Professional Documents
Culture Documents
STATE SOLAR
JOBS CENSUS
COMPENDIUM
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Solar Foundation (TSF) is a national 501(c)
(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to
increase understanding of solar energy through
strategic research and education that transforms
markets. In 2010, TSF conducted its first
National Solar Jobs Census report, establishing
the first comprehensive solar jobs baseline
and verifying that the solar industry is having a
positive impact on the U.S. economy. Using the
same rigorous, peer-reviewed methodology,
TSF has conducted an annual Census in each of
the last six years to track changes and analyze
trends.
Philip Jordan
Principal and Vice President
BW Research Partnership
508-384-2471; pjordan@bwresearch.com
www.bwresearch.com
Please cite this publication when referencing this material as State Solar Jobs Census Compendium
2015, The Solar Foundation, available at: www.tsfcensus.org
More populated states generate greater residential, commercial, and industrial demand for
electricity, including solar power. While California, the nations most populated state, leads
the country in solar power, the next four most
populated states Texas, Florida, New York, and
Illinois do not rank in the top five for installed
solar capacity, and only New York joins California as a top five state for total solar jobs.
Price
(cents
per kWh)
Division 1
16.73
State Rank:
Highest
to Lowest
Price
Price
(cents
per kWh)
State Rank:
Highest
to Lowest
Price
North Carolina
9.41
31
Connecticut
17.99
South Carolina
9.58
28
Maine
13.08
11
Virginia
9.39
32
Massachusetts
17.11
West Virginia
8.06
46
New Hampshire
16.17
Rhode Island
17.20
Alabama
9.52
29
Vermont
14.33
Kentucky
8.02
47
Mississippi
9.65
27
Tennessee
9.36
33
Division 2
13.22
New Jersey
14.14
10
New York
15.54
Pennsylvania
10.42
19
Division 3
9.87
Division 6
Division 7
9.13
8.48
Arkansas
8.22
44
Louisiana
7.71
50
Illinois
9.30
35
Oklahoma
7.94
49
Indiana
8.82
39
Texas
8.77
41
Michigan
10.89
16
Ohio
9.91
21
Arizona
10.64
18
Wisconsin
11.01
15
Colorado
9.86
23
Idaho
8.18
45
Division 4
9.43
Division 8
9.65
Iowa
8.72
43
Montana
8.99
37
Kansas
10.11
20
Nevada
9.74
26
Minnesota
9.75
24
New Mexico
9.89
22
Missouri
9.44
30
Utah
8.74
42
Nebraska
9.20
36
Wyoming
7.97
48
North Dakota
8.94
38
South Dakota
9.35
34
Division 5
10.06
Division 9 (cont.)
12.95
California
15.63
Oregon
8.80
40
7.32
51
Delaware
11.21
14
Washington
District of Columbia
12.01
13
Division 9 (non-cont.)
23.34
Florida
10.71
17
Alaska
17.96
Georgia
9.75
24
Hawaii
26.81
Maryland
12.11
12
US AVERAGE
10.51
State and local policies and incentives can differentiate solar development among states. Chief
among these are net metering and interconnection. A majority of states offer net metering,
which allows owners of residential and commercial solar energy systems to sell excess power back to the utility. For most states, customers
can sell the excess power back to the utility at
the retail electricity rate. For other states, such
as Hawaii and Nevada, excess power is credited at a lower wholesale rate, decreasing investment return on solar installations in those areas. States may also have aggregate system caps,
meaning that utilities will only purchase a fixed
amount of distributed power in a given year. Finally, there may be interconnection charges or
fees for hooking distributed power up to the
grid. Almost half (22) of all states received an
A or B grade for net metering and interconnection as shown in the table on the next page.
Policy Grades12
Renewable Portfolio
Standards (RPS)13
State
Net Metering
Interconnection
RPS Target
CA
50%
2030
CO
30%
2020
CT
23%
2020
DC
20%
2020
DE
25%
2026
IA
105 MW
N/A
IL
25%
2023
IN
10%
2025
MA
15%
2020
MD
20%
2022
ME
40%
2017
NH
24.8%
2025
NJ
20.38%
2021
NM
20%
2020
NY
50%
2030
OH
12.5%
2026
OR
25%
2025
PA
18%
2021
RI
14.5%
2019
UT
20%
2025
VT
75%
2032
WA
15%
2020
California leads the nation in solar manufacturing jobs, followed by Arizona and Massachusetts. Arizona and Oregon manufacturing firms
employ over a third of their states' solar workers, which is well in excess of the national average of 14.5%.
California leads the nation in project development jobs, followed by Massachusetts and
Florida. Massachusetts, Florida, and Louisiana
employ a significantly greater proportion of
project development workers than the national
average of 10.8%. Notably, Nebraska project development firms employ an impressive 61.4%
of the state's solar workers. While a high proportion of project development jobs may imply
that utilities and large firms are actively pursuing solar power, it could also indicate a missed
opportunity to develop more residential and
small commercial rooftop solar.
Installation
% of Solar Jobs
CA
MA
NV
NY
TX
NJ
FL
TN
MD
CO
40,597
8,741
8,285
5,829
4,547
4,303
3,217
3,047
3,025
2,958
53.7%
57.9%
94.5%
70.7%
64.7%
60.9%
49.0%
80.2%
70.9%
59.2%
National Average
57.4%
Manufacturing
% of Solar Jobs
CA
11,183
14.8%
AZ
2,400
34.7%
MA
2,098
13.9%
TX
1,424
20.3%
OR
1,149
38.3%
NC
1,144
19.2%
OH
834
17.3%
IL
822
23.6%
NY
800
9.7%
GA
751
23.6%
National Average
14.5%
2015
Jobs
National
Rank
Jobs Per
Capita
Rank
2016 Projected
Growth
Cumulative Q3
2015 Installed
Capacity Rank
75,598
18.9%
8,250
21
11.6%
15,095
8,764
7,071
7,030
6,922
6,560
5,950
4,998
5
6
10
Methodology
The State Solar Jobs Census 2015 demonstrates
that the U.S. solar industry is having a positive
and growing impact on the national economy,
supporting jobs across every state in the nation.
As with the previous Census studies, this report
series includes information about all types of
companies engaged in the analysis, research
and development, production, sales, installation, and use of all solar technologies ranging
from solar photovoltaics (PV), to concentrating
solar power (CSP), to solar water heating systems for the residential, commercial, industrial,
and utility market segments.
The findings presented herein are based on rigorous survey efforts that include nearly 288,000
telephone calls and over 44,000 emails to known
and potential solar establishments across the
United States, resulting in a maximum margin
of error for state employment of 5% at a 95%
confidence interval. Unlike economic impact
models that generate employment estimates
based on economic data or jobs-per megawatt
(or jobs-per-dollar) assumptions, the Solar Jobs
Census series provides statistically valid and
current data, gathered from actual employers.
12
34
28
15
8
8.6%
18.5%
10.3%
12.7%
8.4%
7.8%
10.2%
10.3%
5
3
10
2
13
4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Division 1: Pg. 9-25
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Vermont
Division 2: Pg. 26-35
New Jersey
New York
Pennsylvania
Division 3: Pg. 36-49
Indiana
Illinois
Michigan
Ohio
Wisconsin
Division 4: Pg. 50-67
Iowa
Kansas
Minnesota
Missouri
Nebraska
North Dakota
South Dakota
Division 5: Pg. 68-89
Delaware
Distict of Columbia
Florida
Goergia
Maryland
North Carolina
Virginia
South Carolina
Division 6: Pg. 90-101
Alabama
Kentucky
Mississippi
Tennessee
Division 7: 102-113
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
Division 8: Pg. 114-133
Arizona
Colorado
Idaho
New Mexico
Montana
Utah
Nevada
Wyoming
Division 9: Pg. 134-147
Alaska
California
Hawaii
Oregon
Washington
Photo Credit:
Photo Credit: Direct Solar Energy, VT
DIVISION 1
NEW ENGLAND
Division 1 contains the New England states
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. While this
region is not typically associated with a strong
solar resource, a rooftop solar photovoltaic
(PV) system installed in Portland, Maine produces over 90% of the electricity on an annual
basis as a comparable system operating in Miami, Florida.14 Coupled with the highest average utility rates in the nation (16.73 cents per
kilowatt-hour (kWh) for the region, nearly 60%
more than the national average of 10.51 cents
per kWh), the New England solar resource is
sufficient for providing positive financial returns on an investment in solar.15
due to its focus on the more labor-intensive residential and non-residential market segments
(as compared with the utility-scale segment).
The states success with solar in both regards
is the result of a strong policy commitment to
growing the Massachusetts solar market. Chief
among these policy tools is the Massachusetts
Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which requires 15% of each investor-owned utility and
retail electricity suppliers sales be derived from
new renewable resources by 2020. In 2010, the
state included a solar carve-out requirement
that 400 megawatts (MW) of the 15% standard
come from solar facilities within the state. This
requirement gave rise to a strong Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) market, which
provided an additional revenue stream for solar
energy system owners. The 400 MW carve-out
was achieved well ahead of schedule, spurring
the state to increase the requirement to 1,600
9
Solar Jobs
State
Connecticut
Maine
Massachusetts
New Hampshire
Rhode Island
Vermont
Solar Capacity*18
2015
Jobs
National
Rank
Jobs Per
Capita
Rank
2016
Projected
Growth
Cumulative
Installed
Capacity (MW)
National
Rank
1,951
25
18
6.8%
191.7
16
731
36
17
1.8%
14.0
36
330
15,095
941
1,367
43
2
34
31
35
11.7%
11
14.6%
8.6%
13.0%
18.6
944.5
17.2
104.4
31
6
34
21
*through Q3 2015
10
New England
Division
National
69.2%
67.0%
25.0%
24.2%
$23.00
$21.00
Hiring Requirements
Previous Work Experience
Bachelor's Degree or Beyond
Associate's Degree or Certificate but not BA
Hiring Difficulty
Very Difficult
Somewhat Difficult
Not at all Difficult
Median Wages
Installer
Sales Representative
Designer
Assembly Worker
facturing workers at or below the national average (14.5%), though in Vermont, this sector
accounts for a greater percentage of the solar
workforce (18.4% of workers). Connecticut,
Maine, and New Hampshire employ a greater
proportion of sales and distribution workers
than the national average (11.7%). In Massachusetts and Rhode Island, the project development sector represents a comparatively larger
percentage of the solar workforce (10.8% nationally), as is the case with Other workers in
Maine and Vermont (5.7% nationwide).
51.3%
18.5%
51.9%
23.1%
$24.04
$25.00
-
34.9%
9.7%
51.7%
24.2%
$28.85
$26.00
$15.00
11
Policy Grades19
Net
Meter.
Interconnection
RPS
Target
RPS Target
Deadline
RPS Notes
Relevant RPS
Carve Out Target %
CT
27%
2020
ME
40%
2017
MA
15%
2020
1600 MW solar PV by
2020
NH
24.8%
2025
15% target from new resources, plus an additional 6.03% from existing
sources in 2016
RI
14.5%
2019
55%
2017
State
VT
Increases 4% every 3
years up to 75% in 2032
1.0% DG by 2017;
increases to 10% by
2032
12
CONNECTICUT
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,951
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
132
(6.8%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#25
191.7
#18
154
Connecticut
Connecticut is expected to end 2015 with a firm
hold on its position as the second-largest solar
market in New England. Its cumulative solar
photovoltaic (PV) capacity installed through Q3
2015 of 191.7 megawatts (MW) is more than
that found in Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, and
New Hampshire combined though lags far behind the 945 MW in Massachusetts, the regions
solar leader.21 This market activity has supported a commensurate level of solar employment.
As of November 2015, the Connecticut solar
industry supported 1,951 solar workers at 154
companies across the state.
Over 60% of the 62 MW of new solar PV capacity installed in 2015 through Q3 was in the residential market segment. The 38 MW installed
over the first nine months of the year already exceeds all the residential solar installed in 2014
(23 MW) by half.22
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% CT
Solar
Jobs
% CT
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
24.3%
48.6%
23.8%
10.9%
5.1%
8.6%
10.9%
11.1%
11.3%
12.7%
24.0%
18.6%
10.9%
5.5%
7.4%
5.0%
8.1%
13.0%
9.5%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
CT
Solar
Jobs
% CT
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
1,047
53.6%
57.4%
81
4.1%
14.5%
566
29.0%
11.7%
166
8.5%
10.8%
92
4.7%
5.7%
MAINE
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
330
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
39
(11.7%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#43
18.6
#35
48
Maine
Maine ranks 31st in total installed solar capacity
in the nation and fourth among the six New England states. Maine is fifth in the region in terms
of per capita solar capacity (just under 14 watts
per person) and only slightly ahead of New
Hampshire (11 watts per person). Though the
5.5 megawatts (MW) added last year through
the third quarter represents over 40% growth
in the states cumulative 2014 installed capacity27, whether the state is able to maintain strong
positive solar growth remains to be seen. As
of November 2015, the Maine solar industry
supported 330 solar workers at 48 companies
across the state.
While Maine may not stand out to most as an ideal location for solar, a photovoltaic (PV) system
installed in Portland produces over 90% of the
electricity on an annual basis as a comparable
system operating in Miami, Florida28. ResidenDemographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% ME
Solar
Jobs
% ME
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
19.0%
48.9%
23.8%
1.1%
5.1%
8.6%
11.3%
26.7%
29.6%
18.6%
5.5%
9.0%
8.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
ME
Solar
Jobs
% ME
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
220
66.6%
57.4%
2.1%
14.5%
41
12.5%
11.7%
21
6.3%
10.8%
41
12.5%
5.7%
A comprehensive new solar policy is being actively discussed in Maine. The Maine Public Utilities Commission has been coordinating a stakeholder-driven process to develop an alternative
to the states current net metering-only regime.31
Though a final report on the process is not due
to the legislature until January 30, 2016, the latest proposal is designed to help the state achieve
255 MW of total installed solar capacity by 2021,
with specific targets for different market segments.32
Despite policy uncertainty, Maine solar employers remain somewhat optimistic about the
states solar industry and employment growth.
By late 2016, the Maine solar industry is expected to realize a net gain of 370 solar workers.33
17
MASSACHUSETTS
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
15,095
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
1,306
(8.6%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#2
944.5
#2
403
Read the full Massachusetts Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
Massachusetts
As in previous years, Massachusetts remained
a national leader in solar throughout 2015. By
Q3 2015, its cumulative installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity had grown to nearly 945
megawatts (MW).34 Though the state ranks just
outside of the top five in terms of total installed
capacity, its focus on the more labor-intensive
residential and non-residential market segments (as compared with the utility-scale segment) has contributed to its ranking as 2nd in
the nation for solar employment. As of November 2015, the Massachusetts solar industry supported 15,095 solar workers.
To date, Massachusetts solar growth has been
largely driven by the non-residential market
segment, which represented nearly 70% of
the states cumulative installed solar capacity
through Q3 2015. While the first quarter of the
year was strongest Q1 ever for this market segDemographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% MA
Solar
Jobs
% MA
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
22.4%
48.7%
23.8%
4.2%
6.7%
8.6%
3.8%
8.5%
11.3%
13.4%
24.2%
18.6%
5.5%
4.5%
4.9%
8.1%
1.9%
6.7%
5.1%
MA
Solar
Jobs
% MA
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
8,741
57.9%
57.4%
Manufacturing
2,098
13.9%
14.5%
901
6.0%
11.7%
2,811
18.6%
10.8%
544
3.6%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
Despite policy uncertainty, Massachusetts remains one of the nations strongest solar markets, with 2016 installed capacity across all market segments projected to exceed that expected
by the end of 2015. Solar employers in the state
are optimistic though guardedly so about employment growth over the next twelve months.39
19
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
731
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
13
(1.8%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#36
14.0
#17
73
New Hampshire
Though a relatively small solar market, New
Hampshire has seen rapid growth in installed
capacity since 2014, a trend that is expected to
continue within the confines of current state
policies impacting solar development. As of October 2015, New Hampshire had 14 megawatts
(MW) of cumulative operating solar photovoltaic
(PV) capacity, with nearly half of this total (6.5
MW) coming online in the first three quarters of
the year.40
% NH
Solar
Jobs
% NH
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
17.6%
48.2%
23.8%
2.4%
8.6%
11.5%
2.8%
11.3%
23.9%
25.8%
18.6%
5.5%
8.0%
8.3%
8.1%
8.2%
1.3%
5.1%
NH
Solar
Jobs
% NH
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
471
64.5%
57.4%
Manufacturing
110
15.0%
14.5%
113
15.5%
11.7%
24
3.3%
10.8%
12
1.7%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
RHODE ISLAND
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
941
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
138
(14.6%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#34
17.2
#11
26
Rhode Island
As of Q3 2015, just over 17 megawatts (MW)
of solar photovoltaic capacity were installed
throughout Rhode Island, with 3.2 MW (nearly
20% of the states total capacity) coming online
in the first three quarters of the year.52 This internal capacity growth, as well as the states
small size and proximity to Connecticut and
Massachusetts the two largest solar markets
in the region has given rise to a strong solar
workforce. As of November 2015, the Rhode Island solar industry supported 941 solar workers at 26 companies across the state.
% RI
Solar
Jobs
% RI
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
23.5%
48.9%
23.8%
4.3%
8.6%
3.3%
10.6%
11.3%
11.1%
24.7%
18.6%
5.5%
3.9%
6.3%
8.1%
6.7%
5.9%
5.1%
RI
Solar
Jobs
% RI
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
661
70.2%
57.4%
Manufacturing
71
7.6%
14.5%
60
6.4%
11.7%
119
12.6%
10.8%
30
3.2%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
ceiving a grade of B for each policy from Freeing the Grid.54 In addition to these policies, the
Commerce Corporation Renewable Energy Fund
(REF) has served as a significant driver of new
solar development.55
The near future holds both opportunities and potential challenges for solar. In the spring of 2015,
National Grid announced its Renewable Energy
Growth Small Scale Solar initiative, a performance-based incentive program which aims to
bring 12 MW of small-scale solar online over the
next four years and potentially more significant
quantities of medium- and large-scale systems.56
In 2015, the Public Utilities Commission began
investigating the impacts of net metering and
distributed energy resources in a revenue neutral rate design proceeding.57 However, National Grid withdrew the rate proposal filed under
this process, ending the proceeding without any
changes to rate design.58 New dockets on rate design are expected in early 2016.
Nearly 140 new solar workers are expected by
the end of 2016, nearly 15% growth from 2015.59
23
VERMONT
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,367
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
178
(13.0%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#31
104.4
#3
77
Read the full Vermont Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
Vermont
The Vermont solar industry has grown quickly
over the last few years, reaching a cumulative installed solar capacity of just over 100 megawatts
(MW) by Q3 2015.60 This rapid increase, along
with the growth of several Vermont-based solar
manufacturers, has been a strong driver of solar employment. As of November 2015, the state
solar industry employed 1,367 solar workers, at
77 companies across the state.
Vermonts solar success can be seen as the product of supportive and stable state policies. In
June 2015, the state enacted a Renewable Energy Standard (RES) that requires all utilities to
derive 55% of annual retail sales from renewable resources by the beginning of 2017. This requirement increases through 2032, when it caps
off at 75%. The RES also includes a carve-out for
distributed renewable generation (including solar) of 1% by 2017, increasing to 10% by 2032,
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% VT
Solar
Jobs
% VT
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
25.9%
48.6%
23.8%
0.9%
8.6%
11.3%
27.2%
29.4%
18.6%
8.1%
5.5%
8.1%
6.6%
8.1%
5.1%
VT
Solar
Jobs
%
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
804
58.8%
57.4%
Manufacturing
252
18.4%
14.5%
94
6.9%
11.7%
64
4.7%
10.8%
153
11.2%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
Growth has also been driven by a strong net metering policy. Statewide, for systems under 15
kilowatts (kW) in size, solar customers receive
an additional solar adder of $0.20 minus the
utilitys retail rate ($0.19 less retail for larger
systems) for all metered gross kilowatt-hours
(kWh) their system produces for 10 years.62
However, changes to the statewide net metering
rules are currently pending at the PSB.63
DIVISION 2
MIDDLE ATLANTIC
The Middle Atlantic Division is comprised of
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. The
average utility rate in this region is 13.22 cents
per kWh, which is higher than the national average of 10.51 cents per kWh.66 While this region
is not typically associated with a strong solar resource, a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) system
installed in New York City, New York, produces
over 87% of the electricity on an annual basis as
a comparable system operating in Miami,
Florida.67
During 2015, there were several large installations around New Jersey. New Jersey Resources Clean Energy Ventures completed a 9.9 MW
grid-connected solar farm in Howell and a 6.1
MW system in North Hanover.71 The Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G), which
serves approximately three-quarters of New
Jersey residents, constructed two new solar
farms on previous landfills in Bordentown and
Deptford.72 In December 2015, PSE&G complet26
Solar Jobs
State
Jobs
National
Rank
New Jersey
7,071
New York
Pennsylvania
8,250
2,498
20
Jobs Per
Capita
Rank
2016
Projected
Growth
Cumilative
Installed
Capacity (MW)
National
Rank
12
10.3%
1,573.8
21
40
ed its 27th solar farm on the former L&D Landfill in Burlington County73 The 12.9 MW project
will provide enough energy for approximately
2,000 New Jersey homes.74
In April 2015, Pennsylvanias Public Utility Commission (PUC) voted to adopt a proposed final
rule and to receive public comments on the proposed changes, which would increase the cap on
net energy metering from 110% to 200% of a
residents annual power usage.75 The proposed
final rule will undergo an 18-month review by
Pennsylvanias legislature before it goes into effect in September 2016.76
Most jobs within the Division are in the installation sector. New Jersey and New York employ
a greater percentage of installers than other
sectors and are above the national average for
installation sector workers (57.4%). Conversely,
Pennsylvania employs fewer installers (40.1%)
than the national average. Solar firms in Pennsylvania employ significantly more African
Americans (17.9%) compared to firms nationally (5.2%). Pennsylvania and New York employ
more women than firms nationally, while firms
in New Jersey employ fewer women.
Middle Atlantic Division hiring requirements
varied considerably from those nationally. Division firms placed greater emphasis on previous work experience and education than firms
State Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
Solar Capacity
11.6%
19.9%
569.8
250.4
14
*through Q3 2015
Middle Atlantic
Division
National
87.2%
67.0%
32.0%
24.2%
$20.80
$21.00
Hiring Requirements
Previous Work Experience
Bachelor's Degree or Beyond
Associate's Degree or Certificate but not BA
Hiring Dificulty
Very Difficult
Somewhat Difficult
Not at all Difficult
Median Wages
Installer
Sales Representative
RPS
Target
RPS Target
Deadline
20.38%
2021
NY
29%
2015
57.5%
51.7%
10.3%
24.2%
$28.85
$26.00
$15.00
NJ
9.7%
Policy Grades
PA
17.1%
$24.52
Assembly Worker
Net
InterconMeter. nection
34.9%
$26.44
Designer
State
57.4%
8%
2021
RPS Notes
Relevant RPS
Carve Out Target %
4.1% Solar
0.5% Solar
28
29
NEW JERSEY
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
7,071
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
727
(10.3%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#5
1,573.8
#12
528
Read the full New Jeresy Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
New Jersey
Through Q3 2015, approximately 122.6 megawatts (MW) of PV capacity were installed in
New Jersey, and the state is on track to equal or
exceed the 239.8 MW installed in the previous
year.85 The state reached a cumulative installed
PV capacity of approximately 1,574 MW by Q3
2015.86 As of November 2015, there were 7,071
solar workers employed in New Jersey.
In August 2015, New Jersey Governor Chris
Christie signed legislation that authorized the
states Board of Public Utilities (BPU) to cap
aggregate net metering at 2.9% of total annual
kilowatt-hours (kWh) sold in the state during
the previous 12-month period.87 Prior to this
legislation, state regulators capped net metering
at 2.5% of peak demand, although historically the BPU permitted net metering beyond this
limit.88 During 2015, there were several large
installations around the state. New Jersey ReDemographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% NJ
Solar
Jobs
% NJ
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
16.2%
46.4%
23.8%
0.7%
9.4%
8.6%
10.9%
18.8%
11.3%
12.5%
24.9%
18.6%
0.7%
5.5%
7.4%
3.6%
8.1%
3.5%
13.3%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
NJ
Solar
Jobs
% NJ
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
4,303
60.9%
57.4%
697
9.9%
14.5%
769
10.9%
11.7%
733
10.4%
10.8%
570
8.1%
5.7%
NEW YORK
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
8,250
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
957
(11.6%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#4
569.8
#21
631
Read the full New York Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
New York
Through Q3 2015, 174 megawatts (MW) of PV
capacity were installed in New York, a roughly
17% increase in the states 2014 installed capacity.95 Cumulative PV capacity in New York equals
approximately 570 MW.96 As of November 2015,
there were 8,250 solar jobs throughout the solar
market in New York.
The Public Service Commission (NYPSC) adopted the new, Reforming the Energy Vision, plan
which will alter the rate structure for utilities
operating within the state.97 The February 2015
Order set a framework for utilities to function as
Distributed System Platform (DSP) providers.98
In April 2015, the NYPSC issued an order as part
of the Transition Plan which changed remote net
metering from monetary to volumetric crediting.99 In July 2015 state staff proposed a new rate
structure and utility business model to promote
the use of distributed energy resources.100 Also
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% NY
Solar
Jobs
% NY
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
26.9%
47.6%
23.8%
9.9%
9.0%
8.6%
7.4%
15.7%
11.3%
13.5%
22.7%
18.6%
18.8%
5.5%
6.7%
4.1%
8.1%
4.0%
15.9%
5.1%
NY
Solar
Jobs
% NY
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
5829
70.7%
57.4%
Manufacturing
800
9.7%
14.5%
974
11.8%
11.7%
326
3.9%
10.8%
322
3.9%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
PENNSYLVANIA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
2,498
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
496
(19.9%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#20
250.4
#40
493
Pennsylvania
In 2015, 5.6 megawatts (MW) of PV capacity
were installed in Pennsylvania, a decrease from
approximately 10 MW installed in the previous
year.107 The Commonwealths cumulative photovoltaic (PV) installed capacity through Q3 2015
was approximately 250.4 MW.108 As of November
2015, there were 2,498 solar workers employed
at 493 companies throughout Pennsylvania.
In 2015, Pennsylvanias Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard (Standard), now in its eleventh
year, required utilities to derive 5.0% of the
states energy from Tier I sources, which include renewable sources such as solar PV.109 The
Standard includes a 0.144% solar carve-out for
2015, which is set to increase gradually to 0.5%
by 2021.110 In 2015, the price of Tier I alternative
energy credits doubled to $20 from 2014, while
solar credits have decreased from $325 in 2010
to an average of approximately $30 in 2015.111,
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% PA
Solar
Jobs
% PA
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
31.8%
47.8%
23.8%
6.4%
3.2%
8.6%
10.2%
5.9%
11.3%
18.5%
24.3%
18.6%
5.5%
7.8%
6.5%
8.1%
17.9%
9.1%
5.1%
PA
Solar
Jobs
% PA
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
1001
40.1%
57.4%
Manufacturing
660
26.4%
14.5%
442
17.7%
11.7%
182
7.3%
10.8%
213
8.5%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
In April 2015, the states Public Utility Commission (PUC) proposed a final rule which would
increase the cap on net electric metering from
110% to 200% of a residents annual power usage.113 The final rule will undergo an 18-month
review by the state legislature before it goes
into effect in September 2016.114 Governor Tom
Wolfs proposed budget included $50 million to
restore the solar rebate program which ended
in 2013 when the $100 million of funding was
exhausted.115 At the time of writing, however,
no budget for 2016 had been approved.116 In
April 2015, the PUC reached a settlement with
FirstEnergy and approved fixed charge increases
for the companys four Pennsylvania subsidiaries.117 The PUC also reached a settlement with
PECO and PPL which permitted PECO to increase
monthly fixed charges by 18.5%, while the fixed
rate for PPL would remain unchanged. 118, 119
112
DIVISION 3
Michigan currently maintains the lowest levels of installed capacity in the Division, though
non-residential capacity additions more than
doubled over the previous year due to the introduction of the states first community solar
programs.124 2016 promises a dramatic acceleration of this shift to larger projects, all of which
should largely be unaffected by proposed changes to the states net metering policy currently under discussion by the state legislature. 125
Despite the successful culmination of the states
existing RPS at the end of 2015, and the fact that
36
Solar Jobs
State
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Ohio
Wisconsin
Solar Capacity*
2015
Jobs
National
Rank
Jobs Per
Capita
Rank
2016
Projected
Growth
Cumulative
Installed
Capacity (MW)
National
Rank
3,483
14
33
13.20%
57.0
26
4,811
11
22
20.20%
106.9
20
1,567
2,779
1,941
30
18
26
36
32
27
Similar to the national trend, the majority of solar workers in the Division are in the installation
sector. With the exception of Wisconsin (52.1%)
and Illinois (46.8%), the Division exceeds the
national average (57.4%) of solar workers employed in the installation sector. All states in the
Division employ manufacturing workers near
or above the national average (14.5%), with the
exception of Indiana, which has a substantially
smaller share of manufacturing workers (3.7%).
Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio employ a lower
11.70%
119.7
7.60%
21.9
14.30%
17.9
19
33
30
*through Q3 2015
37
East North
Central Division
National
67.2%
67.0%
26.3%
24.2%
$24.50
$21.00
Hiring Requirements
Previous Work Experience
Bachelor's Degree or Beyond
Associate's Degree or Certificate but not BA
Hiring Dificulty
Very Difficult
Somewhat Difficult
Not at all Difficult
Median Wages
Installer
Sales Representative
Designer
Assembly Worker
The majority of the East North Central Division
states have strong policy incentives for solar
power. Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio received a B
or higher grade for net metering and interconnection.127 Ohio Governor John Kasich directed
a freeze on clean energy standards until 2017,
at which point a 1% annual RPS in-crease will
commence.128 The RPS target of at least 10% for
every state will likely stimulate solar in the Division. Unfortunately, Illinois is the only state with
30.9%
10.9%
50.8%
22.9%
$31.25
$31.25
-
34.9%
9.7%
51.7%
24.2%
$28.85
$26.00
$15.00
a moderately robust RPS (25% by 2023). Additionally, Indiana and Ohio are the only states in
the Division with solar carve-outs, at 0.5% Solar and 1.5% Solar PV, respectively.129 Despite
the freeze on clean-energy standards, Ohios
solar market is expected to grow by over 20%
in 2016, nearly 6% more than any of the other
states in the East North Central Division.
38
Policy Grades
Net
Meter.
Interconnection
RPS
Target
RPS Target
Deadline
RPS Notes
Relevant RPS
Carve Out Target %
IL
25%
2023
IN
10%
2025
MI
10%
2015
OH
10%
2026
WI
10%
2015
State
0.5% Solar
-
39
ILLINOIS
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
3,483
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
458
(13.2%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#14
57.0
#33
274
Illinois
Approximately 3 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity was installed in Illinois by Q3 2015, significantly less than the 6.3 MW the previous
year - bringing the states cumulative installed
capacity to 57 MW.130 As of November 2015,
the Illinois solar industry employed 3,483 solar
workers (the second most in the region) at 274
companies across the state.
As state solar rebates and grants expired in December 2015, a bill was passed by the legislature
to extend the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Solar and Wind Energy Rebate and Grant program through 2020.
131
According to the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) a supplemental solar procurement,
approved in January 2015, has the capacity to
double the total solar installed on rooftops in the
state. The Illinois Power Agency plans to spend,
roughly, $30 million dollars on the new rooftop
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% IL
Solar
Jobs
% IL
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
36.2%
47.9%
23.8%
8.8%
5.2%
8.6%
10.6%
14.1%
11.3%
18.1%
21.5%
18.6%
5.9%
5.5%
8.7%
5.3%
8.1%
14.4%
11.8%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
IL
Solar
Jobs
% IL
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
1,631
46.8%
57.4%
822
23.6%
14.5%
752
21.6%
11.7%
154
4.4%
10.8%
126
3.6%
5.7%
INDIANA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,567
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
183
(11.7%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#30
119.7
#36
72
Indiana
Indianas solar industry, as of November 2015,
primarily accounted for 1,567 employment opportunities throughout the state. Through Q3
2015, approximately 7.3 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity were installed for the year, significantly less than the 58.5 MW in 2014 - bringing
the states cumulative installed capacity to 119.7
MW.136
The 119.7 MW of solar energy currently present in Indiana ranks them, nationally, in the top
20 for installed solar capacity. In late December
2015, two solar sites, utilizing over 40,000 solar
panels, came online in Southwest Indiana (Vigo
and Clay counties). The sites are expected to produce enough energy to power 500 homes.137 The
Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) built
a 16-acre solar farm in the town of Pendleton.
Though the energy generated does not directly
feed into the Pendleton area, the energy will reDemographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% IN
Solar
Jobs
% IN
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
20.0%
47.3%
23.8%
1.1%
1.7%
8.6%
6.4%
6.4%
11.3%
24.2%
21.5%
18.6%
2.6%
5.5%
9.2%
8.0%
8.1%
18.7%
7.2%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
IN
Solar
Jobs
% IN
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
1,344
85.7%
57.4%
58
3.7%
14.5%
41
2.6%
11.7%
43
2.7%
10.8%
81
5.2%
5.7%
MICHIGAN
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
2,779
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
397
(14.3%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#18
17.9
#32
202
Read the full Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
Michigan
As of September 2015, approximately 3.5 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity has been installed
in Michigan, already surpassing that installed
the previous year and nearly doubling that installed in 2013, bringing cumulative installed
capacity in the state near the 20 MW mark a
milestone likely reached by years end.141 Hiring
by the local solar industry has kept pace, and as
of November 2015 there are 2,779 solar workers employed throughout the solar value chain
across the state.
% MI
Solar
Jobs
% MI
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
20.5%
47.9%
23.8%
6.8%
4.1%
8.6%
2.3%
4.6%
11.3%
18.4%
22.3%
18.6%
2.3%
5.5%
4.2%
6.2%
8.1%
6.8%
11.5%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
MI
Solar
Jobs
% MI
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
1,897
68.2%
57.4%
383
13.8%
14.5%
24
0.9%
11.7%
276
9.9%
10.8%
200
7.2%
5.7%
duction of the states first community solar programs.143 The state also witnessed its first-ever
utility-scale solar development during the year
a 1.1 MW installation just outside of Ann Arbor
laying claim to the title of Michigans largest.144
The coming year promises a dramatic acceleration of this shift to larger projects, all of which
would largely be unaffected by proposed changes to the states net metering policy currently under discussion by the state legislature.145
Despite the successful culmination of the states
existing renewable portfolio standard at the end
of 2015, and the ongoing debate over future of
Michigan energy policy in Lansing, the local solar
industry projects a dramatic ramp-up in 2016.
Residential, non-residential, and utility-scale
market segments all expected to experience significant growth, and employers in the state have
begun hiring accordingly.146 Likewise, hiring in
the state is expected to continue, with employers
projecting the addition of nearly 380 new solar
workers in 2016, expanding the Michigan solar
workforce by more than 14% over the course of
the year.147
45
OHIO
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
4,811
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
972
(20.2%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#11
106.9
#22
235
Ohio
Approximately 4.4 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity were installed in Ohio through Q3 2015,
bringing the states cumulative installed capacity to nearly 107 MW.148 The local solar industry,
as of November 2015, accounted for 4,811 solar
workers at 235 companies throughout the Buckeye state.
The 107 MW of solar energy currently present in
Ohio ranks them in the top 15 nationally for installed solar capacity which is enough solar to
power over 12,000 homes. In 2014, investments
in Ohio solar capped the $36 million mark.149 In
June 2015, Gov. John Kasich signed Senate Bill
310, which implemented a two year freeze on
benchmarks for renewable energy and energy
efficiency in Ohio - resulting in a decrease in solar renewable energy credits (SRECs) that lower
the total cost of solar.150 However, another bill to
place an indefinite freeze on Ohios clean energy
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% OH
Solar
Jobs
% OH
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
19.6%
48.4%
23.8%
1.0%
1.9%
8.6%
2.9%
11.3%
21.6%
23.2%
18.6%
8.8%
5.5%
8.3%
7.1
8.1%
10.1%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
OH
Solar
Jobs
% OH
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
2,869
59.6%
57.4%
834
17.3%
14.5%
351
7.3%
11.7%
423
8.8%
10.8%
334
6.9%
5.7%
Ever since Ohio set goals for clean-energy programs in 2008, there has been a conscious effort
for utility companies to increase their investments in these particular programs. Though the
future of solar in Ohio is still undecided at the
state-level, some communities and the utilities
serving them are taking their own steps to pursue more solar. As an example, a recent agreement between the Sierra Club and American
Electric Power (AEP) could help the community
of Athens quadruple solar capacity in the next
five years.152
WISCONSIN
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,941
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
147
(7.6%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#26
21.9
#27
175
Wisconsin
Wisconsins solar capacity increased slightly in
2015, as approximately 2.1 megawatts (MW) of
solar capacity were installed through September. This activity brings the states cumulative
installed capacity to 21.9 MW.153 As of November
2015, the Wisconsin solar industry accounted
for 1,941 solar workers at 175 companies.
% WI
Solar
Jobs
% WI
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
34.6%
47.5%
23.8%
19.8%
2.2%
8.6%
11.9%
4.6%
11.3%
17.7%
22.9%
18.6%
0.4%
5.5%
4.6%
6.9%
8.1%
16.7%
4.4%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
WI
Solar
Jobs
% WI
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
1,012
52.1%
57.4%
354
18.2%
14.5%
223
11.5%
11.7%
202
10.4%
10.8%
151
7.8%
5.7%
Photo Credit:
Curt Tosh's farm solar project, Clean Energy Resource Team
DIVISION 4
While Minnesota has the highest number of solar workers at 1,995, Missouri leads the division
in cumulative installed capacity with 128.9 MW
of solar PV installed. Missouri will experience
the highest solar jobs growth rate, followed by
Minnesota, and Missouri currently has an active Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) with
a solar carve-out of 2%.164 Minnesota, on the
other hand, has implemented an RPS with a solar carve-out called the Solar Energy Standard,
which requires its large utilities to get 1.5% of
its energy through solar PV.165
Kansas and Iowa are likely to experience noticeable solar jobs growth. While Kansas has an RPS
in place, it was changed from a standard to a
voluntary goal in 2015.166 In contrast, Iowa
enjoys strong financial state incentives and so-
50
Solar Jobs
State
Iowa
Kansas
Minnesota
Missouri
North Dakota
Nebraska
South Dakota
Solar Capacity*168
Jobs
National
Rank
Jobs Per
Capita
Rank
2016
Projected
Growth
Cumulative
Installed
Capacity (MW)
National
Rank
349
41
44
9.9%
25.0
29
1,854
28
31
21.4%
128.9
17
6.8%
0.4
282
1,995
117
776
319
46
22
48
35
44
47
11.9%
42
3.6%
25
23
24
West North Central Divisions hiring requireState Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
20.5%
2.5%
5.2
26.6
0.4
1.3
41
28
50
46
50
*through Q3 2015
ments vary considerably from the national requirements. Firms in this Division place greatest emphasis on previous work experience at
22.5% which is still significantly below the national preference of 67%. In terms of hiring difficulty, this division parallels the national view
that hiring for solar workers is somewhat difficult. The lack of wage data makes it difficult
to compare it to the national wage data, but installers and designers are paid higher than the
national average in this division.
In terms of favorable solar policies, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska received a grade
of B for its net-metering policies. Kansas saw
a drop in its net-metering grade from a B to a
C due to reductions in maximum system size
allowed under net-metering. North Dakota received a grade of D for the same reasons as
Kansas and South Dakota received a grade of
F. Adopting IRECs net-metering model rules
will help these states improve its grade significantly. In terms of inter-connection, Iowa is the
only state in this division to receive a grade of
B and Minnesota and South Dakota received a
grade of C. The remaining states - Kansas, Missouri, North Dakota, and Nebraska received a
grade of F. Based on this, improved inter-connection policies and the adoption of IRECs in51
W. N. Central
Division
National
22.5%
67.0%
23.6%
24.2%
$25.00
$21.00
Hiring Requirements
Previous Work Experience
Bachelor's Degree or Beyond
Associate's Degree or Certificate but not BA
Hiring Dificulty
Very Difficult
Somewhat Difficult
Not at all Difficult
Median Wages
Installer
Sales Representative
Designer
Assembly Worker
14.4%
1.5%
44.4%
31.9%
-
$31.30
-
34.9%
9.7%
51.7%
24.2%
$28.90
$26.00
$15.00
52
Policy Grades
Net
Meter.
Interconnection
RPS
Target
RPS Target
Deadline
RPS Notes
Relevant RPS
Carve Out Target %
105
MW
Exceeded
20%
2020
MN
25%
2025
MO
15%
2021
NE
ND
10%
2015
10%
2015
State
IA
KS
SD
Voluntary
53
IOWA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
349
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
35
(9.9%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#41
25.0
#44
47
Iowa
Iowa currently employs 349 solar workers at
a total of 47 companies. These workers spend
more than 50% of their time on solar activities
compared to additional 626 solar workers that
spend less than 50% of their time on solar activities. Approximately 25 megawatts (MW)
of cumulative solar capacity (across all market
segments) was installed through Q3 of 2015,
a small increase from the 2014 aggregate total
of 21 MW170. Approximately one-third of the 25
MW is residential solar, with non-residential installations accounting for the remainder. This
ranks Iowa 29th in the nation in terms of solar
photovoltaic (PV) installations, a drop from the
2014 rank of 21.171
Iowas solar growth has been led by a combination of local demand and federal and state
incentives. These include state tax credits, financing options such as third-party power purDemographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
% IA
Solar
Jobs
% IA
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
16.0%
47.9%
23.8%
3.3%
8.6%
4.3%
11.3%
11.9%
24.4%
18.6%
5.5%
7.3%
8.1%
Veterans of
the U.S.
11.6%
Armed Forces
State Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
2.4%
5.1%
IA
Solar
Jobs
% IA
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
147
42.0%
57.4%
Manufacturing
75
21.6%
14.5%
48
13.8%
11.7%
44
12.6%
10.8%
35
10.0%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
chase agreements, and attractive interconnection standards and net metering policies.172 Iowa
has a strong net metering policy which is capped
at 500 kW for individual systems, with no limit
specified for aggregate capacity.173
Iowa will see an increase in installed solar PV capacity in all market segments in the coming year,
driving an increase in solar employment of nearly 10%.176
55
KANSAS
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
282
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
34
(11.9%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#46
5.2
#47
32
Kansas
Kansas currently employs 282 solar workers at
a total of 32 companies throughout the state,
ranking it 46th in the nation in terms of solar
employment. Kansas has a cumulative 5.2 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity
as of Q3 2015.177 Estimates show that Kansas has
the potential to produce 25% of its electricity
through rooftop solar panels.178
% KS
Solar
Jobs
% KS
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
30.4%
46.3%
23.8%
4.2%
8.6%
9.6%
11.3%
16.9%
24.3%
18.6%
5.5%
5.3%
7.6%
8.1%
5.1%
5.1%
KS
Solar
Jobs
% KS
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
182
64.5%
57.4%
Manufacturing
32
11.3%
14.5%
28
9.9%
11.7%
18
6.3%
10.8%
23
8.0%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
tem size limits for both residential and non-residential projects were lowered in 2015.
Midwest Energy, an electric cooperative located
in Hays, became the first utility in Kansas to offer a community solar garden option to its customers. Midwest Energy partnered with Clean
Energy Collective, a company that has pioneered
the model of delivering clean power-generation
through partnerships with utility customers.181
In 2014, IKEA also installed the largest solar array system in the state consisting of 2,394 panels
and producing approximately 986,800 kWh per
year at its Merriam store.182
57
MINNESOTA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,995
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
410
(20.5%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#22
26.6
#25
136
Read the full Minnesota Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
Minnesota
Minnesotas solar industry currently employees
1,995 solar workers which ranks it 22nd in the
nation in terms of solar jobs. There are 136 solar companies and Minnesotas current installed
solar capacity stands at 26.6 megawatts (MW)
through Q3 of 2015.183
In 2013, Minnesota established a 1.5 % Solar Energy Standard by 2020 requiring its large utilities to get this energy through solar photovoltaics (PV).184 As part of the same law, Xcel Energy
was required to offer a community solar garden
option to its customers. In 2015, Minnesota utility regulators imposed limits of five community
solar gardens that are co-located with a maximum size of 1 MW in response to Xcel energys
concerns.185 Minnesota is also the first state in
the nation to set value of solar tariff. This gives
the utilities the option to apply the value-of-solar formula in lieu of retail electric rate for credDemographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% MN
Solar
Jobs
% MN
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
15.4%
47.7%
23.8%
5.1%
3.5%
8.6%
26.3%
4.4%
11.3%
24.5%
21.6%
18.6%
24.8%
5.5%
9.8%
5.9%
8.1%
4.6%
4.6%
5.1%
MN
Solar
Jobs
% MN
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
347
17.4%
57.4%
Manufacturing
348
17.4%
14.5%
949
47.6%
11.7%
230
11.5%
10.8%
120
6.0%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
The State of Minnesota has strongly supported its solar industry through its Made in Minnesota Solar Incentive program. This program,
administered by the Minnesota Department of
Commerce, provides incentives for PV and solar thermal systems that meet the size and program criteria. Launched in 2013, this program
has an annual budget of up to $15 million for 10
years and runs through 2023. This also includes
$250,000 per year for solar thermal rebates.187
59
MISSOURI
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,854
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
396
(21.4%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#28
128.9
#31
114
Missouri
Missouri currently employs 1,854 solar workers at a total of 114 companies. The state ranks
28th in the nation for total solar employment. In
terms of cumulative installed solar capacity, the
state has 128.9 megawatts (MW) in operation
as of Q3 2015.188 Missouri has significant solar
potential. Rooftop solar PV could generate an
amount of electricity annually equal to 21% of
the states retail electricity sales from the year
2007.189
Missouri has a renewable energy portfolio standard which requires each investor-owned utilities to meet 15% of its annual retail sales with
renewable energy technologies by 2021. This
standard also has a solar carve-out (a portion of
the total renewable percentage requirement that
can only be met with solar technologies) of 2%
of each incremental portfolio requirement.190 All
utilities are required to offer net metering for
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
% MO
Solar
Jobs
% MO
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
15.7%
48.4%
23.8%
2.6%
1.7%
8.6%
2.6%
2.7%
11.3%
26.1%
22.5%
18.6%
5.5%
7.9%
8.1%
5.3%
Veterans of
the U.S.
10.1%
Armed Forces
State Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
10.0%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
MO
Solar
Jobs
% MO
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
1,188
64.1%
57.4%
123
6.6%
14.5%
327
17.6%
11.7%
129
7.0%
10.8%
88
4.7%
5.7%
Some Missouri utilities offer solar rebates. Kansas City Power and Light (KCP&L) currently offers a rebate of $1.50/watt.191 However, in 2015
Missouri utilities such as KCP&L and Empire
District Electric Cooperative proposed to significantly increase the fixed portion of the customers monthly bill.192
61
NEBRASKA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
776
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
19
(2.5%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#35
1.3
#23
21
Nebraska
Nebraska currently employs 776 solar workers at a total of 21 companies ranking it 35th
in the nation in solar employment. In terms of
jobs breakdown by sector, 476 (61%) of these
jobs are with project development firms. The
state has 1.3 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) installed capacity. However, Nebraska has great solar potential ranking 13th in the
nation.194 It has been suggested that Nebraska
could generate 21% of its energy demand from
rooftop solar panels.195
% NE
Solar
Jobs
% NE
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
20.0%
47.4%
23.8%
4.0%
5.1%
8.6%
9.9%
11.3%
17.5%
23.2%
18.6%
5.5%
6.8%
7.2
8.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
NE
Solar
Jobs
% NE
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
295
38.0%
57.4%
0.2%
14.5%
0.3%
11.7%
476
61.4%
10.8%
0.1%
5.7%
63
NORTH DAKOTA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
117
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
(3.6%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#48
0.4
#42
10
North Dakota
North Dakotas solar photovoltaic (PV) footprint is relatively small, with only 0.4 megawatts
(MW) of cumulative installed solar capacity as
of Q3 2015.200 This activity has supported 117
solar workers at approximately 10 companies,
ranking it 48th in the nation in terms of state solar employment.
North Dakota has a voluntary renewable portfolio goal that 10% of retail electricity sales be
derived from renewable or recycled energy by
2015.201 North Dakota also has a net metering
policy that has received a grade of D from Freeing the Grid, an annual report card for state net
metering and interconnection policies.202 Wind
and biofuels are the most dominant forms of renewable energy in the state. However, North Dakotas long summer days provide greater solar
potential than parts of Texas and Florida, making it a cost-effective solution for farmers and
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% ND
Solar
Jobs
% ND
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
24.3%
45.2%
23.8%
8.6%
3.0%
11.3%
11.8%
23.2%
18.6%
5.5%
2.2%
7.7%
8.1%
5.1%
ND
Solar
Jobs
% ND
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
64
54.8%
57.4%
Manufacturing
5.8%
14.5%
15
13.2%
11.7%
11
9.6%
10.8%
19
16.5%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
SOUTH DAKOTA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
319
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
22
(6.8%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#44
0.4
#24
16
South Dakota
South Dakota currently employs 319 solar
workers at a total of 16 companies throughout
the state. The state ranks it 44th in the nation
in terms of solar employment. South Dakota has
a cumulative 0.4 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity as of Q3 2015207 and has
the potential to generate at least 25% of its annual electricity consumption from rooftop solar
PV.208
South Dakota has a voluntary renewable portfolio goal that 10% of retail electricity sales be
derived from renewable, recycled, or conserved
energy by 2015.209 Hydroelectricity and wind
energy make a significant portion (approximately 65%) of the states renewable energy
generation.210
South Dakota currently does not have a net metering policy in place. Solar PV customers can
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% SD
Solar
Jobs
% SD
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
24.3%
46.9%
23.8%
8.6%
2.8%
11.3%
11.6%
24.9%
18.6%
5.5%
9.5%
8.5%
8.1%
5.1%
SD
Solar
Jobs
% SD
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
167
52.2%
57.4%
Manufacturing
22
7.0%
14.5%
30
9.5%
11.7%
59
18.6%
10.8%
41
12.7%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
Like its neighboring state North Dakota, solar energy is a great resource to power water
pumps in remote locations that lack the infrastructure, such as Rural Electrification Administration (REA) lines.213 However, issues such as
special demand rates for solar PV customers are
becoming more visible - as demonstrated by a
recent Black Hills Energy case (which was later
withdrawn) - and may pose a barrier to the solar
industry and affect the return on investment for
solar PV systems.
South Dakota solar employers expect to add 22
solar workers by the end of 2016, a figure that
represents 6.8% growth over its current workforce total.
67
DIVISION 5
SOUTH ATLANTIC
Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia,
Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia comprise the South Atlantic Division. With abundant resources and regions historically notorious for their cheap coal,
the average utility rate in this division is 10.06
cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) as of September
2015, which is below the national average of
10.51 cents per kWh.214 The region contains a
broad spectrum of solar resource opportunities,
from sunny Florida and Georgia, to more temperate states like Maryland and Delaware.
North Carolina is one of the nations front-runners for solar development, ranking fourth
overall for installed solar capacity at 1,263.6
MW through September of 2015. North Carolinas solar employers have not caught up to the
states level of solar capacity yet, ranking only
15th in the nation for jobs per capita, employing
5,950 solar workers. North Carolinas solar fu-
Florida, the state in the region with the best solar resource potential, also has the highest solar
jobs numbers, employing 6,560 solar workers,
ranking 8th in the nation. Despite its high number of solar jobs, it still has less installed solar
capacity, as of September 2015, than the much
smaller and less sunny state of Maryland. However, Floridas solar capacity may see strong
growth in 2016, especially in light of a 225 MW
project announced by Floridas largest utility
(FPL) and a 120 MW solar project announced by
Gulf Power on military facilities in Florida.216, 217
Washington D.C., the birthplace of the nations
federal solar policies, has the highest solar jobs
per capita in the region, with 1,000 solar employees, ranking 6th in the nation for solar jobs
68
Solar Jobs
State
Delaware
District of
Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Maryland
North Carolina
South Carolina
Virginia
West Virginia
Solar Capacity*221
2015
Jobs
National
Rank
Jobs Per
Capita
Rank
2016
Projected
Growth
Cumulative
Installed
Capacity (MW)
National
Rank
452
38
19
13.80%
67.2
24
6,560
28
7.80%
266.3
13
15
10.20%
1,263.6
12.90%
3.6
1,000
33
3,185
15
1,764
29
4,269
5,950
1,963
349
12
24
42
30
12.20%
26
20.20%
14
37
41
West Virginia and South Carolina both have difficult political climates for solar development,
and have seen limited solar growth in recent
years. Both states have installed relatively little solar capacity, however, South Carolina added several pro-solar policies in 2015, that may
likely be the reason the Palmetto state has the
highest projected solar job growth for 2016
(20.20%).218, 219
9.30%
8.50%
17.50%
15.4
211.4
337.5
9.6
18.3
35
15
12
4
37
32
44
*through Q3 2015
the region, for installed capacity through September of 2015 (337.5 MW).
The majority of the jobs within the South Atlantic Division are in the installation sector
(53.7%). There is a relatively even distribution
of manufacturing (13.6%), sales and distribution (11.1%), and project development (14.1%)
positions throughout the region, with the smallest portion of jobs in the other sector (7.4%).
As a region, the South Atlantics employment
distribution in these sectors is relatively close to
the national average for all sectors. Three states
within the region surpass the national average
for project development positions (10.8%):
Virginia, Florida, and Washington D.C. In the inverse, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, and North
Carolina all have above average proportions
of sales and distribution sector workers. Unsurprisingly, South Carolina and West Virginia,
which fall below the average in the above mentioned categories, have manufacturing sector
positions (28.7% and 19.9% respectively) that
are well above the national average (14.5%).
69
South Atlantic
Division
National
81.4%
67.0%
23.1%
24.2%
$18.00
$21.00
Hiring Requirements
Previous Work Experience
Bachelor's Degree or Beyond
Associate's Degree or Certificate but not BA
Hiring Dificulty
Very Difficult
Somewhat Difficult
Not at all Difficult
Median Wages
Installer
Sales Representative
Designer
Assembly Worker
Solar firms in the South Atlantic report significantly more stringent hiring requirements than
their counterparts nationwide. The region has a
higher percentage (81.4%) of firms that require
previous work experience than firms report nationally (67.0%). Similarly, a higher percentage
require a bachelors degree or beyond (52.8%)
than their national counterparts (34.9%).
Surprisingly, despite the higher than average
thresholds for entry, the region very closely
matches the national average in reported difficulty in finding qualified employees.
The South Atlantic Division has some of the nations leaders in solar development (e.g. North
Carolina) as well as some of the most underdeveloped solar markets in the nation (e.g. West
Virginia). Unsurprisingly, the region also has
a broad range of solar policies. However, solar
policies alone do not always tell the full story.
Georgias net metering and interconnection polState Solar Jobs Census Compendium 2015
52.8%
8.8%
52.3%
24.6%
$32.40
$20.00
-
34.9%
9.7%
51.7%
24.2%
$28.85
$26.00
$15.00
Policy
Grades226
Net
Meter.
Interconnection
RPS
Target
RPS Target
Deadline
RPS Notes
Relevant RPS
Carve Out Target %
DE
25%
2026
PV: 3.5%
DC
20%
2020
FL
GA
MD
NC
State
SC
20%
2022
12.5%
& 10%
2021
& 2018
2%
2021
VA
15%
2025
WV
Solar is classified as a
Tier 1 renewable resource
Solar: 2% by 2020
Solar: 0.2% by 2018
1% from 1 MW to
10 MW facilities 1%
from facilities under 1
MW with 25% of this
carve-out coming from
systems under 20 kW
-
71
DELAWARE
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
452
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
62
(13.8%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#38
67.2
#19
48
Delaware
Through Q3 of 2015, Delaware added 6.5 MW of
solar capacity, putting Delaware on pace to surpass the total capacity added in 2014 of 7.5MW.
The 6.5 MW added brings Delaware to 67.2 MW
of cumulative solar capacity through Q3 of 2015.
Delaware ranks 19th in the nation for solar jobs
per capita, with 452 solar jobs through 2015.
Delawares solar energy market has been driven in large part by the states solar-friendly policies and goals. In addition to residential solar
energy rebates and tax incentives, Delaware
has strong net-metering policies, and allows for
power purchase agreements and third-party
solar leasing.228 Delawares solar growth is also
largely driven by an aggressive renewable portfolio standard (RPS), which requires 25% of the
states energy to come from renewable sources
by 2025, with a 3.5% carve out for solar energy.229 Delaware has a solar renewable energy
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% DE
Solar
Jobs
% DE
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
22.2%
49.2%
23.8%
12.5%
4.0%
8.6%
7.5%
11.3%
31.6%
23.2%
18.6%
25.0%
5.5%
7.4%
7.0%
8.1%
12.5%
20.6%
5.1%
DE
Solar
Jobs
% DE
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
303
66.9%
57.4%
Manufacturing
37
8.2%
14.5%
68
14.9%
11.7%
35
7.7%
10.8%
10
2.2%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
Delawares solar market is likely to see an increased economic drive from increasing residential electricity prices, that rose over $0.12/
kWh between October 2014 and 2015, and are
now above average for the nation and region at
13.38 cents per kWh.232 While Delawares 3.5%
solar carve out by 2025 is one of the highest in
the U.S. for an RPS, solar may play an even larger percentage for Delawares in-state renewable
energy production future, considering it already
accounts for 85% of the renewable energy capacity produced in-state.233
73
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,000
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
93
(9.3%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#33
15.4
#6
130
District of Columbia
The District of Columbia saw substantial solar
capacity growth in 2015. The District added 6.1
megawatts (MW) through Q3 of 2015, putting it
on pace to nearly double its 2014 cumulative capacity (9.3 MW) in a single year. Washington D.C.
ended 2015 with 1,000 solar workers, which is
the highest solar jobs per capita in the region,
and ranks 6th in the country in terms of solar
jobs per capita.
The strong solar market in the nations capital is largely driven by high average electricity
prices (12.01 cents per kWh through September 2015)234, as well as a consistently high Solar Renewable Energy Certificate pricing ($480)
as a result of aggressive solar goals.235 The majority of the solar capacity in D.C. is residential
(59%).236 Aside from economic drivers, the robust residential solar market is bolstered by active government and non-profit solar programs
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% DC
Solar
Jobs
% DC
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
24.3%
50.3%
23.8%
3.9%
4.3%
8.6%
5.7%
10.3%
11.3%
27.1%
16.1%
18.6%
5.5%
3.3%
4.0%
8.1%
7.2%
35.1%
5.1%
DC
Solar
Jobs
% DC
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
324
32.4%
57.4%
Manufacturing
89
8.9%
14.5%
36
3.6%
11.7%
220
22.0%
10.8%
330
33.0%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
targeting D.C. residents, such as the DC Sustainable Energy Utility237 and the Community Power
Network.238 The district also benefits from recently-adopted solar-friendly policies, such as a
Solar Energy Property Tax Credit and an active
Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy
financing program, among others.239 Non-residential capacity constitutes the remaining 41%
of D.C.s solar installations.240 The proportion of
non-residential solar is likely to grow in 2016,
especially in light of the District of Columbias
plans to construct the nations largest municipal
onsite solar project, installing 11.4 MW of solar
on 34 District-owned roofs and parking lots.241
While solar jobs are expected to continue to increase in the District of Columbia next year by
9.3%, the future of the areas solar marketplace
remains uncertain due to the pending Exelon
merger with Pepco, D.C.s electric utility. While
the merger currently contains provisions for
Exelon to provide $3.5 million to a Renewable
Energy Development Fund, as well as a commitment to develop 10 MW of solar in D.C., a deal
has yet to be finalized.242
75
FLORIDA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
6,560
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
514
(7.8%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#8
266.3
#28
425
Read the full Florida Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
Florida
Through Q3 of 2015, Florida added 32.1 MW
of solar capacity, which already surpassed the
year-end total capacity added in 2014, bringing
the cumulative solar capacity in Florida to 191.3
MW. Florida ranks 4th in the region for cumulative installed solar capacity. Floridas growing
solar market brought increased solar jobs to
the region, totaling 6,560 solar jobs in the state
through 2015. Florida ranks 8th in the nation for
total solar jobs, however, the state ranks 28th
for solar jobs per capita. Florida has the regions
highest number and percentage of project development solar positions. Residential solar accounts for 22% of Floridas solar capacity, with
non-residential and utility-scale equally dividing the remaining 78% of the solar market.243
While the state has mostly favorable net metering policies, third-party ownership is not broadly allowed. Smaller electric cooperatives and
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% FL
Solar
Jobs
% FL
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
15.3%
47.3%
23.8%
10.4%
15.1%
5.1%
11.4%
3.0%
8.6%
19.5%
23.3%
11.3%
6.6%
24.4%
18.6%
1.0%
5.5%
6.0%
8.4%
8.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
FL
Solar
Jobs
% FL
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
3,217
49.0%
57.4%
735
11.2%
14.5%
449
6.8%
11.7%
1,974
30.1%
10.8%
185
2.8%
5.7%
GEORGIA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
3,185
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
388
(12.2%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#15
211.4
#30
195
Georgia
In 2015, Georgias solar market saw even greater growth than the robust performance in 2014.
Georgia added 50.3 MW of solar capacity through
Q3 of 2015, however, Georgia is expected to
more than quadruple the 2015 total capacity
in Q4 alone. Georgias strong projected finish to
2015 would nearly triple the states cumulative
solar capacity at the end of 2014 (161.1 MW), in
just one year. Despite Georgias accelerating solar installations and growing solar market, Georgia still ranks 30th in the nation for solar jobs
per capita, with 3,185 solar jobs.
Georgias solar market continues to be dominated by utilities. As of Q3 2015, 85% of the states
cumulative solar capacity was utility-owned.249
However, Georgias total capacity from such
projects is down from 95% in 2014.250 Georgias
higher-than-average share of utility capacity
is largely driven by Georgia Powers 2012 iniDemographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
% GA
Solar
Jobs
% GA
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
26.5%
46.9%
23.8%
14.7%
4.6%
8.6%
15.2%
7.4%
11.3%
29.6%
19.0%
18.6%
5.5%
8.5%
8.1%
24.5%
Veterans of
the U.S.
15.1%
Armed Forces
29.5%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
GA
Solar
Jobs
% GA
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
1,484
46.6%
57.4%
751
23.6%
14.5%
392
12.3%
11.7%
305
9.6%
10.8%
254
8.0%
5.7%
TSF's solar jobs numbers are close to the results found by Southface. The slight difference is due to methodology. More on Southface's approach can be found here
79
MARYLAND
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
4,269
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
361
(8.5%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#12
337.5
#14
182
Maryland
In 2015, Maryland saw continued growth in its
solar capacity. The 115.2 MW of solar capacity
added in Maryland through Q3 of 2015 already
surpassed the states year-end total of 80 MW in
2014.257 The growth in Marylands solar capacity
in 2015 was also reflected in local solar industry
hiring, bringing the total solar jobs in Maryland
from 3,010 in 2014 to 4,269 in 2015, ranking
12th among all states for solar jobs.
Residential solar demand continues to constitute the majority of Marylands solar market,
accounting for 58% of last years solar installations through Q3 (66.9 MW).258 The passage of
a Maryland Community Solar bill in April 2015
will allow individual residents greater access to
large scale commercial solar projects, and may
start to shift the landscape of Marylands solar
marketplace.259 Marylands solar energy industry also benefited from a continued stable soDemographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% MD
Solar
Jobs
% MD
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
27.6%
48.5%
23.8%
4.1%
8.0%
8.6%
5.9%
9.5%
11.3%
18.1%
23.9%
18.6%
5.5%
7.0%
7.0%
8.1%
14.5%
28.0%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
MD
Solar
Jobs
% MD
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
3,025
70.9%
57.4%
300
7.0%
14.5%
675
15.8%
11.7%
128
3.0%
10.8%
141
3.3%
5.7%
81
NORTH CAROLINA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
5,950
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
604
(10.2%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#9
1,263.6
#15
188
Read the full North Carolina Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
North Carolina
North Carolina is second in the nation for solar
capacity. Through Q3 of 2015, North Carolina
installed 310.4 MW of solar capacity, bringing
the cumulative installed capacity in the state to
1,263.6 MW.266 North Carolina is predicted to
have a highly productive Q4 (adding more than
700 MW), and will likely double the states cumulative capacity from 2014 (953.2 MW), by the
end of 2015. North Carolina ranks 15th nationally in solar jobs per capita, with 5,950 jobs.
North Carolinas solar rush had been driven
by a combination of the nations largest state
solar tax credit (35%) and a standard-offer rate
for power purchase agreements between utilities and solar generators for non-residential solar projects less than 5 MW. The push for utility-scale solar installations completed before the
end of 2015 were driven by the expected end-ofyear expiration of the states significant tax credDemographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% NC
Solar
Jobs
% NC
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
24.2%
47.5%
23.8%
4.8%
3.1%
8.6%
3.8%
9.8%
11.3%
23.1%
22.2%
18.6%
1.0%
5.5%
7.8%
8.0%
8.1%
5.3%
20.3%
5.1%
NC
Solar
Jobs
% NC
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
2,384
40.1%
57.4%
Manufacturing
1,144
19.2%
14.5%
995
16.7%
11.7%
572
9.6%
10.8%
855
14.4%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
TSF's solar jobs numbers are close to the results found by the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association. The slight difference is due to methodology. More on NCSEA's approach here.
83
SOUTH CAROLINA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,764
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
357
(20.2%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#29
9.6
#26
51
South Carolina
Through Q3 of 2015, South Carolina added 1.6
MW of solar capacity, bringing the states total
solar capacity to 9.6 MW. The Palmetto State is
expected to finish 2015 strong, by more than
doubling the states solar capacity in Q4 alone.271
Approximately 51 companies along the solar
value chain provided employment to 1,764 solar
workers.272 The state has the highest percentage
of solar manufacturing jobs in the region.
While the state has a robust solar resource, South
Carolina lawmakers have only recently worked
to enact policies typically associated with solar
industry growth. Critically, South Carolina did
not have a clear net-metering policy until the
Public Service Commission approved of a settlement agreement between solar stakeholders
in March of 2015.273 In addition, it was not until
2014 that South Carolina permitted third-party
ownership of solar installations. South Carolina
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
% SC
Solar
Jobs
% SC
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
17.6%
48.0%
23.8%
2.0%
8.6%
10.0%
4.5%
11.3%
14.6%
21.2%
18.6%
10.0%
5.5%
8.9%
8.1%
10.0%
Veterans of
the U.S.
15.7%
Armed Forces
State Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
25.0%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
SC
Solar
Jobs
% SC
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
1,093
62.0%
57.4%
506
28.7%
14.5%
86
4.8%
11.7%
49
2.8%
10.8%
31
1.7%
5.7%
VIRGINIA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,963
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
342
(17.5%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#24
18.3
#37
180
Virginia
Virginia saw a 25% increase in solar installations in 2015. Through Q3 of 2015, 7.1 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity were added, which
already surpassed the year-end total of 5.7 MW
in 2014.278 Virginia is predicted to have a strong
Q4 for solar installations, which will only add to
the accelerated solar growth between 2014 and
2015. Virginias solar job market, however, is still
behind most of the country, ranking 37th in jobs
per capita at a total of 1,963 solar jobs in 2015.
Virginias solar workforce lags behind many of
its neighbors in the region.279 Virginias solar
market development may be limited, in part, by
low average electricity prices (9.35 cents/kW)280
as well as a lack of solar-friendly policies. Virginia does not broadly allow for third-party solar
PPAs, and also has low limits on the size and aggregate capacity of net-metered solar projects.281
Through Q3, Virginias cumulative solar capacity
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% VA
Solar
Jobs
% VA
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
23.9%
47.3%
23.8%
6.5%
7.1%
8.6%
17.7%
7.8%
11.3%
28.8%
23.1%
18.6%
5.5%
8.9%
12.1%
8.1%
9.7%
18.0%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
VA
Solar
Jobs
% VA
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
1,193
60.8%
57.4%
161
8.2%
14.5%
142
7.3%
11.7%
277
14.1%
10.8%
189
9.7%
5.7%
In April, the Governor signed a legislation package that included a doubling of the net energy
metering capacity cap, amendments to Virginias
property assessed clean energy program that
will allow for easier commercial access to solar financing, the creation of the Virginia Solar
Development Authority, and the extension of a
Green Jobs Tax Credit.283 That same month, the
Attorney General issued an opinion letter clarifying the limited role homeowner associations
may play in restricting residential solar installations.284 In June, Amazon announced plans to
build an 80 MW solar farm in Virginia that is projected to create 300-400 local solar jobs.285 Most
recently, in December 2015, Governor McAuliffe announced that Virginia will work with the
states largest utility to procure 110 MW of solar
in the next 3 years, bolstering future local solar
job potential.286
87
WEST VIRGINIA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
349
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
45
(12.9%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#42
3.6
#41
26
West Virginia
West Virginias solar market development
lags behind the rest of the region. Through Q3
of 2015, West Virginia added a region-low of
0.5 MW of solar capacity. The 2015 additions
brought the states cumulative solar capacity to
3.6 MW, ranking it 44th in the nation for cumulative capacity, and last in the region. Not surprisingly, West Virginias solar job market is last in
the region as well. West Virginia employs 349
workers in the solar industry, ranking it 41st in
the nation for solar jobs per capita.
% WV
Solar
Jobs
% WV
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
24.3%
47.8%
23.8%
3.1%
5.1%
8.6%
5.3%
1.6%
11.3%
24.9%
18.6%
5.5%
4.5%
8.7%
8.1%
WV
Solar
Jobs
% WV
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
226
64.7%
57.4%
Manufacturing
69
19.9%
14.5%
17
4.9%
11.7%
22
6.3%
10.8%
15
4.2%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
89
DIVISION 6
Solar Jobs
State
Alabama
Kentucky
Mississippi
Tennessee
Solar Capacity*
2015
Jobs
National
Rank
Jobs Per
Capita
Rank
2016
Projected
Growth
Cumulative
Installed
Capacity (MW)
National
Rank
287
45
50
22.4%
0.7
49
16
17.0%
128.2
18
1,002
560
3,798
32
37
13
39
48
15.9%
3.1%
3.8
0.8
43
48
*through Q3 2015
National
67.0%
19.4%
24.2%
$21.00
Hiring Requirements
Previous Work Experience
Bachelor's Degree or Beyond
Associate's Degree or Certificate but not BA
Hiring Dificulty
Very Difficult
Somewhat Difficult
Not at all Difficult
Median Wages
Installer
Sales Representative
Designer
Assembly Worker
Division by more than a factor of twenty in cumulative capacity with 128 MW, placing it 18th
nationally.317 This modest achievement, however, cannot be credited to state solar policymaking, which is virtually non-existent. Instead,
solar capacity and jobs figures are largely attributable to the outsized role of the TVA in Tennessee and in the Division in general. Experts
project that Tennessee will add 646 solar jobs
in 2016, representing 17% growth.
East South Central Division solar firms report
having difficulty hiring workers. Nationally and
in the Division, 77% of firms report some level
of difficulty, though fewer firms in the Division
report hiring to be very difficult (19%) than
on a national basis (24%). Data were not available for hiring requirements or median wages,
though national firms report a greater emphasis on previous work experience (67%) than on
higher education (45%), and wages above comparable positions in other industries.
East South Central states have weak policy inState Solar Jobs Census Compendium 2015
58.1%
22.6%
-
34.9%
9.7%
51.7%
24.2%
$28.85
$26.00
$15.00
Policy Grades
Net
Meter.
Interconnection
RPS
Target
RPS Target
Deadline
RPS Notes
Relevant RPS
Carve Out Target %
AL
KY
MS
TN
State
93
ALABAMA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
287
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
64
(22.4%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#45
0.7
#50
34
Alabama
As of Q3 2015, Alabama had about 700 kW of
cumulative installed solar capacity.323 The state
added no appreciable capacity in the 2015 calendar year.324 About 34 companies along the solar value chain325 provided employment to 287
solar workers.
% AL
Solar
Jobs
% AL
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
15.4%
47.5%
23.8%
9.1%
23.5%
5.1%
8.6%
4.0%
11.3%
33.3%
20.7%
18.6%
5.5%
7.7%
8.0%
8.1%
AL
Solar
Jobs
% AL
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
127
44.2%
57.4%
Manufacturing
21
7.4%
14.5%
20
7.1%
11.7%
89
31.0%
10.8%
29
10.3%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
tory caused 2015 deployment to falter.329 Meanwhile, TVA curtailed net metering benefits from
premium to retail rates, and reduced participation from 130 MW in 2015 to a 10 MW cap to
share among sectors in its seven-state territory
for 2016.330, 331, 332 TVA also cancelled the Renewable Standard Offer program to buy power from
systems up to 20 MW in 2016.333
KENTUCKY
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,002
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
159
(15.9%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#32
3.8
#39
44
Kentucky
As of the third quarter of 2015, Kentucky had
at least 3.8 megawatts (MW) of cumulative installed solar capacity.338, 339 The state added at
least 0.6 MW of solar capacity in the 2015 calendar year.340 Approximately 44 companies along
the solar value chain341 provided employment to
1,002 solar workers.
PSC-regulated Louisville Gas & Electric Company (LG&E) and Kentucky Utilities Company
(KU), Kentuckys largest utility conglomerate,
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
% KY
Solar
Jobs
% KY
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
11.2%
48.1%
23.8%
1.8%
8.6%
3.2%
11.3%
12.7%
21.7%
18.6%
5.5%
6.9%
8.1%
Veterans of
the U.S.
19.6%
Armed Forces
State Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
8.2%
5.1%
KY
Solar
Jobs
% KY
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
727
72.5%
57.4%
Manufacturing
259
25.9%
14.5%
11.7%
0.3%
10.8%
13
1.3%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
MISSISSIPPI
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
560
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
18
(3.1%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#37
0.8
#48
13
Mississippi
As of the third quarter of 2015, Mississippi had
about 0.8 megawatts (MW) of cumulative installed solar capacity.353 The only appreciable
solar capacity added in the 2015 calendar year
was a 0.5 MW Entergy-owned facility installed
by Mississippi-based manufacturer Stion Solar
in DeSoto County.354 About 13 companies along
the solar value chain355 provided employment to
560 solar workers.
Mississippi has a robust solar resource.356 Although Mississippi disallows third-party solar
financing and lacks a renewables standard, the
Mississippi Public Service Commission (PSC)
implemented a net metering rule in December
2015.357, 358 A PSC study commissioned in 2011
valued net metered electricity above the retail
rate, but Mississippi regulators set the benefit at
the supply rate, plus a $0.025 per kilowatt-hour
premium with an additional benefit for earDemographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% MS
Solar
Jobs
% MS
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
24.3%
47.7%
23.8%
8.6%
6.7%
3.0%
11.3%
21.0%
18.6%
5.5%
2.6%
8.2%
8.1%
18.7%
31.7%
5.1%
MS
Solar
Jobs
% MS
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
268
47.8%
57.4%
Manufacturing
107
19.1%
14.5%
152
27.1%
11.7%
19
3.4%
10.8%
14
2.6%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
With the effect of the new net metering rule unclear, large projects are likely to dominate the
state's solar market in 2016, which may hinder
sales and installation jobs potential relative to
small-scale projects.366 Mississippi Power, the
U.S. Navy, and private sector partners received
PSC approval in late 2015 to develop utility-scale
facilities totaling 105 MW of capacity.367 Chinese
module manufacturer Seraphim Solar began operations in Jackson in 2015, and will grow to a
gigawatt of capacity over three years, to employ
up to 250 workers.368, 369 Mississippi may outperform 2016 projections for solar jobs growth,
placed at 3.1%.
99
TENNESSEE
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
3,798
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
645
(17.0%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#13
128.2
#16
151
Tennessee
As of the third quarter of 2015, Tennessee had
about 128.2 megawatts (MW) of cumulative installed solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity.370 The
state added roughly 10.2 MW of solar capacity
through Q3 2015.371 151 companies along the
solar value chain372 provided employment to
3,798 solar workers.
% TN
Solar
Jobs
% TN
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
20.3%
46.5%
23.8%
2.2%
1.2%
8.6%
2.2%
5.9%
11.3%
19.8%
21.8%
18.6%
5.5%
4.6%
9.5%
8.1%
16.1%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
TN
Solar
Jobs
% TN
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
3,047
80.2%
57.4%
319
8.4%
14.5%
87
2.3%
11.7%
179
4.7%
10.8%
166
4.4%
5.7%
Compensation within the TVA Green Power Providers program for systems 50 kW and smaller
shrank from a premium rate to equal retail electric rates in 2016.376, 377 More importantly, TVA
sharply curtailed participation from 130 MW
total in 2015, to a 10 MW cap to share between
commercial and residential sectors across its
7-state territory for 2016.378, 379 Compounding
downward pressure, TVA discontinued its Renewable Standard Offer after 2015, which had
been successful in spurring 50kW to 20 MW solar garden and farm developments in previous
years. It is unclear whether TVA will invest in additional utility-scale projects, which account for
nearly half of Tennessees cumulative installed
capacity through 2015.380
In 2015, German polysilicon manufacturer invested $2.4 billion in a large production facility
in Charleston, which will employ up to 650 solar
workers and produce as much as 20,000 tons of
polysilicon annually.381 That is enough to manufacture about four gigawatts of solar modules,
which could power 830,000 American homes.
Solar jobs are expected to grow 17% in 2016.
101
DIVISION 7
Solar Jobs
State
Arkansas
Louisiana
Oklahoma
Texas
Solar Capacity*
2015
Jobs
National
Rank
Jobs Per
Capita
Rank
2016
Projected
Growth
Cumulative
Installed
Capacity (MW)
National
Rank
264
47
49
1.70%
4.6
42
34
403.4
10
1,974
395
7,030
23
39
20
46
-2.60%
7.90%
12.70%
76.2
5.4
23
40
*through Q3 2015
Many of the states within the West South Central region have weak policy incentives for solar
power, especially as it relates to interconnection. All of the states received an F for their interconnection policies, except for Texas, which
received a D. The region fared better for its
net metering policies. Arkansas received an A
and Louisiana received a B. These states credit
customers at the retail rate for net excess generation. Both Oklahoma and Texas received an
F for their net metering policies. Oklahoma received a failing grade because it does not require
103
National
58.8%
67.0%
27.9%
24.2%
$21.00
$15.00
Hiring Requirements
Previous Work Experience
Bachelor's Degree or Beyond
Associate's Degree or Certificate but not BA
Hiring Dificulty
Very Difficult
Somewhat Difficult
Not at all Difficult
Median Wages
Installer
Sales Representative
Designer
Assembly Worker
utilities to compensate customers for their net
excess generation. Net metering, as traditionally
defined, is unavailable to most electric customers throughout Texas.393, 394, 395, 396
Renewable portfolio standards (RPS), as they
currently stand, will not affect the deployment
of new solar installations in any of the states
within the West South Central region. Texas is
the only state in the region that requires a cer-
37.0%
8.6%
41.0%
31.1%
-
34.9%
9.7%
51.7%
24.2%
$28.85
$26.00
tain amount of renewable energy in its generation portfolio. Yet, Texas reached its 5,880 MW
requirement, as well as its 2025 goal of 10,000
MW, and has not implemented a new RPS mandate or goal. Oklahoma established a 15% by
2015 RPS goal, and also reached this capacity
without any extension in place. Neither Arkansas nor Louisiana has adopted a RPS.397
104
Policy Grades
Net
Meter.
Interconnection
RPS
Target
RPS Target
Deadline
RPS Notes
Relevant RPS
Carve Out Target %
AR
LA
OK
15%
2015
Voluntary
TX
State
5,880
MW
2015
105
ARKANSAS
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
264
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
(1.7%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#47
4.6
#49
21
Arkansas
Solar market growth stalled in Arkansas during
2015. Installations equaled approximately 0.2
megawatts (MW) by Q3 2015, falling short of the
2 MW installed in 2014.398, 399 This brings Arkansas cumulative installed capacity as of Q3 2015
to 4.6 MW.400 Solar jobs demonstrated a yearover-year decline, with 264 solar workers employed in the Arkansas solar industry in 2015.
% AR
Solar
Jobs
% AR
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
14.0%
47.4%
23.8%
8.6%
8.5%
11.3%
22.6%
20.1%
18.6%
5.5%
6.4%
8.1%
Veterans of
the U.S.
10.2%
Armed Forces
State Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
13.5%
5.1%
AR
Solar
Jobs
% AR
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
88
33.2%
57.4%
Manufacturing
46
17.3%
14.5%
10
3.9%
11.7%
68
25.6%
10.8%
53
20.0%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
Falling solar costs are the main driver of utility-scale projects in Arkansas, as the state lacks
a renewable portfolio standard. Two new solar
generation facilities, totaling 13 MW, are planning to open in the coming year.407, 408 Entergy Arkansas also announced plans for an 81 MW solar PV facility to open by mid-2019, which could
lead to 200 to 300 new construction jobs.409 Despite these plans for new facilities, solar jobs are
expected to only make modest gains in 2016 at a
projected growth rate of 1.7%.
107
LOUISIANA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,974
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
-51
(-2.6%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#23
76.2
#20
62
Louisiana
There were approximately 23.9 megawatts (MW)
of solar capacity installed in Louisiana in 2015
through Q3.410 Annual installations are projected to surpass 2014 numbers, which equaled 30.7
MW.411 These additions bring the cumulative installed capacity in Louisiana to 76.2 MW through
Q3 2015.412 Solar jobs kept pace with installation
trends, and the solar industry employed 1,974
solar workers in 2015. The number of solar companies in Louisiana also grew in 2015, expanding by 20% to 62 firms.
Residential solar installations may slow in Louisiana over the coming years due to state policy.
The status of third-party ownership is still unclear in the state.413 Additionally, the states largest utility, Entergy Louisiana, reached its net metering cap of 0.5% of peak electricity demand.414
It will continue to provide bi-directional metering to customers but, as of January 1, 2016, new
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
% LA
Solar
Jobs
% LA
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
33.8%
46.4%
23.8%
11.1%
2.0%
8.6%
22.2%
5.6%
11.3%
32.3%
21.2%
18.6%
5.5%
8.2%
8.1%
11.1%
Veterans of
the U.S.
16.9%
Armed Forces
State Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
27.5%
5.1%
LA
Solar
Jobs
% LA
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
934
47.3%
57.4%
Manufacturing
184
9.3%
14.5%
151
7.6%
11.7%
417
21.1%
10.8%
289
14.6%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
OKLAHOMA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
395
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
31
(7.9%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#39
5.4
#46
24
Oklahoma
Approximately 3.1 megawatts (MW) of solar
capacity were installed in Oklahoma in 2015
through Q3.422 These installations surpassed
Oklahomas 2014 cumulative capacity of 2.3MW
and brings total solar capacity through Q3 2015
to 5.4 MW.423, 424 Despite this growth, employment decreased year over year, with 395 solar
workers employed in the Oklahoma solar industry in 2015.
The rapid increase in installed capacity is due
in part to utility installations. Oklahoma Gas &
Electric installed a solar farm that is capable of
generating approximately 2.5 MW of power.425
This trend in utility-scale installations will continue in coming years; Oklahoma-based Western
Farmers Electric Cooperative contracted for a series of 19 photovoltaic (PV) power plants capable of generating a total of 26.6 MW.426 The residential solar sector, however, may not keep pace.
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% OK
Solar
Jobs
% OK
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
24.3%
45.7%
23.8%
8.6%
9.5%
11.3%
17.6%
22.4%
18.6%
5.5%
1.7%
8.9%
8.1%
6.5%
5.1%
OK
Solar
Jobs
% OK
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
149
37.6%
57.4%
Manufacturing
62
15.7%
14.5%
46
11.6%
11.7%
78
19.6%
10.8%
61
15.3%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
TEXAS
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
7,030
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
894
(12.7%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#6
403.4
#34
445
Read the full Texas Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
Texas
There were approximately 73.4 megawatts
(MW) of solar capacity installed in Texas in 2015
through Q3.433 This brought Texas cumulative
installed capacity to 403.4 MW.434 Year-over-year
projections have total new installed capacity for
2015 nearly doubling the amount that came online in 2014.435 Solar jobs grew slightly year over
year, and there are currently 7,030 solar workers employed in the Texas solar industry.
The year saw other substantial activity in Texass solar market, with over 8,000 MW of solar
projects currently under development, driven
primarily by the increasing cost-competitiveness of solar in the Texas electricity market.436,
437, 438
Texas residential and non-residential
system pricing were both the lowest in the nation.439 Despite a patchwork of solar incentives
from utilities across the state, residential installations saw large gains. This growth was due in
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% TX
Solar
Jobs
% TX
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
19.7%
44.5%
23.8%
10.5%
4.6%
8.6%
20.6%
37.5%
11.3%
14.9%
18.6%
18.6%
0.4%
5.5%
8.6%
7.1%
8.1%
4.8%
11.8%
5.1%
TX
Solar
Jobs
% TX
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
4,547
64.7%
57.4%
Manufacturing
1,424
20.3%
14.5%
163
2.3%
11.7%
404
5.7%
10.8%
493
7.0%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
113
Photo Credit:
DIVISION 8
MOUNTAIN
The Mountain Division is comprised of Arizona,
Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. With abundant natural
resources, the average utility rate in this region
is 9.65 cents per kWh, which is below the national average of 10.52 cents per kWh.449 Solar
radiation is high in the southern states of Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico, and fair in Colorado and Utah, making the Division one of the
nations best for increased solar deployment.
The northern states of Idaho and Montana are
the Divisions leading producers of hydropower.
Colorado is the Divisions leading producer of
wind power, followed by Wyoming, which also
leads the nation in coal production.
While Nevada has the highest number of solar
workers in the Mountain Division, Arizona leads
in installed capacity, ranking second nationally.
Arizona has aggressively developed solar power,
but its rate of growth declined in 2015 due to an
increasingly restrictive policy environment. Nevada is ranked first in the nation in jobs per capita and has experienced rapid growth, resulting
in numerous installation sector jobs; however,
its policies are changing as well. Recent modifications to net metering laws, if maintained, will
almost certainly jeopardize the 18.5% growth in
2016 that was projected by the states employers at the time of the survey. Indeed, two major
installation firms operating in the state have already announced substantial reductions in their
Nevada workforces.450
Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah are experiencing strong growth. Colorado is one of the nations
leading states in the development of community
solar power. Utah is seeing significant additions
to solar PV capacity through utility-scale development. SunEdison is constructing three solar
power plants for a total of 262 MW.451 Arizona,
the largest solar employer in the Division, will
114
Solar Jobs
State
Arizona
Colorado
Idaho
Montana
Nevada
New Mexico
Utah
Wyoming
Solar Capacity453
Jobs
National
Rank
Jobs Per
Capita
Rank
2016
Projected
Growth
Cumilative
Installed
Capacity (MW)
National
Rank
6,922
8.4%
2,209.8
17.4%
8.0
4,998
10
8,764
381
109
1,899
2,679
90
10.3%
18.5%
1,016.1
0.7%
2.4
40
38
27
49
19
50
45
10
43
4.4%
12.3%
24.8%
443.4
6.0
39
361.4
11
59.2
38
5
25
45
*through Q3 2015
115
Mountain
Division
National
85.7%
67.0%
20.2%
24.2%
$20.00
$21.00
Hiring Requirements
Previous Work Experience
Bachelor's Degree or Beyond
Associate's Degree or Certificate but not BA
Hiring Dificulty
Very Difficult
Somewhat Difficult
Not at all Difficult
Median Wages
Installer
Sales Representative
Designer
Assembly Worker
12.1%
3.8%
51.8%
28.0%
$33.65
$25.50
-
34.9%
9.7%
51.7%
24.2%
$28.85
$26.00
$15.00
116
Policy Grades454
Net
Meter.
Interconnection
RPS
Target
RPS Target
Deadline
RPS Notes
Relevant RPS
Carve Out Target %
AZ
15%
2025
4.5% Solar
CO
30%
2020
ID
MT
15%
NV
NM
UT
WY
State
2015
25%
2025
1.5% Solar
20%
2020
20%
2025
Voluntary
117
ARIZONA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
6,922
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
580
(8.4%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#7
2,209.8
#7
399
Read the full Arizona Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
Arizona
Arizona ranks second in the nation with 2,210
megawatts (MW) of cumulative solar capacity.
Approximately 141 MW of new solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity were added in 2015 through
Q3. By comparison, there were 247 MW installed in all of 2014.456 Given that Q4 is typically a high time for solar installations, it is likely
that 2015 new installations will equal or slightly exceed those seen in 2014. With 6,922 solar
workers employed in the solar industry, Arizona
is ranked 7th among the states both in terms of
total solar employment and on a jobs per capita
basis. Most (37%) of these jobs are in the installation sector, followed by a strong manufacturing sector at 34%.
Net metering is available under state rules provided that the system does not exceed 125% of
a customers normal load. Net excess generation
is credited at the retail rate but there are fees for
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
% AZ
Solar
Jobs
% AZ
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
29.5%
46.1%
23.8%
1.9%
4.0%
8.6%
12.5%
33.7%
11.3%
28.2%
20.6%
18.6%
5.5%
9.3%
8.1%
3.0%
Veterans of
the U.S.
11.5%
Armed Forces
State Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
4.6%
5.1%
AZ
Solar
Jobs
% AZ
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
2,549
36.8%
57.4%
Manufacturing
2,400
34.7%
14.5%
1,095
15.8%
11.7%
584
8.4%
10.8%
294
4.2%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
COLORADO
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
4,998
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
513
(10.3%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#10
443.4
#8
400
Read the full Colorado Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
Colorado
Colorado ranks 9th in the nation with 443 megawatts (MW) of cumulative solar capacity. Approximately 45 MW of new installation took
place in 2015 through Q3. By comparison, there
were 67 MW installed in all of 2014.461 By yearend, it is likely that 2015 new installations will
equal or exceed that of 2014. With 4,998 solar
workers employed in the solar industry, Colorado is ranked 10th among the states in terms of
total employment and eighth on a jobs per capita basis. Most (59%) of these jobs are in the installation sector.
In 2010, Colorado became one of the first three
states to pass legislation for community solar
power.462 Known in Colorado as Community Solar Gardens, these projects are generally exempt
from property tax and eligible for both PACE financing and virtual net metering. At least 5% of
Colorado subscribers to a solar garden must be
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% CO
Solar
Jobs
% CO
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
24.3%
46.1%
23.8%
6.3%
2.9%
8.6%
2.8%
3.6%
5.1%
7.7%
17.5%
11.3%
20.5%
21.0%
18.6%
4.0%
5.5%
6.5%
8.2%
8.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
CO
Solar
Jobs
% CO
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
2,958
59.2%
57.4%
389
7.8%
14.5%
404
8.1%
11.7%
580
11.6%
10.8%
666
13.3%
5.7%
IDAHO
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
381
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
17
(4.4%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#40
6.0
#38
43
Idaho
Idaho has six megawatts (MW) of cumulative
installed solar capacity. Approximately 1.7 MW
of new installation took place in 2015 through
Q3, compared to little or no installation activity
in 2014.468 With 381 solar workers employed in
the solar industry, Idaho is ranked 40th among
states in terms of total solar jobs and 38th on a
jobs per capita basis. Most (39%) of these jobs
are in sales and distribution followed by 31% of
jobs classified as other which includes finance,
legal, research & development, government,
nonprofit, and academic organizations.
Idaho firms are more likely to conduct solar
work as a smaller part of their revenue stream,
with only 8% reporting that they are pure-play
(i.e., solar only) firms compared to 48% nationally. They are also less focused in-state and less
focused on policy. Idaho seems to have a good
deal of component manufacturing based on the
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
% ID
Solar
Jobs
% ID
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
20.1%
45.1%
23.8%
8.6%
2.3%
11.7%
11.3%
18.8%
21.4%
18.6%
5.5%
7.7%
8.1%
Veterans of
the U.S.
13.3%
Armed Forces
State Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
5.1%
ID
Solar
Jobs
% ID
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
61
15.9%
57.4%
Manufacturing
25
6.7%
14.5%
149
39.2%
11.7%
29
7.6%
10.8%
116
30.5%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
123
MONTANA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
109
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
19
(17.4%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#49
8.0
#45
39
Montana
Montana has eight megawatts (MW) of cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity. Approximately 1.3 MW of new installation took place in
2015 through Q3, compared to little or no installation activity in 2014.471 With 109 solar workers employed in the solar industry, Montana is
ranked 49th among states in terms of total solar
jobs and 45th on a jobs per capita basis. Most
(49%) of these jobs are in the installation sector,
followed by sales and distribution and other at
17% of jobs each.
Montanas net metering applies to investor-owned utilities with no limit to aggregate
installed capacity. Most of the cooperatives also
have net metering. There is no state standard
agreement for interconnection but the largest
investor-owned utility has a standard agreement
for net metered customers. Montanas renewable resource standards require 15% renewable
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
% MT
Solar
Jobs
% MT
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
18.6%
47.6%
23.8%
8.6%
2.2%
11.3%
19.3%
26.6%
18.6%
8.1%
5.5%
9.0%
8.1%
Veterans of
the U.S.
10.8%
Armed Forces
State Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
5.1%
MT
Solar
Jobs
% MT
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
54
49.3%
57.4%
Manufacturing
12
11.0%
14.5%
18
16.8%
11.7%
5.3%
10.8%
19
17.6%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
125
NEVADA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
8,764
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
1,625
(18.5%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#3
1,016.1
#1
116
Nevada
Nevada ranks fifth in the nation with 1,016
megawatts (MW) of cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity. Approximately 218 MW of
new installation took place in 2015 through Q3.
By comparison, there were 349 MW installed in
all of 2014.476 Given that the final quarter of the
year is typically a big quarter for solar installation, total installed capacity for 2015 will likely
equal or exceed that from the previous year. With
approximately 8,765 solar workers employed in
the solar industry, Nevada is ranked third among
the states in terms of total employment and first
on a jobs per capita basis. Most (95%) of these
jobs are in the installation business.
In 2015, Nevada eliminated retail rate net-metering. A December vote of the Nevada PUC decreased excess solar generation reimbursement
for both existing and future customers to the
wholesale rate.477 The reduction was to phase
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% NV
Solar
Jobs
% NV
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
14.0%
44.7%
23.8%
7.3%
8.2%
8.6%
14.6%
26.8%
11.3%
35.3%
19.8%
18.6%
5.5%
9.0%
9.8%
8.1%
7.3%
7.5%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
NV
Solar
Jobs
% NV
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
8,285
94.5%
57.4%
235
2.7%
14.5%
121
1.4%
11.7%
75
0.9%
10.8%
48
0.5%
5.7%
NEW MEXICO
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
1,899
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
234
(12.3%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#27
361.4
#9
102
Read the full New Mexico Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
New Mexico
New Mexico ranks 11th in the nation with 361
megawatts (MW) of solar capacity. Approximately 37 MW of new installation took place in 2015
through Q3. By comparison, there were 88 MW
installed in all of 2014.482 With approximately
1,900 employed in the solar industry, New Mexico is ranked 27th among the states in terms of
total solar employment and ninth on a jobs per
capita basis. Most (30%) of these jobs are in the
installation sector, followed by manufacturing at
21% of jobs. New Mexico firms report higher difficulty in hiring than nationally (73% reporting
very difficult v. 24% nationally).
% NM
Solar
Jobs
% NM
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
21.8%
46.0%
23.8%
4.3%
2.7%
5.1%
6.2%
2.5%
8.6%
39.5%
44.4%
11.3%
15.8%
24.6%
18.6%
5.5%
9.0%
8.1%
Veterans of
the U.S.
11.4%
Armed Forces
State Solar Jobs Compendium 2015
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
NM
Solar
Jobs
% NM
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
578
30.4%
57.4%
346
18.2%
11.7%
250
13.2%
10.8%
330
17.4%
5.7%
396
20.9%
14.5%
129
UTAH
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
2,679
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
665
(24.8%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#19
59.2
#10
84
Read the full Utah Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
Utah
Utah ranks 25th in the nation with 59 megawatts
(MW) of cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity, of which approximately 42 MW came online in 2015 through Q3. By comparison, there
were 14 MW installed in all of 2014. 486 With
2,679 solar workers employed in the solar industry, Utah is ranked 19th among the states in
terms of total employment and tenth on a jobs
per capita basis. Most (75%) of these jobs are in
the installation sector, followed by 16% of jobs
in sales and distribution.
Utah requires net metering credited at the retail rate for residential and small commercial
customers of Rocky Mountain Power (the only
investor-owned utility in the state) and at avoided-cost for electric cooperative customers.487 It
is expexted that net metering will continue in
Utah, but rates may be adjusted at some future
date. Utah has a renewable portfolio goal (with
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% UT
Solar
Jobs
% UT
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
18.2%
42.3%
23.8%
3.2%
8.6%
1.1%
12.9%
11.3%
23.5%
17.2%
18.6%
5.5%
3.6%
5.3%
8.1%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
UT
Solar
Jobs
% UT
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
2,013
75.1%
57.4%
96
3.6%
14.5%
422
15.8%
11.7%
84
3.1%
10.8%
63
2.4%
5.7%
which compliance is voluntary, unlike a renewable portfolio standard) of 20% of sales by 2025.
Utilities are expected to generate 20% of adjusted sales from renewable sources provided that
it is cost effective to do so. Adjusted sales are after deducting sales reduced by kWh attributed
to nuclear power plants, demand-side management measures, and fossil fuels that sequester
their carbon emissions.488
131
WYOMING
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
90
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
(0.7%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#50
2.4
#43
12
Wyoming
Wyoming has 2.4 megawatts (MW) of cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity, of which 0.4
MW were installed in 2015 through Q3. There
was little or no installation activity in 2014.490
With approximately 90 solar workers employed
in the solar industry, Wyoming is ranked 50th
among states in solar jobs and 43rd on a jobs per
capita basis. Most (59%) of these jobs are in the
installation business followed by sales and distribution at 28% of jobs.
% WY
Solar
Jobs
% WY
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
25.5%
44.2%
23.8%
8.6%
8.2%
11.3%
11.8%
22.8%
18.6%
5.5%
10.2%
8.1%
1.7%
5.1%
WY
Solar
Jobs
% WY
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
53
59.0%
57.4%
Manufacturing
2.0%
14.5%
25
27.8%
11.7%
7.3%
10.8%
3.9%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
133
Photo Credit:
DIVISION 9
PACIFIC
The Pacific Division, comprised of Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington, is rich
in natural energy resources, including hydro,
solar, onshore and offshore wind, and geothermal. States in the Division exemplify many of the
extremes in U.S. energy production, costs, and
options. Washingtons Grand Coulee Dam on
the Columbia River, for example, is the largest
hydroelectric power producer in the U.S. Three
states in the division, California, Oregon, and
Washington, rank in the top-10 for both total installed wind energy capacity and number of turbines.495 Hawaii is one of only seven states with
installed geothermal capacity, which provides
19% of the states renewable net electricity generation.496 While the Division includes two of
the top-5 states ranked for solar resources, California (2nd) and Hawaii (5th), it also includes
Alaska, which ranks 51st in available solar.497
Utility costs in Pacific Division states also repState Solar Jobs Census Compendium 2015
resent extremes. Hawaii has the nations highest utility costs, with an average rate of 26.81
cents per kWh. Alaskans pay the third highest
rates for electricity at 17.96 cents per kWh. Conversely, ratepayers in Washington are charged
the nations lowest utility rate of 7.32 cents per
kWh, largely due to abundant hydro resources.
The average utility cost for this region is 13.84
cents per kWh, which is 31.6% higher than the
national average of 10.52 cents per kWh.498
California continues to lead in many solar sectors and statistics. Not only is California first
in installed solar capacity (12,146.8 MW), it is
also home to the largest photovoltaic project in
the world; the 579 MW Solar Star project499 and
the five largest concentrated solar power (CSP)
plants in the world, including the Ivanpah Solar
Electric Generating System in the Mojave Desert. The plant improved its performance yearover-year by 181% and in the first four months
134
Solar Jobs
State
Alaska
California
Hawaii
Oregon
Washington
Solar Capacity*
Jobs
National
Rank
Jobs Per
Capita
Rank
2016
Projected
Growth
Cumilative
Installed
Capacity (MW)
National
Rank
33
51
51
24.1%
1.2
47
2,999
16
13
14.9%
103.9
22
75,598
2,814
2,262
17
21
5
4
29
18.9%
12,146.8
15.4%
54.2
17.7%
537.8
1
8
27
*through Q3 2015
135
Pacific
Division
National
68.5%
67.0%
23.3%
24.2%
$22.00
$21.00
Hiring Requirements
Previous Work Experience
Bachelor's Degree or Beyond
Associate's Degree or Certificate but not BA
Hiring Dificulty
Very Difficult
Somewhat Difficult
Not at all Difficult
Median Wages
Installer
Sales Representative
Designer
Assembly Worker
46.7%
14.0%
52.7%
24.0%
$28.85
$30.00
$20.00
34.9%
9.7%
51.7%
24.2%
$28.85
$26.00
$15.00
136
Policy Grades509
Net
Meter.
Interconnection
RPS
Target
RPS Target
Deadline
RPS Notes
Relevant RPS
Carve Out Target %
CA
50%
2030
HI
100%
2045
OR
25%
2025
WA
15%
2020
State
AK
137
ALASKA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
33
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
(24.1%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#51
1.1
#51
11
Alaska
Approximately 0.4 megawatts (MW) of solar capacity were installed in Alaska in 2015 through
Q3.510 These installations almost doubled the
total capacity installed in 2014.511 Alaskas cumulative solar capacity through Q3 2015 is 1.1
MW.512 Minimal additional installations are expected in Q4 2015.513 There were 33 solar workers employed in Alaska and 11 solar companies
statewide in 2015.
% AK
Solar
Jobs
% AK
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
24.3%
46.5%
23.8%
6.7%
8.6%
6.4%
11.3%
33.3%
21.9%
18.6%
5.5%
6.7%
13.2%
8.1%
3.2%
5.1%
AK
Solar
Jobs
% AK
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
27
81.9%
57.4%
Manufacturing
0.0%
14.5%
4.5%
11.7%
0.0%
10.8%
15.3%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
139
CALIFORNIA
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
75,598
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
14,318
(18.9%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#1
12,146.8
#5
2,336
Read the full California Solar Jobs Census 2015 for more information.
California
Californias preeminence in solar energy production and solar jobs continued in 2015. The state
added 2,170 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in 2015 through Q3, bringing
its cumulative total installed solar capacity to
12,147 MW.524 California continues to drive residential solar demand in the U.S. and is the leader in total solar PV systems installed with over
445,000.525
% CA
Solar
Jobs
% CA
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
27.7%
45.5%
23.8%
4.4%
5.5%
5.1%
12.2%
14.9%
8.6%
14.4%
36.1%
11.3%
17.5%
21.1%
18.6%
10.0%
5.5%
9.2%
4.6%
8.1%
CA
Solar
Jobs
% CA
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
40,597
53.7%
57.4%
Manufacturing 11,183
14.8%
14.5%
11,223
14.8%
11.7%
8,979
11.9%
10.8%
3,617
4.8%
5.7%
Sector
Installation
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
HAWAII
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
2,814
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
499
(17.7%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#17
537.8
#4
116
Hawaii
Approximately 90.3 megawatts (MW) of solar
photovoltaic (PV) capacity were installed in Hawaii in 2015 through Q3, putting the state on
pace to meet or exceed the 106.9 MW installed
in 2014, bringing the states cumulative installed
capacity to nearly 538 MW.535 Hiring by the local
solar industry has kept pace, and as of November
2015 there are 2,814 solar workers in Hawaiis
solar workforce with the vast majority of workers (88%) employed in the installation sector.
In June of 2015, Hawaiis legislature set the ambitious goal of deriving 100% of its electricity from
renewable energy sources by 2045.536 Currently,
about 22% of the states electricity is generated
from renewable sources, however, several developments in the past year make the role of solar
in the states goal uncertain.537 In reaction to
the islands unique marketplace and geographic
need for renewable energy, Hawaii has hit record
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% HI
Solar
Jobs
% HI
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
16.0%
47.4%
23.8%
47.5%
44.4%
8.6%
11.5%
8.4%
11.3%
9.4%
25.1%
18.6%
5.5%
6.5%
7.2%
8.1%
1.9%
1.7%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
HI
Solar
Jobs
% HI
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
2,476
88.0%
57.4%
71
2.5%
14.5%
146
5.2%
11.7%
75
2.7%
10.8%
46
1.7%
5.7%
OREGON
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
2,999
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
446
(14.9%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#16
103.9
#13
149
Oregon
Oregon added more than 19 megawatts (MW)
of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in 2015
through Q3, which is twice the capacity installed
in the state in the previous year (8.2 MW).544
The states cumulative installed capacity is now
103.9 MW.545 Since 2002, Energy Trust of Oregon
has helped residents and the state to develop
5,363 solar systems, which generate about 54
MW of renewable power.546
There are 2,999 solar workers in Oregon, an increase over last year. Thirty-eight percent of the
states solar workers are employed in the manufacturing sector, which is 2.6 times the national
average of 14.5%.
By 2025, Oregons large utilities will be required
to derive 25% of their retail electricity sales
from newer, renewable sources.547 20 megawatts
of that generation must be from large solar PV
Demographic
Women
AfricanAmerican
Asian or
Pacific
Islander
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the U.S.
Armed Forces
% OR
Solar
Jobs
% OR
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
26.2%
47.3%
23.8%
1.5%
1.6%
5.1%
9.4%
4.8%
8.6%
13.2%
10.1%
11.3%
19.9%
23.7%
18.6%
0.1%
5.5%
5.0%
8.6%
8.1%
OR
Solar
Jobs
% OR
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
Installation
1,501
50.0%
57.4%
Manufacturing
1,149
38.3%
14.5%
147
4.9%
11.7%
109
3.6%
10.8%
92
3.1%
5.7%
Sector
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
projects by 2020.548 Oregon has consistently received a grade of A from Freeing the Grid for
its net metering rules, which apply to nearly all
utilities, credit net excess generation at the retail
rate (for investor-owned utilities; rates vary for
non-IOU customers), and specify no caps on aggregate capacity for customers of the states two
largest investor-owned utilities.549
Since 2005, the median installed price per watt
for solar PV systems has dropped by more than
50% in the state.550 Looking for greater flexibility
for Oregonians interested in adopting solar, the
Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) opened
separate proceedings to develop a community
program design to recommend to the legislature
and to determine a methodology for calculating
the resource value of solar.551
Several solar projects are in development in Oregon, including a nearly 10-megawatt facility east
near Redmond and a near-complete 2 MW rooftop solar project at the Oregon Convention Center.552 Solar jobs are expected to grow by 14.9%
in 2016, which is nearly identical to the 14.7%
national growth projection.553
145
WASHINGTON
Total Solar Jobs, 2015
2,262
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
349
(15.4%)
Solar Jobs
Rank
Solar Jobs
Per Capita Rank
Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)
Total Solar
Companies**
#21
54.2
#29
136
Washington
One of few states that saw minor contraction in
solar jobs in 2015, Washington now has 2,262
solar workers, which is slightly lower than the
previous year. An estimated 15.5 megawatts
(MW) of new solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity were installed in 2015 through Q3, about
10% more than the previous year, which brings
Washingtons total to 54.2 MW cumulative installed solar PV capacity.554
% WA
Solar
Jobs
% WA
Overall
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
26.5%
46.7%
23.8%
4.3%
8.1%
8.6%
3.6%
10.8%
11.3%
16.0%
22.6%
18.6%
6.8%
5.5%
6.0%
9.3%
8.1%
2.5%
3.3%
5.1%
Sector
Installation
Manufacturing
Sales &
Distribution
Project
Development
Other
WA
Solar
Jobs
% WA
Solar
Jobs
% U.S.
Solar
Jobs
1,429
63.2%
57.4%
274
12.1%
14.5%
37
1.6%
11.7%
297
13.1%
10.8%
225
9.9%
5.7%
ENDNOTES
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by state 2014
Annual Averages and Employment status of veterans 18 years and over by state 2014 Annual Averages. Found at:
http://www.bls.gov/
U.S. Energy Information Administration, Form EIA-826, Table 5.6.B. Average Price of Electricity to Ultimate
Customers by End-Use Sector, by State, Year-to-Date through September 2015 and 2014 (Cents per Kilowatthour).
Found at: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia826/
** National Solar Database, SEIA as of December 15, 2015, available at: http://www.seia.org/research-resources/
national-solar-database
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
In this survey, solar employees are defined as a worker that spends at least 50% of their time on solar-related
work. However, we have consistently found that 90% or more of these workers spend 100% of their time on solarrelated work.
JobsEQ 2015Q3; Projected growth is 1.1%
The survey took place prior to the extension of the federal solar investment tax credit (ITC) beyond 2016.
The extension is expected to reduce pressure to complete projects in 2016. This will likely result in lower
solar employment growth in 2016 but higher solar employment in 2017 resulting in greater stability in solar
employment. Prior to this policy change, major job losses had been expected for 2017.
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
PV Magazine (January 25, 2016). It's Official: China has the Most Solar PV Installed Globally.
NREL, PV Watts Calculator. Retrieved January 28, 2016 from http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
QER Report: Energy Transmission, Storage, and Distribution Infrastructure | April, 2015, p. 3-8
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
Berkeley National Labs, Electronic Markets & Policy Group, Characteristics of Low Priced Solar Photovoltaic
Systems in the United States, January, 2016, based on 2013 installations.
SEPA, Photovoltaic System Price Quotes from Selected States, 2014 - 2015
Id. QER Report, p. 3-10
Freeing the Grid. Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures. Retrieved January
26, 2016, from http://freeingthegrid.org/
DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. http://www.dsireusa.org/
NREL, PV Watts Calculator. Retrieved January 28, 2016 from http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
EIA year-to-date average price for all customers, Sept. 30, 2015
DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Massachusetts Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.
dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/479
Freeing the Grid. Massachusetts. http://freeingthegrid.org/#state-grades/massachusetts
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
Freeing the Grid. Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures. Retrieved January
26, 2016, from http://freeingthegrid.org/
DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. http://www.dsireusa.org/
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
Id.
Energize Connecticut (2015). Residential Solar Investment Program. Retrieved January 11, 2016, from http://
www.energizect.com/your-home/solutions-list/residential-solar-investment-program
An Act Concerning the Encouragement of Local Economic Development and Access to Residential Renewable
Energy, Public Act No. 15-194.
Connecticut Green Bank (2015). Residential Solar Investment Program Information on Installers and Costs
Updated 12/04/2015 [Data file]. Retrieved January 11, 2016, from http://www.energizect.com/sites/default/
files/uploads/Section%20106%20Data%20for%20Web_25.xls
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
41.
42.
43.
44.
45.
46.
47.
It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that may
have since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015 and other
regional changes that did not take effect until the end of 2015.
U.S. Energy Information Administration (2015, May 28). Form EIA-826 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016,
from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia826/; U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2015, October 21).
Form EIA-860 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860/. NB:
Data accessed and converted by SEIA: MWdc = 1.2x MWac.
NREL, PV Watts Calculator. Retrieved January 28, 2016 from http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
U.S. Energy Information Administration (2015, December 24). Electric Power Monthly. Retrieved January 10,
2016, from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.cfm?t=epmt_5_6_b
State of Maine, Office of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. MPUC Case Number 2015-00218. Office of the
Public Advocate Straw Proposals. Filed 11/30/2015. Retrieved January 10, 2016 from https://mpuc-cms.maine.
gov/CQM.Public.WebUI/Common/CaseMaster.aspx?CaseNumber=2015-00218
Office of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. MPUC Case Number 2015-00218. Retrieved January 10, 2016
from https://mpuc-cms.maine.gov/CQM.Public.WebUI/Common/CaseMaster.aspx?CaseNumber=2015-00218
State of Maine, Office of the Maine Public Utilities Commission. MPUC Case Number 2015-00218. Comments of
The Alliance for Solar Choice Regarding Consensus. Filed 1/5/2016. Retrieved January 10, 2016 from https://
mpuc-cms.maine.gov/CQM.Public.WebUI/Common/CaseMaster.aspx?CaseNumber=2015-00218
It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that may
have since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015 and other
regional changes that did not take effect until the end of 2015.
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
Id.
Lacey, S. (2015, November 19). Failure to Reach Net Metering Deal Could Kill 100 MW of Commercial Solar in
Mass. Next Year. Greentech Media. Retrieved January 10, 2016 from www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/
failed-compromise-on-net-metering-in-massachusetts
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
Id.
It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that may
have since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015 and other
regional changes that did not take effect until the end of 2015.
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (2015). Residential Small Renewable Electrical Generation
Systems Rebate. Retrieved January 12, 2016 from https://www.puc.nh.gov/Sustainable%20Energy/
RenewableEnergyRebates-SREG.html
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (2015). Commercial & Industrial Solar Incentive Program. Retrieved
January 12, 2016 from https://www.puc.nh.gov/Sustainable%20Energy/RenewableEnergyRebates-CI.html
New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission (2015). Residential Small Renewable Electrical Generation
Systems Rebate. Retrieved January 12, 2016 from https://www.puc.nh.gov/Sustainable%20Energy/
RenewableEnergyRebates-SREG.html
New Hampshire Electric Cooperative. (2015). New Hampshire Electric Cooperatives (NHEC) Interconnection (Net
Metering) Application Instructions: Terms and Conditions. Retrieved January 12, 2016, from http://www.nhec.
com/filerepository/2015_net__interconnection_application.pdf
New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (2015). Above the Cap - Net Metering Summary. Retrieved January 12, 2016,
from http://www.nhec.com/filerepository/nhec__above_the_cap_net_metering_summary_3.pdf
Liberty Utilities (2015, August 5th). Net Metering Program Closed: State imposed cap reached. Retrieved January
12, 2016 from http://www.libertyutilities.com/east/electricity/about/news_08-05-15.html
Eversource (2015). Net Metering Program Capacity Cap. Retrieved January 12, 2016, from https://www.
eversource.com/Content/nh/about/doing-business-with-us/builders-contractors/interconnections/newhampshire-net-metering/new-hampshire-net-metering-program-capacity-cap
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70.
71.
Unitil (2015). Net Metering. Retrieved January 12, 2016 from http://unitil.com/energy-for-residents/electricinformation/distributed-energy-resources/net-metering
New Hampshire Electric Cooperative (2015). Above the Cap - Net Metering Summary. Retrieved January 12, 2016,
from http://www.nhec.com/filerepository/nhec__above_the_cap_net_metering_summary_3.pdf
Liberty Utilities (2015, August 5th). Net Metering Program Closed: State imposed cap reached. Retrieved January
12, 2016 from http://www.libertyutilities.com/east/electricity/about/news_08-05-15.html
It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that may
have since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015 and other
regional changes that did not take effect until the end of 2015.
U.S. Energy Information Administration (2015, May 28). Form EIA-826 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016,
from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia826/; U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2015, October 21).
Form EIA-860 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860/. NB:
Data accessed and converted by SEIA: MWdc = 1.2x MWac.
Renewable Energy Standard, R.I. General Laws 39-26-1 et seq.
Freeing the Grid. Rhode Island. Retrieved January 11, 2016, from http://freeingthegrid.org/#state-grades/rhodeisland
Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (2015). RI Renewable Energy Development Fund: Annual Financial and
Performance Report for the year ending 12/31/2014. Retrieved January 11, 2016, from http://commerceri.com/
wp-content/uploads/2015/12/REF-Financial-and-Performance-Report-3.1.2015.pdf
National Grid (2015). Rhode Island Renewable Energy Growth Program Solicitation and Enrollment Process Rules
for Small-Scale Solar Projects. Retrieved January 11, 2016 from https://www.nationalgridus.com/narragansett/
non_html/RE%20Growth%20Enrollment%20Process%20Rules-Small%20Scale%20Solar.pdf
Review of the Narragansett Electric Company d/b/a National Grid Review of Electric Distribution Design
Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws 39-26.6-24, Docket No. 4568 (pending). Retrieved January 14, 2016, from http://
www.ripuc.org/eventsactions/docket/4568page.html
Id.
It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that may
have since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015 and other
regional changes that did not take effect until the end of 2015.
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
Vermont Statutes Annotated 8002 et seq.
Green Mountain Power Corporation (2015). Solar FAQ. Retrieved January 13, 2016 from http://www.
greenmountainpower.com/innovative/solar/faqs/
Vermont Public Service Board (2016). Revised Rule 5.100 Pursuant to Act 99. Retrieved January 13, 2016, from
http://psb.vermont.gov/statutesrulesandguidelines/proposedrules/rule5100
Vermont Statutes Annotated 219a.
It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that may
have since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015 and other
regional changes that did not take effect until the end of 2015.
EIA year-to-date average price for all customers, Sept. 30, 2015
NREL, PV Watts Calculator. Retrieved January 28, 2016 from http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
SEIA State Solar Policy Fact Sheet: New York Solar. http://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/new-york
Utility Dive. NY regulators lift solar net metering caps until REV docket sets DER values. http://www.utilitydive.
com/news/ny-regulators-lift-solar-net-metering-caps-until-rev-docket-sets-der-values/407667/
Utility Dive. NY regulators lift solar net metering caps until REV docket sets DER values. http://www.utilitydive.
com/news/ny-regulators-lift-solar-net-metering-caps-until-rev-docket-sets-der-values/407667/
New Jersey Resources. NJR Clean Energy Ventures Announces Completion of Solar Projects in Howell and North
Hanover Totaling 16 Megawatts. http://www.njresources.com/news/releases/2015/njrcev/15-13NJRCEVHowell
72.
73.
74.
75.
76.
77.
78.
79.
80.
81.
82.
83.
84.
85.
86.
87.
88.
89.
90.
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
96.
97.
98.
99.
NorthHanoverCommercialSolar.asp
PSEG. Two New PSE&G Landfill Solar Farms in Service. https://www.pseg.com/info/media/
newsreleases/2015/2015-02-05.jsp#.VpUUKRUrKhd
Hefler, J. Solar farm at L&D Landfill operating fully. http://articles.philly.com/2015-12-29/news/69359405_1_
solar-farm-solar-panels-kinsley-landfill
Id.
Utility Dive. PA regulators propose net metering cap at 200% of system owners demand. http://www.utilitydive.
com/news/pa-regulators-propose-net-metering-cap-at-200-of-system-owners-demand/400076/
Utility Dive. PA regulators propose net metering cap at 200% of system owners demand. http://www.utilitydive.
com/news/pa-regulators-propose-net-metering-cap-at-200-of-system-owners-demand/400076/
Freeing the Grid. New Jersey. http://freeingthegrid.org/#state-grades/new-jersey
Freeing the Grid. New York. http://freeingthegrid.org/#state-grades/new-york
Freeing the Grid. Pennsylvania. http://freeingthegrid.org/#state-grades/pennsylvania
Cuomo A. (December 2, 2015). Renewable Energy Letter. https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/
files/atoms/files/RenewableEnergyLetter_1.pdf
DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Pennsylvania, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.
dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/262
DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. New Jersey, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.
org/system/program/detail/564
DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Pennsylvania, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.
dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/262
DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. New Jersey, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.
org/system/program/detail/564
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
Id.
NC Clean Energy Technology Center & Meister Consultants Group. The 50 States of Solar: Q3 2015. https://
nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/50-States-of-Solar-Q3-FINAL_25.pdf
NC Clean Energy Technology Center & Meister Consultants Group. The 50 States of Solar: Q3 2015. https://
nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/50-States-of-Solar-Q3-FINAL_25.pdf
New Jersey Resources, NJR Clean Energy Ventures Announces Completion of Solar Projects in Howell and North
Hanover Totaling 16 Megawatts http://www.njresources.com/news/releases/2015/njrcev/15-13NJRCEVHowell
NorthHanoverCommercialSolar.asp
PSEG. Two New PSE&G Landfill Solar Farms in Service. https://www.pseg.com/info/media/
newsreleases/2015/2015-02-05.jsp#.VpUUKRUrKhd
Hefler, J. Solar farm at L&D Landfill operating fully. http://articles.philly.com/2015-12-29/news/69359405_1_
solar-farm-solar-panels-kinsley-landfill
Id.
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
Id.
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
Id.
State of New York Department of Public Service (2015, July 28). Staff White Paper on Ratemaking and Utility
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Utility Dive. NY regulators propose groundbreaking new utility models under landmark REV order. http://www.
utilitydive.com/news/ny-regulators-propose-groundbreaking-new-utility-models-under-landmark-rev/403111/
State of New York Public Service Commission. Order granting a rehearing, establishing a transition plan for
remote net metering, and other findings. April 17, 2015, http://documents.dps.ny.gov/public/Common/ViewDoc.
aspx?DocRefId=%7B12D9EA05-7A97-45C9-B8EF-F634731A4276%7D
Utility Dive. NY regulators propose groundbreaking new utility models under landmark REV order. http://www.
utilitydive.com/news/ny-regulators-propose-groundbreaking-new-utility-models-under-landmark-rev/403111/
101. NY-SUN. Community Distributed Generation: Overview for Project Developers. http://ny-sun.ny.gov/-/media/
NYSun/files/Contractor%20Resources/Community-Distributed-Generation-Project-Developers.pdf
102. SEIA State Solar Policy Fact Sheet: New York Solar. http://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/new-york
103. New York Energy Research and Development Authority. Governor Cuomo, Joined by Vice President Gore,
Announces New Actions to Reduce Greehouse Gas Emissions and Lead Nation on Climate Change. http://www.
nyserda.ny.gov/About/Newsroom/2015-Announcements/2015-10-08-Governor-Cuomo-VP-Gore-AnnounceActions-to-Reduce-Greenhouse-Gas
104. Utility Dive. NY regulators lift solar net metering caps until REV docket sets DER values. http://www.utilitydive.
com/news/ny-regulators-lift-solar-net-metering-caps-until-rev-docket-sets-der-values/407667/
105. Id.
106. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
107. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
108. Id.
109. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Pennsylvania, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.
dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/262
110. Id.
111. Utility Dive. Price of Pennsylvania renewable energy credits doubles. http://www.utilitydive.com/news/price-ofpennsylvania-renewable-energy-credits-doubles/370932/
112. SREC Trade. Pennsylvania. http://www.srectrade.com/srec_markets/pennsylvania
113. Meister Consultants Group and North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center. 50 States of Solar. https://
nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/50-States-of-Solar-Q3-FINAL_25.pdf
114. Utility Dive. PA regulators propose net metering cap at 200% of system owners demand. http://www.utilitydive.
com/news/pa-regulators-propose-net-metering-cap-at-200-of-system-owners-demand/400076/
115. Pittsburgh Business Times. Wolf seeks to restore funding for solar rebate program. http://www.bizjournals.com/
pittsburgh/blog/energy/2015/03/wolf-seeks-to-restore-funding-for-solar-rebate.html?page=2
116. The Wall Street Journal. Pennsylvania Governor to Approve Stopgap Budget After Using Line-Item Veto.
http://www.wsj.com/articles/pennsylvania-governor-to-approve-stopgap-budget-after-using-line-itemveto-1451416256
117. Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. PUC Approves Lower Rate Increase than Requested by Penn Power, West
Penn Power, Met-Ed, and Penelec. http://www.puc.state.pa.us/about_puc/press_releases.aspx?ShowPR=3523
118. Philadelphia Inquirer (2015, September 12). PECO, PUC reach settlement on rate increase. http://articles.philly.
com/2015-09-12/business/66439042_1_puc-customer-pennsylvania-public-utility-commission
119. Meister Consultants Group and North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center. 50 States of Solar. https://
nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/50-States-of-Solar-Q3-FINAL_25.pdf
120. EIA year-to-date average price for all customers, Sept. 30, 2015
121. NREL, PV Watts Calculator. Retrieved January 25, 2016, from http://pvwatts.nrel.gov/
122. Naval-Technology (2016, January 12). US Navy and Duke energy to build new solar facility in Indiana. Retrieved
January 12, 2016, from http://www.naval-technology.com/news/newsus-navy-and-duke-energy-to-build-newsolar-facility-in-indiana-4774006
123. Gearino, D. (2015, April 19). Ohio installers say theyre forced to pursue business out of state because
of new energy law. Retrieved January 7, 2016, from http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/
business/2015/04/19/01-solar-cloudy.html
124. Greene, J. (2015, May 15). Consumers Energy Gets OK to Add Michigan's First Community Solar Program.
Retrieved December 14, 2015, from http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150515/NEWS/150519887/
consumers-energy-gets-ok-toadd-michigans-first-community-solar
125. Vanhulle, L. (2015, September 11). Legislative debate continues on Michigan's solar industry and net metering.
Retrieved January 6, 2016, from http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150911/NEWS/150919954/
100.
legislative-debate-continues-on-michigans-solar-industry-and-net
SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
127. Freeing the Grid. Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures. Retrieved January
26, 2016, from http://freeingthegrid.org/
128. Gearino, D. (2015, October 1). Kasich calls indefinite freeze of Ohio clean-energy standards unacceptable.
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129. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. http://www.dsireusa.org/
130. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
131. ISEA. Its a Bright Day for Solar!. Retrieved January 10, 2016, from http://www.illinoissolar.org/blog/3709388
132. Tomich, J. (2015, Jan 22). Boost for Illinois Solar Development. Retrieved January 10, 2016, from http://ilenviro.
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133. ISEA. Illinois Solar Policy. Retrieved January 10, 2016, from http://www.illinoissolar.org/ILSolar-Policy
134. DSIRE NC Clean Energy Technology Center. City Water Light and Power - Solar Rewards Program. Retrieved
January 7, 2016, from http://programs.dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/5097
135. It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that may
have since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015.
136. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
137. Hughes, D. (2015, December 23). Solar-panel arrays go live in Vigo, Clay counties. Retrieved January 10,
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138. Owoski, Z. (2015, September 20). Solar power to be activated soon in Pendleton. Retrieved January 10, 2016,
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139. Naval-Technology (2016, January 12). US Navy and Duke energy to build new solar facility in Indiana. Retrieved
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140. McGowan, D. (2016, January 5). Solar Facility Running in Grant County. Retrieved January 12, 2016, from http://
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141. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
142. Id.
143. Greene, J. (2015, May 15). Consumers Energy Gets OK to Add Michigan's First Community Solar Program.
Retrieved December 14, 2015, from http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150515/NEWS/150519887/
consumers-energy-gets-ok-to-add-michigans-first-community-solar
144. Otte, C. (2015, December 4). Large solar dawns in Michigan, but residential incentives may sunset. Retrieved
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145. Vanhulle, L. (2015, September 11). Legislative debate continues on Michigan's solar industry and net metering.
Retrieved January 6, 2016, from http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150911/NEWS/150919954/
legislative-debate-continues-on-michigans-solar-industry-and-net
146. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
147. It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that may
have since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015.
148. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
149. SEIA State Solar Policy Fact Sheet: Ohio Solar. Retrieved January 7, 2016, from http://www.seia.org/state-solarpolicy/ohio
150. Gearino, D. (2015, April 19). Ohio installers say theyre forced to pursue business out of state because
of new energy law. Retrieved January 7, 2016, from http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/
business/2015/04/19/01-solar-cloudy.html
126.
Gearino, D. (2015, October 1). Kasich calls indefinite freeze of Ohio clean-energy standards unacceptable.
Retrieved January 7, 2016, from http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/business/2015/09/30/oppositionclean-energy-standards-freeze.html
152. Morris, C. (2015, December 20). Energy settlement could mean big solar boost in SE Ohio. Retrieved January 7,
2016, from http://www.athensnews.com/news/local/energy-settlement-could-mean-big-solar-boost-in-se-ohio/
article_b1c44ae2-a741-11e5-9f93-1f2a674866ec.html
153. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
154. Public Service Commission of Wisconsin. RPS Compliance. Retrieved January 10, 2016, from http://www.psc.
wi.gov/renewables/rpsCompliance.htm
155. SEIA. (2015). Solar Means Business 2015: Top U.S. Commercial Solar Users.
156. SEIA State Solar Policy Fact Sheet: Wisconsin Solar. Retrieved January 11, 2016, from http://www.seia.org/statesolar-policy/wisconsin
157. Lydersen, K. (2015, October 30). Court rejects Wisconsin utilitys fee on solar customers. Retrieved January 11,
2016, from http://www.midwestenergynews.com/2015/10/30/court-rejects-wisconsin-utilitys-fee-on-solarcustomers/
158. Quirmbach, C. (2015, September 18). Alliant Energy Project Near Beloit Helps Company Meet EPA Standards.
Retrieved January 11, 2016, from http://wpr.org/wisconsin-utility-plans-solar-farm-where-it-once-dumped-coalash
159. PVSolarReport (2015, November 19). Community Solar Continues to Grow in Wisconsin. Retrieved January 13,
2016, from http://www.pvsolarreport.com/community-solar-wisconsin/
160. EIA year-to-date average price for all customers, Sept. 30, 2015
161. NREL (2012). Photovoltaic Solar Resource Map. http://www.nrel.gov/gis/images/map_pv_us_annual10km_
dec2008.jpg
162. Ethanol Facilities Capacity by State (2015). State of Nebraska. http://www.neo.ne.gov/statshtml/121.htm
163. McFarland, A. Twelve States Produced 80% of US Wind Power in 2013 (2014). https://www.eia.gov/
todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=15851
164. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Missouri, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.
org/system/program/detail/2622
165. Renewable Energy Objectives. Minn. Stat. 216B.1691.
166. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Kansas, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.
org/system/program/detail/3401
167. Baer, N. Iowa Rises in Midwest Ranks (2015). http://www.iaenvironment.org/blog/iowa-environmental-voice/
iowa-rises-in-midwest-solar-ranks
168. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
169. Freeing the Grid. Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures. Retrieved January
26, 2016, from http://freeingthegrid.org/
170. SEIA (2015). Solar Spotlight: Iowa. http://www.seia.org/sites/default/files/IA%20State%20Fact%20
sheet_9.8.15.pdf
171. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015.
172. Baer, N. Iowa Rises in Midwest Ranks (2015). http://www.iaenvironment.org/blog/iowa-environmental-voice/
iowa-rises-in-midwest-solar-ranks
173. Iowa Utilities Board. Iowas Electric Profile. https://iub.iowa.gov/electric-profile
174. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Iowa, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.org/
system/program/detail/488
175. Iowa Utilities Board. Order Opening Inquiry On Distributed Generation And Soliciting Comments (2014). http://
energystorage.org/system/files/resources/iub_noi_20140001_1_7_14.pdf
176. Midwestern Energy Issues Survey-Iowa Release (2014). http://iowaipl.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014MidwesternEnergy-Issues-Survey-IOWA-RELEASE.pptx
151.
Zygarlicke, C. (2015). EERC Advancements in Renewable Energy and Solar ND. Retrieved from http://www.ndare.
org/vertical/sites/%7BE50B81F9-F226-4A80-AE75-3CBA3D28BCB4%7D/uploads/CJZ-EERC_Energy_Outlook__
Solar_ND(NDARE).pdf
207. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
208. Farrell, J. & Morris, D. Energy Self-Reliant States (2010), 2nd Edition, https://ilsr.org/wp-content/uploads/files/
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209. Energy Policy in South Dakota. https://ballotpedia.org/Energy_policy_in_South_Dakota
210. Midwestern U.S. Hydro Generation Profile (2013). http://www.hydro.org/why-hydro/available/hydro-in-thestates/midwest/; PUC Small Renewable Energy Initiative, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, http://www.
puc.sd.gov/SmallWind/default.aspx
211. Freeing the Grid. Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures. Retrieved January
26, 2016, from http://freeingthegrid.org/
212. Clean Energy Authority. South Dakota Solar Rebates and Incentives. http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solarrebates-and-incentives/south-dakota/renewable-energy-system-exemption/
213. Nixon, L. Cheaper, Improved solar power making inroads in SD. http://www.capjournal.com/news/cheaperimproved-solar-power-making-inroads-in-sd/article_ce057a74-dee8-11e2-8116-001a4bcf887a.html
214. EIA year-to-date average price for all customers, Sept. 30, 2015
215. Neal, D. (2016, Jan. 14). Tax Credit Sunset Could Dim Solar Business Prospects. Retrieved January 14, 2016,
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216. Meza, E. (2015, Jan. 27). Florida Power and Light to add 225 MW of Solar in 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016,
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220. Office of the Governor (2015, April 22). Governor McAuliffe Signs Clean Energy Jobs Legislation. Retrieved January
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221. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
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225. Id.
226. Freeing the Grid. State Grades. Retrieved January 29, 2016, from http://freeingthegrid.org/#state-grades/
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235. SREC Trade. District of Columbia. http://www.srectrade.com/srec_markets/district_of_columbia
236. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
237. Since 2011, the DCSEU has delivered financial incentives, technical assistance, and information to tens of
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238. The Community Power Networks DC Sun program strive[s] to make rooftop solar power accessible and
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239. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. District of Columbia Programs. http://programs.dsireusa.org/system/
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243. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
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246. Meza, E. (2015, Jan. 27). Florida Power and Light to add 225 MW of Solar in 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016,
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247. Penn, I. (2015, January 22). Gulf Power, Military Propose States Largest Network of Solar Power Plants. Retrieved
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248. Trabish, H. (2016, Jan. 7). Utility-backed Florida Solar Proposal Appears Headed for 2016 Ballot. Retrieved
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249. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
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251. Id.
252. Solar Power Free Market Financing Act. GA H.B. 57 (2015). http://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/en-US/
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255. Georgia Power (2014, May 15). Georgia Power to Bring 90 MW of Solar to Army Bases. Retrieved January 13,
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256. Georgia Power. Advanced Solar Initiative. Available at https://www.georgiapower.com/about-energy/energysources/solar/advanced-solar-initiative.cshtml
257. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
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259. Electricity Community Solar Energy Generating System Program, H.B. 1087 (2015)
260. SREC Trade. Maryland. http://www.srectrade.com/srec_markets/maryland
261. Selter, R. (2015, October 29) SolarCity Open Baltimore County Distributor Center Supplying 4 States. Retrieved
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262. Gantz, S. (2015, March 10). Astrum Solar to Hire 240, Expand Space in Howard County. Retrieved January 7, 2016,
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264. The Solar Foundation (2015). Brighter Maryland A Study on Solar in Maryland Schools. http://mdschools.
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265. It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that may
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268. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
269. Jeffrey, J. (2015, June 12). Amid Incentive Uncertainty, Renewable Energy Projects Rush to Benefit. Retrieved
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271. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
272. SEIA (2015). National Solar Database.
273. Trabish, H. (2015, Mar. 23). South Carolina Utilities and Solar Advocates Finalize Net Metering at Retail Value.
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329. Pillion, D. (2015, December 24). With potential solar energy boom on the horizon, Alabama lags behind. Retrieved
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330. Flessner, D. (2015, October 21). Study find [sic.] value of solar power less than what TVA pays. Retrieved January
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331. Tennessee Valley Authority (2015). Green Power Providers. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from https://www.tva.
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333. Eskind, A. (2015, December 2). TVA Slashing Rooftop Solar, Other Privately-Owned Solar. Retrieved January 4,
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334. Alabama Public Service Commission. (2016, September 16). Docket 32382: Alabama Power Company's
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335. PR Newswire (2015, November, 10). Strata Solar to Build Alabama Powers First Utility-Scale Solar. Retrieved
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336. Loller, T. (2015, February 12). TVA nears first large-scale solar buy. Retrieved January 10, 2015, from http://www.
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337. Cantin, J. (2016, January 13). Interview. Gulf States Renewable Energy Industries Association
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Data accessed and converted by SEIA: MWdc = 1.2x MWac.
339. While EIA solar data continued to improve in 2015, sizeable gaps persist. Other data sources such as Solar Energy
Industries Association place Kentuckys installed capacity at 8.5 MW. The Kentucky chapter of the America Solar
Energy Society estimates 10 MW of installed capacity. Military solar installations alone account for over 3 MW.
340. U.S. Energy Information Administration (2015, May 28). Form EIA-826 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016,
from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia826/; U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2015, October 21).
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Data accessed and converted by SEIA: MWdc = 1.2x MWac.
341. SEIA (Data as of 2015, December 15). National Solar Database. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from http://www.seia.
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342. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Detailed Summary Maps. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from http://
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343. Kentucky Public Service Commission (2005, July 29). Electric Distribution Service Areas. Retrieved January 4,
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349. Eskind, A. (2015, December 2). TVA Slashing Rooftop Solar, Other Privately-Owned Solar. Retrieved January 4,
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350. In states with low solar market development, larger-scale project contracts tend to be won by out-of-state entities
in competitive bidding processes due to capacity and experience efficiencies. Smaller-scale projects such as
residential solar installations are more likely to be handled by local or state companies. Therefore, equal levels of
small and large-scale solar deployment are likely to have different employment effects at local and state levels.
351. Simpson, M. (2015, September 28). Solar array's first phase 'plugs in' to provide 1.9 megawatts of renewable
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352. LG&E KU (2015, October 9). LG&E and KU utility-scale solar facility expected to begin serving customers in late
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353. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
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358. Mississippi Public Service Commission (2015, December). Docket No. 2011-AD-2 Order Adopting Net Metering
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359. Synapse Energy Economics, Inc. on behalf of Mississippi Public Service Commission (2014, September 19). Net
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360. Mississippi Public Service Commission (2015, December). Docket No. 2011-AD-2 Order Adopting Net Metering
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363. Tennessee Valley Authority (2015). Green Power Providers. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from https://www.tva.
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364. Flessner, D. (2015, 21 October). Study find [sic.] value of solar power less than what TVA pays. Retrieved on
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365. Eskind, A. (2015, December 2). TVA Slashing Rooftop Solar, Other Privately-Owned Solar. Retrieved January 4,
2016, from http://lightwavesolar.com/tva-slashing-rooftop-solar-other-privately-owned-solar/
366. In states with low solar market development, larger-scale project contracts tend to be won by out-of-state entities
in competitive bidding processes due to capacity and experience efficiencies. Smaller-scale projects such as
residential solar installations are more likely to be handled by local or state companies. Therefore, equal levels of
347.
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367. PR Newswire (2015, November 10). PSC approves Mississippi Power's utility-scale solar projects. Retrieved
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368. PR Newswire (2015, September 11). Seraphim Solar to open 300MW USA Manufacturing Operation. Retrieved
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369. Mississippi Business Journal. (2015, July 8). Seraphim Solar to build manufacturing facility in Jackson; says will
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370. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
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375. U.S. Energy Information Administration (2015, April 16). Tennessee: State Profile and Energy Estimates. Retrieved
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377. Tennessee Valley Authority (2015). Green Power Providers. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from https://www.tva.
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378. Id.
379. Flessner, D. (2015, 21 October). Study find [sic.] value of solar power less than what TVA pays. Retrieved on
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380. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
381. Pare, M. (2015, June 28). Wacker project making history, prepares for production startup. January 4, 2016, from
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382. EIA year-to-date average price for all customers, Sept. 30, 2015
383. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Photovoltaic Solar Resource of the United States Map. Retrieved
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384. U.S. Department of Energy (2015, November 11). Installed Wind Capacity. Retrieved January 28, 2016, from
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385. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
386. Gold, R. (2015, August 21). Next Texas Energy Boom: Solar. Retrieved January 9, 2016, from http://www.wsj.com/
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387. Wertz, J. (2015, July 30). Why Solar Energy is Growing Slowly in Oklahoma. Retrieved January 9, 2016, from
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388. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Net Metering. Retrieved January 8, 2016, from http://programs.
dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/286
389. Walton, R. (2015, December 23). Louisiana regulators set to wrestle with net metering in 2016. Retrieved
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390. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Tax Credit for Solar Energy Systems on Residential Property
Id.
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417. Walton, R. (2015, December 23). Louisiana regulators set to wrestle with net metering in 2016. Retrieved
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418. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. City of New Orleans - Net Metering. Retrieved January 9, 2016, from
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419. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Tax Credit for Solar Energy Systems on Residential Property
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420. Larino, J. (2015, August 3). Solar installers brace for impact as tax credit cap sets in. Retrieved January 9, 2016,
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421. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
422. U.S. Energy Information Administration (2015, May 28). Form EIA-826 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016,
from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia826/; U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2015, October 21).
Form EIA-860 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860/. NB:
Data accessed and converted by SEIA: MWdc = 1.2x MWac.
423. Id.
424. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
425. Wertz, J. (2015, July 30). Why Solar Energy is Growing Slowly in Oklahoma. Retrieved January 9, 2016, from
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426. RTT News (2015, December 9). Phoenix Solar To Build 19 Photovoltaic Power Plants In US; Stock Up. Retrieved
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428. Id.
429. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Renewable Energy Goal. Retrieved January 8, 2016, from http://
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430. Id.
431. NC Clean Energy Technology Center. DSIRE. 3rd Party Solar PV Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Map. Retrieved
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432. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
433. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
434. Id.
435. Id.
436. ERCOT (2015, December 14). Generator Interconnection Status Report: November 2015 Revised. Retrieved
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437. Gold, R. (2015, August 21). Next Texas Energy Boom: Solar. Retrieved January 9, 2016, from http://www.wsj.com/
articles/next-texas-energy-boom-solar-1440149400
438. This includes solar projects both planned and/or under development.
439. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
440. Id.
441. NC Clean Energy Technology Center & Meister Consultants Group (2015, April 29). The 50 States of Solar: Q1
2015. Retrieved January 4, 2016, https://nccleantech.ncsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/50-States-of-Solar-Issue2415.
416.
Q2-2015-FINAL3.pdf
442. Malewitz, J, & Lin, J. (2015, August 5). New law will help more Texans install solar power at home. Retrieved
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443. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Solar Rights. Retrieved January 9, 2016, from http://programs.
dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/4880
444. Walton, R. (2015, September 16). Tesla battery storage tapped for Texas' first community solar project. Retrieved
January 9, 2016, from http://www.utilitydive.com/news/tesla-battery-storage-tapped-for-texas-first-communitysolar-project/405690/
445. Lacey, S. (2015, June 30). Cheapest Solar Ever: Austin Energy Gets 1.2 Gigawatts of Solar Bids for Less Than 4
Cents. Retrieved January 15, 2016, from http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/cheapest-solar-everaustin-energy-gets-1.2-gigawatts-of-solar-bids-for-less
446. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
447. Id.
448. Id.
449. EIA year-to-date average price for all customers, Sept. 30, 2015
450. John, J. S. (2016, January 8). Nevadas Solar Job Exodus Continues, Driven by Retroactive Net Metering Cuts.
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451. SunEdison press release (April 9, 2015). http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sunedison-to-constructthree-new-solar-power-plants-in-utah-totaling-262-mw-300063389.html
452. Solar Energy Industry Today (2015, Decemeber 29). Navajo Nation "Goes Green" with New Solar Plant
453. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
454. Freeing the Grid. Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures. Retrieved January
26, 2016, from http://freeingthegrid.org/
455. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. http://www.dsireusa.org/
456. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
457. ASU Energy Policy Innovation Council, https://energypolicy.asu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/APS-NetMetering-Brief-Sheet-Draft-_-Final_updated-Dec-2013.pdf
458. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Arizona, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.
org/system/program/detail/1082
459. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Arizona, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.
org/system/program/detail/268
460. JobsEQ 2015Q3
461. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
462. Solar Electric Power Association (2015, December). Community Solar Program Design Models
463. The Solar Gardens Institute. http://www.solargardens.org/
464. Colorado Energy Office. https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/energyoffice/community-solar
465. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Colorado, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.
org/system/program/detail/133
466. JobsEQ 2015Q3
467. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
468. U.S. Energy Information Administration (2015, May 28). Form EIA-826 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016,
from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia826/; U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2015, October 21).
Form EIA-860 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860/. NB:
Data accessed and converted by SEIA: MWdc = 1.2x MWac.
469. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Idaho Programs. http://programs.dsireusa.org/system/
program?state=ID
470. MagicValley.com (2015, January 14). Solar Power Gains Traction in Idaho.
U.S. Energy Information Administration (2015, May 28). Form EIA-826 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016,
from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia826/; U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2015, October 21).
Form EIA-860 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860/. NB:
Data accessed and converted by SEIA: MWdc = 1.2x MWac.
472. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Montana Programs. http://programs.dsireusa.org/system/
program?state=MT
473. SciGaia (2015). Montanas RPS 10 Years of Renewable Energy.
474. Id. SciGaia
475. Brouwer, B (2016, January 13). Great Falls Tribune. Include More Solar Energy in Montanas Power Portfolio.
Retrieved February 8, 2016, from http://www.greatfallstribune.com/story/opinion/2016/01/13/include-solarenergy-montanas-power-portfolio/78735408/
476. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
477. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Nevada, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.
org/system/program/detail/372
478. GTM Research (Dec. 23, 2015). Nevada Regulators Eliminate Retail Rate Net Metering for New and Existing Solar
Customers.
479. GTM Research (Jan. 8, 2016). Nevadas Solar Job Exodus Continues, Driven by Retroactive Net Metering Cuts.
480. Id.
481. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Nevada, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.
org/system/program/detail/373
482. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
483. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. New Mexico, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.
dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/284
484. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. New Mexicon, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.
dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/720
485. Solar Energy Industry Today (2015, Decemeber 29). Navajo Nation "Goes Green" with New Solar Plant
486. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
487. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Utah, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.org/
system/program/detail/743
488. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Utah, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.org/
system/program/detail/2901
489. PacifiCorp. (2016, January). PacifiCorp Generation Interconnection Queue. Capacity values converted from
AC to DC using rough, standard conversion MW(DC)=MW(AC)*1.2 based on SEIAs data treatment guidance.
Other capacity data outlets and project developers sometimes use a conversion factor of 1.3, which may reflect
conversions based on actual hardware.
490. U.S. Energy Information Administration (2015, May 28). Form EIA-826 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016,
from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia826/; U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2015, October 21).
Form EIA-860 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860/. NB:
Data accessed and converted by SEIA: MWdc = 1.2x MWac.
491. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Wyoming, Renewables Portfolio Standard. http://programs.dsireusa.
org/system/program/detail/553
492. Freeing the Grid. Wyoming. http://freeingthegrid.org/#state-grades/wyoming
493. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
494. Richards, H. (2015, November 22). Solar Panels at UW Should Cut 50 Tons of Carbon Dioxide a Year. Billings
Gazette. Retrieved January 19, 2016, from http://billingsgazette.com/news/state-and-regional/wyoming/solarpanels-at-uw-should-cut-tons-of-carbon-dioxide/article_850109cf-ddc4-545a-878c-7b6e23cd97a3.html
495. American Wind Energy Association. U.S. Wind Energy State Facts. Retrieved January 25, 2016, from http://www.
awea.org/resources/statefactsheets.aspx?itemnumber=890
496. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Hawaii State Profile and Energy Estimates. Retrieved January 17, 2016,
471.
from http://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=HI
497. The Solar Foundation. Solar Resource Rank.
498. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
499. GreenTech Media (2015, June 26). Solar Star, Largest PV Power Plant in the World, Now Operational. Retrieved
January 16, 2016, from http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Solar-Star-Largest-PV-Power-Plant-inthe-World-Now-Operational
500. Breaking Energy (2015, June 17). Ivanpah Solar Production Up 170% in 2015. Retrieved January 28, 2015, from
http://breakingenergy.com/2015/06/17/ivanpah-solar-production-up-170-in-2015/
501. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
502. Governor of the State of Hawaii. PRESS RELEASE: Governor Ige signs bill setting 100 percent renewable energy
goal in power sector. Retrieved January 17, 2016, from http://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/press-releasegovernor-ige-signs-bill-setting-100-percent-renewable-energy-goal-in-power-sector/
503. GreenTech Media (2015, October 14). Media Hawaii Regulators Shut Down HECOs Net Metering Program.
Retrieved January 22, 2016, from http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/hawaii-regulators-shutdownhecos-net-metering-program
504. Freeing the Grid. Best Practices in State Net Metering Policies and Interconnection Procedures. Retrieved January
26, 2016, from http://freeingthegrid.org/
505. Id.
506. Id.
507. State of California Senate. Californias 2030 Climate Commitment: Renewable Resources for Half of the States
Electricity by 2030. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from http://www.energy.ca.gov/commission/fact_sheets/
documents/Fact_Sheet_-_50_Percent_Renewables.pdf
508. Id.
509. Id.
510. U.S. Energy Information Administration (2015, May 28). Form EIA-826 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016,
from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia826/; U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2015, October 21).
Form EIA-860 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860/. NB:
Data accessed and converted by SEIA: MWdc = 1.2x MWac.
511. SEIA State Solar Policy Fact Sheet: Alaska Solar. http://www.seia.org/state-solar-policy/alaska-solar
512. U.S. Energy Information Administration (2015, May 28). Form EIA-826 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016,
from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia826/; U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2015, October 21).
Form EIA-860 detailed data. Retrieved January 4, 2016, from https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia860/. NB:
Data accessed and converted by SEIA: MWdc = 1.2x MWac.
513. Id.
514. NREL (2012). Photovoltaic Solar Resource of the United States. Retrieved January 13, 2016, from http://www.
nrel.gov/gis/solar.html
515. Messina, P. Day and Night in Alaska. Retrieved January 14, 2016, from http://geosun.sjsu.edu/paula/103/
activities/daynight.pdf
516. Herzog, K. (2015, October 21). Remote Alaskan villages move from diesel to wind power. Retrieved January 13,
2016, from http://grist.org/article/remote-alaskan-villages-move-from-diesel-to-wind-power/
517. Kaften, C. (2015, October 7). New Rankings: Electric Rates Are Highest in Hawaii, Lowest in Washington State.
Retrieved January 13, 2016, from http://www.energymanagertoday.com/new-rankings-electric-rates-highesthawaii-lowest-washington-state-0116550/
518. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Renewable Portfolio Standard Policies Map. Retrieved January 13,
2016, from http://ncsolarcen-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Renewable-PortfolioStandards.pdf
519. NC Clean Energy Technology Center. DSIRE. 3rd Party Solar PV Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) Map. Retrieved
January 13, 2016, from http://ncsolarcen-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/3rd-PartyPPA_072015.pdf
DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Net Metering. Retrieved January 13, 2016, from http://programs.
dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/3734
521. DSIRE, NC Clean Energy Technology Center. Local Option - Property Tax Exemption for Renewable Energy
Systems. Retrieved January 13, 2016, from http://programs.dsireusa.org/system/program/detail/4449
522. Waldholz, R. (2015, November 25). New rules may help small energy projects sell to the grid. Retrieved January
13, 2016, from http://www.alaskapublic.org/2015/11/25/new-rules-could-boost-renewable-power/
523. Id.
524. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015.
525. Id.
526. The Solar Foundation (2015). California Solar Jobs Census.
527. GreenTech Media (2015, June 26). Solar Star, Largest PV Power Plant in the World, Now Operational. Retrieved
January 16, 2016, from http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Solar-Star-Largest-PV-Power-Plant-inthe-World-Now-Operational
528. CleanTechnica (2015, June 26). Largest Solar Plant On Planet Earth Solar Star Comes Online. Retrieved from
http://cleantechnica.com/2015/06/26/largest-solar-plant-planet-earth-solar-star-comes-online/
529. Id.
530. State of California Senate. California Climate Leadership: Powering the New Economy. Retrieved January 18, 2016,
from http://focus.senate.ca.gov/climate/sb350-facts
531. State of California Senate. Californias 2030 Climate Commitment: Renewable Resources for Half of the States
Electricity by 2030. Retrieved January 18, 2016, from http://www.energy.ca.gov/commission/fact_sheets/
documents/Fact_Sheet_-_50_Percent_Renewables.pdf
532. State of California Senate. California Climate Leadership: Powering the New Economy. Retrieved January 17, 2016,
from http://focus.senate.ca.gov/climate/sb350-facts
533. St. John, J. (2016, January 28). Breaking: Californias NEM 2.0 Decision Keeps Retail Rate for Rooftop Solar, Adds
Time-of-Use. Retrieved January 30, 2016 from http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Californias-NetMetering-2.0-Decision-Rooftop-Solar-to-Keep-Retail-Payme
534. It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that may
have since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015.
535. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
536. Governor of the State of Hawaii. PRESS RELEASE: Governor Ige signs bill setting 100 percent renewable energy
goal in power sector. Retrieved January 17, 2016, from http://governor.hawaii.gov/newsroom/press-releasegovernor-ige-signs-bill-setting-100-percent-renewable-energy-goal-in-power-sector/
537. U.S. Energy Information Administration. Hawaii State Profile and Energy Estimates. Retrieved January 17, 2016,
from http://www.eia.gov/state/?sid=HI
538. Cardwell, D. (2015, April 18). Solar Power Battle Puts Hawaii at Forefront of Worldwide Changes. Retrieved
January 17, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/19/business/energy-environment/solar-powerbattle-puts-hawaii-at-forefront-of-worldwide-changes.html?_r=0
539. Ramadna, B. (2015, June 29). HECO proposes new PV pricing structure to ensure safety and fairness. Retrieved
January 19, 2016, from http://khon2.com/2015/06/29/heco-proposes-new-pv-pricing-structure-to-ensuresafety-and-fairness/
540. Rocky Mountain Institute (2015, October 16). Hawaii just ended net metering for solar. Now what? Retrieved
January 17, 2016, from http://blog.rmi.org/blog_2015_10_16_hawaii_just_ended_net_metering_for_solar_now_
what
541. It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that may
have since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015.
542. Utility Dive. (2015, August 5). Rushing to bring solar online, Hawaii approves 4 utility scale projects. Retrieved
January 17, from http://www.utilitydive.com/news/rushing-to-bring-solar-online-hawaii-approves-4-utilityscale-projects/403468/
543. Trabish, H. (2015, July 20). HECO launches community solar pilot project. Retrieve January 19, 2016, from http://
www.utilitydive.com/news/heco-launches-community-solar-pilot-project/402499/
520.
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