of PV installers is projected to grow a whopping 105% from 2016 to 2026. The average PV Installer salary in the USA is $36,075/yr ($18.50/hr). Entry level positions start at $30,225/yr, while more experienced workers can make up to $61,328/yr.
Check out the full Shining cities report, and get inspired to play a big role in helping your city to be named a “Solar Star”.
If you’re interested in getting started in a career in PV installation, or want to sharpen your existing skills, then check out our Solar Training course catalog.
