The U.S. solar industry added 21,563 jobs in 2021, a year-over-year increase of 9% from 2020, according to a new report.
The Interstate Renewable Energy Council's annual National Solar Jobs Census noted the industry's bounce-back from the worst economic impacts caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
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Despite the growth, IREC CEO Larry Sherwood warned of an uncertain future fueled by supply chain disruptions, trade issues, and stalled federal legislation for clean energy.
"There is potential for unprecedented job growth in the coming years if federal, state, and local leaders take action to expand clean energy use and address climate change," Sherwood said.
The solar industry now employs 255,037 workers compared to 105,145 in 2011.
Two-thirds of new jobs were created by installation and project development firms, IREC said. Solar jobs increased in 47 states last year.
The headwinds facing the solar industry were showcased in a separate report from the American Clean Power Association on the industry's Q2 2022 performance.
Q2 2022 installations fell by 25% compared to the first half of 2021, ACP found. That was the largest drop in solar installations over a six-month period since 2018.
Overall, clean energy installations totaled 3,188 MW in Q2 2022, marking a 55% year-over-year decline. The industry installed 41 solar projects, 14 storage projects, and five wind projects across 27 states, ACP said.
Vistra Corporation installed the most capacity this quarter, 418 MW of solar and storage capacity. SB Energy installed 250 MW of new solar capacity, and NextEra Energy commissioned 249 MW of new wind and solar capacity.
"We have warned about the storm of policy and economic headwinds the clean power industry is facing, and the slowdown in clean energy deployments… is a step in the wrong direction," ACP CEO Heather Zichal wrote on her LinkedIn page. "Congressional inaction and uncertainty on long-term tax policy, tariff and trade restrictions, and transmission constraints all impact the demand for clean energy at a time when we need to be rapidly scaling up development."
Clean energy developers reported 19,286 MW of project delays in the second quarter, including 8,116 MW that was expected to come online. Solar makes up the majority, 64%, of capacity that has been delayed, ACP said.
