Can Florida Solar Jobs Carve Path to Economic Recovery?
Posted by Kelly Arduz on Thu, Feb 09, 2012 @ 06:33 AM
In a region hard hit by the economic recession, renewable energy continues to provide relief. Florida
currently ranks 7th in the country for clean energy job creation, outpacing the national average for growth in green careers. And it’s not simply the jobs themselves – renewable energy pays an average of
$4,000more than the median wage for other types of work.
The centerpiece of this rapid job expansion is solar energy. This of course makes sense in the “Sunshine State.”
When Gainesville passed one of the region’s first feed-in-tariffs, the program attracted so many applications that the backlog extends to January of next year. And then you have the country’s first solar-powered city and 3 new solar power plants, making Florida the 2nd largest market for utility scale solar power in the entire country.
Where Are the Solar Jobs?
The jobs are there. The growth is undeniable. So why does Florida still have 10% unemployment (down from 12% in 2010)?
The answer could be simpler than you think. A contributing factor can be that employers can’t hire people fast enough with solar experience to fill vacant slots.
Solar energy isn’t rocket science, but you do need PV installation training to take part in this booming phenomenon. Solar PV training and installation schools like US Solar Institute specialize in preparing green professionals to fill the gap – the majority of students complete their PV installation training in just 3 short weeks. With hands-on instruction and real world exposure, USSI’s ultimate goal is to graduate an army of solar professionals with the technical, safety, and business knowhow to outfit every roof in the state of Florida (and throughout the Carribean).
By all accounts, Florida may be well on its way to reaching this goal. In 2011, new renewable energy deals accounted for $53.5 billion – nearly 40% more than the year prior, with solar energy accounting for a substantial portion of that growth.
If the industry continues to grow at comparable rates, it won’t be long before Florida’s economic woes become a thing of the past. Unemployment would continue declining and every home and business could harness free energy from the sun instead of costly fuel from the ground.
Director of Operations for USSI, Kelly Arduz, points out that, “40% is unbelievable growth for any industry.” She adds, “If more people knew about the solar labor gap and how accessible it is to complete PV installation training, I’m confident that the industry would grow even faster.”
