New Report: Florida Solar Jobs on the Rise in Florida

25 U.S. cities have now committed to transition entirely to clean and renewable energy between 2030 and 2035. Cities including cities like St. Petersburg, San Diego and Salt Lake City, and smaller towns like Georgetown, Texas and Abita Springs, Louisiana, are among the places that have made the commitment.

 

"Solar jobs are on the rise and clean energy is putting people to work in cities across our state. We can and must go further in creating more opportunity and expanding prosperity for Floridians by doubling down on clean and renewable energy like solar. Now is the time for action and for the mayors of Florida cities to stand on the side of more jobs by supporting the goal of 100 percent clean energy," said Frank Jackalone, Sierra Club Florida Chapter Director.

 

"While the Trump Administration turns its back on fighting pollution from fossil fuels, we can step up by protecting our communities' health and boosting our economy here in Florida. Transitioning to clean energy like solar will spur innovation, launch new businesses, create good-paying jobs, and drive economic growth that benefits all Americans. With more and more jobs being created in the growing solar industry today, now is the time for Florida Mayors to go all-in on clean energy in our state," said Phil Compton, Sierra Club Senior Organizing Representative Sierra Club Ready for 100 Campaign.

Solar jobs listed in the report include both installation and construction jobs and non-installation jobs, including manufacturing, sales and distribution, project development, and other occupations that support the solar industry.

"State-by-state and city-by-city, our nation is moving away from polluting fossil fuels toward an economy where solar is powering our homes and putting people to work. As we transition towards more clean energy, we must ensure that the benefits of a new 100 percent clean energy economy are equitably shared and that the jobs and opportunities created by clean energy provide living wages, health care benefits, and union representation for workers," said Compton.

In February, The Solar Foundation released its 2016 National Solar Jobs Census, which found that the U.S. solar industry employed 260,077 workers. This figure includes the addition of over 51,000 solar workers over the previous year, representing a 25 percent growth in employment from 2015. Over the next 12 months, employers surveyed expect to see total solar industry employment increase by 10 percent to 286,335 solar workers.