Solar Industry Poised To Create 200,000 Jobs With Key Tax Policies

The Solar Energy Industries Association, joined by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and industry leaders, has released an independent study projecting the positive economic impact of the Deparent of Treasury Grant Program and the Solar Manufacturing Invesent Tax Credit.

The study found that extending the TGP by two years and including solar manufacturing in the industry's existing tax credit would add 200,000 new domestic jobs to the solar workforce and supporting industries in the U.S. Additionally, it would result in 10 gigawatts (GW) of new solar installations by 2016 - enough to power 2 million homes.

"Extension of the Treasury Grant program is essential to continuing our nascent economic recovery and moving to a cleaner, more distributed 21st Century energy system," said Senator Cantwell. "Tens of thousands of jobs hinge on continuing this successful program, including thousands of new solar jobs in Washington State in the next two years."

"Unemployment across the country remains near 10 percent, while the construction industry is suffering at nearly 22 percent unemployment," said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of SEIA.

"But last year, the solar industry was one of the bright spots in our economy with the creation of 17,000 new jobs."

New solar jobs by State include: California (60,000); Michigan (24,000); Ohio, Oregon and Texas (13,000+ each); Arizona, Colorado, and Florida (10,000 each); Massachusetts, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Washington (about 5,000 each); Nevada, New Jersey, and Tennessee (3,000+ each); and Connecticut and Hawaii (1,500+ each).

New solar installations through 2016 by State include: California over 4,400 MW; Arizona over 1,400 MW; Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Nevada, and New Jersey 300 MW each; and Hawaii, New York, North Carolina, Oregon and Texas 100+ MW each. Every 100 MW can power 25,000 average American homes.

"We need to support these workers with stable, common-sense policies like an extension of the Treasury Grant Program that provides new opportunity for American workers while saving the taxpayer money," added Resch.

Source - Solar Daily