Employment report: Solar employs more than coal, oil, and natural gas combined

Solar specifically employs the largest share of workers in the Electric Power generation sector.

978
SOURCENationofChange

The U.S. Department of Energy has released their second annual U.S. Energy and Employment Report and it is outstanding news for solar power advocates. 

According to the report, the traditional energy and energy efficiency sector, which now employs 6.4 million Americans, added 300,000 new jobs last year, which is a whopping 14 percent of the nation’s job growth.

Solar specifically employs the largest share of workers in the Electric Power generation sector. The U.S. solar workforce increased by 25 percent in 2016, most due to “the construction related to the significant buildout of new solar generation capacity.” Many of the jobs for the solar industry came from construction and installation projects.

Solar employed 374,807 workers in 2016, where fossil fuels only employed 187,117 works in coal, oil and natural gas technologies.

Another renewable energy source industry, wind generation, has also seen tremendous growth. Wind saw a growth in employment of 32 percent from 2015 to 2016. Currently, there are 102,000 workers in the wind industry.

You can view the entire report here

Support stronger air pollution standards:

FALL FUNDRAISER

If you liked this article, please donate $5 to keep NationofChange online through November.

SHARE
Previous articleObama’s covert drone war in numbers: ten times more strikes than Bush
Next articleNearly 60 legislators boycotting Trump’s inauguration
Alexandra Jacobo is a dedicated progressive writer, activist, and mother with a deep-rooted passion for social justice and political engagement. Her journey into political activism began in 2011 at Zuccotti Park, where she supported the Occupy movement by distributing blankets to occupiers, marking the start of her earnest commitment to progressive causes. Driven by a desire to educate and inspire, Alexandra focuses her writing on a range of progressive issues, aiming to foster positive change both domestically and internationally. Her work is characterized by a strong commitment to community empowerment and a belief in the power of informed public action. As a mother, Alexandra brings a unique and personal perspective to her activism, understanding the importance of shaping a better world for future generations. Her writing not only highlights the challenges we face but also champions the potential for collective action to create a more equitable and sustainable world.

COMMENTS