New data from the Solar Jobs Census 2016 shows that employment in the solar-power industry increased by a historic 25% nationwide from 2015 to 2016, for a total of 260,077 workers.
The industry added 51,218 new jobs in 2016, a growth rate about 17 times faster than that of the overall U.S. economy, which grew by 1.45%. One out of every 50 new jobs added in the U.S. was created by the solar industry, representing 2% percent of all new jobs.
Growth occurred in 44 of the 50 states. And in 21 states, solar jobs grew by 50% or more, according to The Solar Foundation.
Competition among manufacturers has already brought down the cost of panels to grid parity in many places. Competition in installation can't help but bring those costs down, too.
(Score: 2) by Whoever on Thursday March 30 2017, @03:39AM
Bullshit!
I installed solar panels last year, and I estimate payback in about 6 years.
The benefit of solar panels may be much less if you install now and get into the NEM2 program (instead of NEM1, which is now closed to new installations). NEM2 requires a "time of use" billing plan, but if your panels point the right way and you have an EV, the payback can still be very good.