CONTRACTORS NEEDED:
FOR GROWING SOLAR DEMAND
New iNceNtives at the local,
state and federal level have led to an
exponential increase in solar energy
installations on new and existing
commercial and residential build-
ings. this growth has created real
opportunities across the country for
contractors, plumbers, electricians
and other tradesmen to install solar photovoltaic (Pv) and
solar thermal (solar water and space heating and cooling)
systems. There has never been a better time for mechanical
contractors to take advantage of these opportunities and get
involved in one of America’s growth industries.
since 2005, solar Pv capacity has grown at rates of 40% or
more each year. solar thermal capacity also doubled, reach-
ing nearly 8,000 thermal-equivalent megawatts of capacity.
we estimate that more than 250,000 homes in the United
states generate some solar energy.
though 2009 was a tough year for everyone, the solar
industry still saw growth rates of more than 30% in sales
and installations. And, this is expected to accelerate in 2010.
GtM Research expects U.s. photovoltaic (Pv) demand to
experience annual growth of 48% from 2008 to 2012, while
industry research firm Displaysearch predicts Pv solar cell
demand to grow by 38% in 2010. Altaterra Research and
the interstate Renewable energy council anticipate a U.s.
grid-tied Pv market on the order of 1 gigawatt in 2010.
commercial and residential markets will naturally grow as
solar usage grows, prices continue to decline and energy
awareness grows.
But this growth isn’t isolated to the sunniest parts of the
country. solar naturally flourishes in the American south-
west, but contractors from Portland, Ore., to Portland,
Maine, are getting in on the action. we expect that momen-
tum to continue.
the Mid-Atlantic region has seen considerable growth
in solar installations and manufacturing capacity due to its
progressive local governments, federal incentives and skilled
workforces. New Jersey, for example, has become one of the
nation’s leaders in solar energy installations, rivaling only
california in terms of total solar wattage, according to the
interstate Renewable energy council. Pennsylvania, Dela-
ware and Maryland have also established pro-solar policies
and incentives that are creating emerging solar markets in
these states and jobs for contractors in the Mid-Atlantic.
several New england states have passed forward-thinking
legislation to promote solar installations, while the emerging solar industry in the Upper Midwest is creating jobs for
people displaced by the decline of traditional manufacturing
industries. southeast states — especially Florida, which is
home to the largest commercial Pv installation in the country — are also becoming contenders by realizing the jobs and
economic potential of solar.
These are good jobs with good benefits. They are putting
Americans back to work and restoring a sense of pride to
our nation’s workforce. From plumbers to electricians to
construction workers, the solar industry created a total of
18,000 jobs in 2009.
A good example of the economic opportunities within the
solar industry can be found in colorado. we all remember
when President Barack Obama toured a solar installation
in Denver prior to signing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. it was installed by Namaste solar, which was
started in 2004 with three employees. Due in large part
to state incentives for consumers to go solar, Namaste has
installed more than 500 systems and grown to more than 50
employees. The Denver Business Journal named it one of the
best places to work for 2009.
entrepreneurs and contractors in the solar industry have
also benefited greatly during the past several years from
smart policies at the Federal level. The solar energy industries Association (seiA) helped lead the charge in 2007-08
to extend the solar investment tax credit to eight years. The
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act included no fewer
than 19 solar provisions.
Though this is a start, much more is still needed to deploy
more solar energy and create more jobs. today, we are working towards passage of the 2010 Jobs Bill that would approve
more funds toward the development of the American solar
industry — making financing, grants and tax credits more
readily available to sustain our high level of growth. These
policies will help grow markets for contractors nationwide.
we encourage you to join seiA ( www.seia.org) and your
state or regional chapter for invaluable networking and to
gain access to critical information, advocacy, education and
business contacts. take advantage of the many training opportunities available and consider NABceP certification (www.
nabcep.org) to become a Pv or solar thermal installer.
it’s an exciting time to be a part of an industry that will create tens of thousands of jobs for contractors in all 50 states.
together, we can help America regain its global leadership in
this fast growing industry.
Rhone Resch is president & CEO of the Solar Energy Industries
Association. Established in 1974, SEIA works to make solar
energy a mainstream and significant energy source. He lives
with his family in a solar-powered home in Washington, D.C.
