Solar Industry Booming

Created by on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 · 10 Comments 

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A survey conducted by two research college students in California indicates that the solar industry is doing very well for the most populous state.

They surveyed 212 solar companies in the state, of which 77 of them were in the San Francisco Bay Area. The solar energy industry has created jobs for installers, engineers, and other miscellaneous working class jobs. These are jobs that have been lost over the years and the conclusion based from the industry survey is that there aren’t enough workers. An estimated 5,000 jobs could be created by next year.

Solar Industry Jobs For All

The salaries would vary upon level of experience. Entry-level solar installers make a median salary of $31,200 per year, while more experienced installers earn up to $60,000 a year. Experienced solar designers and engineers earn a median salary of $83,000. These are great salaries for people with different skills. Most of the jobs like solar installers would not require a degree to qualify for the job.

Currently the two researchers estimated that California employs between 16,500 and 17,500 people already. California will require energy companies to diversify their energy portfolio through 20% renewable energy like solar, wind, and geothermal energy. But some California legislators are thinking about increasing the renewable portfolio standard to 33% by 2020. If California does enact such a law, they will be truly be a model for the rest of the country.

Solar Industry Booming

The California solar industry has even expanded into nearby states for cheaper manufacturing plants such as a planned new manufacturing facility in Oregon. With this industry on the rise, it may be wise for people to position themselves to catch the wave of this new and exciting market.

Thoughts, Comments, Questions…

Just living life in Portland, Oregon and enjoying every day that goes by. I love the environment, and I love community, and I love being able to share my experiences and perspective with the world.

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  • Heidi from Home Ener

    Great post, and this is a good sign of things to come.

  • Anonymous

    The U.S. generates for almost 1/4 of the global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, to present, federal restrictions have not yet been placed on GHG emissions. There have been initiatives introduced for embryonic carbon trading markets. The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is an obligatory system for reducing carbon emissions from U.S. power plants in the states of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maine, Connecticut, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Caps will go in effect in 2009 and emissions trading will be a key component of the structure. In California, the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 mandates the creation of a multi-industry structure to reduce GHG emissions in California to 1990 levels by 2020. It appears that emissions trading will be a component of the system that may be linked with the European Union Greenhouse Gas Emission Trading Scheme (EU ETS). In January 2005, the EU ETS commenced operation as the largest multi nation, multi-industry greenhouse gas emission trading system in the world. For a complete discussion of global warming and sustainability, check out <a href="http://www.onebiosphere.comhttp://www.onebiosphere.com<br /> In the U.S., which lacks a binding federal carbon trading system, the private Chicago Climate Exchange that is owned by Climate Exchange plc is attempting to create a voluntary carbon exchange for North American and Brazil by utilizing independent verification to allow institutions and individuals to trade carbon reduction credits.

  • onebiosphere

    The U.S. is ready to confront the major challenge of global warming. America generates roughly one quarter of the globe's greenhouse gases every year. 174 countries adopted the Kyoto protocol to reduce carbon levels, however, the U.S. did not. The U.S. has resisted taking action on the global warming issue that threatens the survival of our coasts and farms, our health and the stability of our economy. We have not achieved consensus on how to solve the problem. Industries on the one hand have made few positive plans and on the other hand, environmental groups have proposed wide-reaching solutions that may seriously harm economic growth. America needs to adopt an aggressive, effective plan that accommodates concerns of the environment as well as economic prosperity. The U.S. needs to stop the negative impact of climate change and ensure the survival of our lifestyle for future generations without seriously damaging the economy. For a detailed discussion of global warming and climate change, check out <a href="http://www.onebiosphere.comhttp://www.onebiosphere.com<br />Charge on Carbon Emissions A key step will be to levy charges on carbon emissions. When we charge users for emitting carbon, the equation is tipped in favor of alternative fuels and away from fossil fuels. A cap-and-trade system may establish ceilings for carbon output and allow companies with positive balances to sell credits to companies that need the credits. The net impact will be that carbon levels will fall. Businesses will gain from being green so that should drive investment and research dollars into renewable energy and efficiency.

  • Anonymous

    What are the Opportunities for startups in India? – PB

  • Solar Power Business
  • Solar Power Business

    Thank you very much for given this informative post!

  • Elana_Rachelle

    It is great that California is being such a leader in solar energy! America is ready to revolutionize its energy economy. We are already well behind Europe in the amount of energy we gain from renewable sources, and we need to do everything we can to close the gap. We owe it to the world, seeing as we produce 1/4 of carbon emissions. Solar energy is a huge market, especially with recent laws requiring companies to make quotas on renewable energy. We can recharge our economy and our environment by investing in solar energy! I live in Colorado, and I can only hope that my state starts to take full advantage of its nearly 360 days of sunshine a year!ElanaGreenpeace Intern

  • Fred Smilek

    Those are all impressive salaries-even the entry level. It's definitely a strong industry to consider.

  • Ally Falconer Hall

    California really is a great state for solar generation and it's great to see such ambitious plans being put in place.

  • http://www.premiersolarlights.com Alicia

    The prices of gas are just out of control. It seems just a matter of time before the alternative energy industries really take off. I was just reading about one particular solar installation in Canada which is pumping energy *into* the grid and another unrelated instance about someone donating a whole bunch of solar lights to Africa where they would usually use kerosene lamps for light. Thank you for publishing this article – great to read!


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