Solar Power Potential to Create Jobs in US

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Today, it’s estimated that the United States gets less than 1% of its total energy from solar power. Since sunlight is by far the most abundant energy source available, the potential is there for the US and the rest of the world to increase solar power production on a grand scale.

It’s feasible that our country could receive 10% of its needed power from solar energy by 2025.

The benefits of solar energy are many: It emits no carbons and will be good for the environment, we don’t have to drill for or mine it and due to its abundance, it is highly unlikely that there will be any future wars over energy.

Besides the obvious environmental and diplomatic benefits, solar power production will also benefit our national economy by providing new jobs. Currently, there are nearly 100,000 direct and indirect jobs associated with the solar industry. That’s about 10,000 more than the jobs existing within the US steel industry.

If we aren’t even using 1% of the sun’s power in the US and that has already created 100,000 jobs, then think of what is possible when we increase solar power production to 10% of our nation’s energy bank.

Just like any other sector, jobs within the solar industry exist on many different levels. There are jobs in production, installation, sales, marketing, and much more. To get a job within the solar industry does not mean that you will necessarily be manufacturing solar cells or installing them on rooftops.

You could be selling solar modules, marketing the product, or any number of other positions that exist to make the business run effectively. Since it’s a relatively new sector of the workforce, it’s unlikely that solar companies looking for employees will only take those with experience in the industry. Now is a prime time to get into this new field.

The largest solar power installation in the world is located at Solar Energy Generating Systems in California, with a capacity of more than 350 megawatts. If this means absolutely nothing to you, then chew on this figure: four megawatts is enough to power more than 1,000 homes, or one Super Target.

Many states are coming up with new plans to increase solar energy output and add 100 to 200 megawatts of solar energy to their roster each year. Governor Jerry Brown of California recently signed legislation that will require all CA utilities to get 33% of their electricity from renewable energy resources by 2020.

In terms of renewable energy resources, solar power has many advantages. Unlike wind or hydro-power, the sun is everywhere. Obviously, some regions receive a lot more sunlight than others, but the potential to save up these rays and use them to power cars, homes, gadgets, etc. is phenomenal.

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