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7/25/2019 California Solar Jobs Census 2015
1/36
2015
CALIFORNIASOLAR JOBSCENSUS
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ABOUT THE SOLAR FOUNDATION
The Solar Foundation (TSF) is an independent 501(c)(3)
nonproit organization whose mission is to increaseunderstanding of solar energy through strategic research andeducation that transforms markets. TSF is considered thepremier research organization on the solar labor workforce,
employer trends, and the economic impacts of solar. It hasprovided expert advice to leading organizations such asthe National Academies, the Inter-American DevelopmentBank, the U.S. Department of Energy, and others during atime of dynamic industry growth and policy and economicuncertainty.
While TSF recognizes that solar energy is a key part of ourenergy future, it is committed to excellence in its aim to helppeople fairly and objectively gauge the value and importanceof solar technologies.
ABOUT BW RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP
BW Research is widely regarded as the national leader inlabor market research for emerging industries and cleanenergy technologies. In addition to the Censusseries, BWResearch has conducted rigorous solar installation andwind industry labor market analysis for the NationalRenewable Energy Laboratory, wind energy and energyretroit studies for the Natural Resources Defense Council,a series of comprehensive clean energy workforce studiesfor the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Illinois, Vermont,
Florida, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and California, as well asnumerous skills and gap analyses for community colleges,workforce investment boards, state agencies, and nonproitorganizations.
ABOUT CALSEIA
Since the 1970s, CALSEIA has advanced the commoninterests of the solar industry, helping make California's solarmarket the most robust in the United States. Comprised ofover three hundred contractors, manufacturers, distributors,developers, engineers, consultants and educationalorganizations, CALSEIA represents a diverse membershipcommitted to growing the California solar industry. CALSEIAengages with local and state decision makers to ensureCalifornia remains a solar energy leader through good publicpolicy and regulations that provide clarity, transparency, andcertainty.
COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF THE NATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORATORY
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The Solar Foundation (TSF) is a national 501(c)
(3) nonproit organization whose mission is toincrease understanding of solar energy throughstrategic research and education that transformmarkets. In 2010, TSF conducted its irst NationalSolar Jobs Census report, establishing the irstcredible solar jobs baseline and verifying thatthe solar industry is having a positive impacton the U.S. economy. Using the same rigorous,
peer-reviewed methodology, TSF has conductedan annual Censusin each of the last six years totrack changes and analyze trends.
This California Solar Jobs Census 2015report is an
offshoot of TSFs National Solar Jobs Census 2015effort. Research partners for the Census 2015effort include the George Washington UniversitySolar Institute for providing assistance andsupport in reviewing and validating reportresults and analysis; the Solar Energy Industries
Association (SEIA) for use of its National Solar
Database and peer review; and GTM Research/SEIA for providing survey respondents with theU.S. Solar Market Insight: 2014 YIR report.
Other sponsors of this years Census effortinclude: Energy Foundation, William andFlora Hewlett Foundation, Tilia Fund, GeorgeWashington University Solar Institute, SEIA,Recurrent, SolarCity, First Solar, Sol Systems,E.ON, Trina Solar, State of Minnesota Department
of Commerce, State of New Mexico EnergyMinerals and Natural Resources Department,Utah Governors Ofice of Energy Development,sPower, Standard Solar, CALSEIA, All EarthRenewables, and groSolar.
Finally, we want to thank all the Californiaemployers that participated in the survey. Yourresponses were critical in providing us withaccurate and timely data.
Andrea LueckePresident and Executive DirectorThe Solar Foundation
202-469-3750; [email protected]
www.TheSolarFoundation.org
Philip JordanPrincipal and Vice PresidentBW Research Partnership508-384-2471; [email protected]
www.bwresearch.com
For questions or comments about this report, please contact either:
Please cite this publication when referencing this material as California Solar Jobs Census 2015,The Solar Foundation, available at: www.TSFcensus.organd SolarStates.org
mailto:[email protected]://www.thesolarfoundation.org/mailto:[email protected]://www.bwresearch.com/http://www.tsfcensus.org/http://solarstates.org/http://solarstates.org/http://www.tsfcensus.org/http://www.bwresearch.com/mailto:[email protected]://www.thesolarfoundation.org/mailto:[email protected]7/25/2019 California Solar Jobs Census 2015
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PLACEHOLDER IMAGE
Photo courtesy of S
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1California Solar Jobs Census 2015
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. solar industry experienced
yet another record-breaking year
in 2015, with more than 7,400
megawatts (MW) of domestic
photovoltaic (PV) capacity expected
to have been installed an 18.5%
increase over that of 2014 bringing
total U.S. solar capacity to nearly
27.5 gigawatts (GW).1
As the rate of capacity installation hasaccelerated, employers across the countryhave continued to expand the size of their
payrolls. This years sixth annual NationalSolar Jobs Census found that the U.S. solar
industry employed 208,859 workers as of
November 2015, representing the addition
of 35,052 jobs, and a 20.2% increase in
employment over November 2014.Since The
Solar Foundation began tracking these numbersin 2010, employment in the industry has morethan doubled, growing by 123% and adding over115,000 jobs. Employers nationwide expect
this growth trend to continue through 2016,projecting to add nearly 31,000 jobs to the solarworkforce over the course of the year.
Capacity Data Source: SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
93,502105,145
119,016
142,698
173,807
208,859
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015E
AddedCapacity(MW)
SolarJobs
U.S. PV Capacity Additions & Solar Jobs, 2010 - 2015E
PV Capacity Additions Solar Jobs
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2California Solar Jobs Census 2015
Throughout 2015, California continued todemonstrate national leadership in new solarinstalled capacity, solar workforce growth, andsolar policy. It is estimated that nearly 3,000megawatts (MW) of new solar photovoltaic(PV) capacity were installed across the statelast year. While this igure represents a decreasein annual capacity additions year-over-year(owing to a decline in new utility-scale PV andconcentrating solar power capacity), it is morethan was installed in the next six largest 2015solar markets combined.2
With this market growth has come acommensurate increase in the size of theCalifornia solar workforce. As of November2015, the state solar industry employed
75,598 solar workers, representing 38.2%
growth in employment over the previous
year.3 Employers remain optimistic aboutcontinued workforce growth through 2016,collectively anticipating 18.9% growth inemployment (approximately 14,300 solarworkers). Such growth would see the Californiasolar workforce in 2016 approach 90,000 solarworkers nearly as many as were employed in
the entire nation in 2010.4
Californias solar growth has been drivenprimarily by its utility-scale market segment,which since 2012 has accounted for at leastas much and often many times more new
annual installed capacity as the residential andnon-residential market segments combined.5This market segment owes its strength inrecent years to declines in the installed costof utility-scale PV systems. The costs averagedaround $1.53/watt nationally in Q3 2015, aigure representing an 18.6% decline year-over-year and only one-third of the national averagereported residential system price. The pricedeclines have resulted in continued increases in
the inancial beneits of solar energy relative toconventional forms of electricity.6
Another strong driver of utility-scale growthhas been state and national policy. Installationsin 2012 and 2013 were primarily due to utilityefforts to meet their obligations under the statesRenewable Portfolio Standard (RPS), which atthe time required 33% of utility retail electricsales be derived from renewable sources by
Source: SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
0.0
500.0
1,000.0
1,500.0
2,000.0
2,500.0
3,000.0
3,500.0
4,000.0
4,500.0
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015E
AddedCapacity(M
W)
California Solar Capacity Additions, 2010 - 2015E
Residential (PV) Non-Residential (PV) Utility (PV) Concentrating Solar Power (CSP)
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3California Solar Jobs Census 2015
2020. By 2013, California utilities already had apipeline of projects suficient for meeting theirRPS obligations. As the state RPS waned as adriver of utility-scale growth, looming nationalsolar policy changes continued to spur growth.
Until very recently, the federal investment taxcredit (ITC) was set to expire completely forresidential solar energy systems and reduce to10% for all others at the end of 2016,7 providingutilities with an incentive to complete projectsin time to take advantage of the tax credit at itsfull 30% value.
Though annual residential capacity additionshave remained small compared with utility-scale projects, the residential market segment
has grown at a compound annual growth rateof 58% since 2010. It remains a strong driver ofnational residential solar growth. As of Q3 2015,the California residential solar market segmentaccounted for nearly 50% of all cumulativeresidential solar capacity in the United States.8The success of this market segment wasspurred by a statewide solar rebate program,falling installed costs for solar, and a net energymetering (NEM) policy that valued net excesssolar generation at retail utility rates.
Throughout 2015 and into early 2016, however,there was some uncertainty as to what degreeNEM would remain as strong a driver of behind-the-meter solar, due to California Public UtilitiesCommission (CPUC) proceedings on residentialrate reform. In July of last year, CPUC regulatorsapproved a plan to reduce the number ofelectricity rate tiers (based on total monthlyconsumption) from four down to two plus asuper-user electric surcharge on the highest
energy users. The plan also provides for theroll-out of time of use (TOU) rates which varywith demand throughout a single day withall residential customers being defaulted ontoTOU rates starting in 2019. Regulators alsodeferred a decision on imposing ixed monthlycharges on customers. In lieu of a ixed chargethe Commission has instituted a minimum bill.The Commission will revisit ixed charges in
2016. While the new structure is expected toreduce the inancial value of an investment insolar by higher energy users, it has the potentialto increase the beneits to lower energy users.10
January 2016 brought the CPUCs inal decision
on a successor NEM tariff which will charge newcustomers a modest one-time interconnectionfee, retain the valuation of net excess generationat the utility retail rate, charge non-bypassablecharges for all imports from the grid ratherthan on net energy usage, and require thesecustomers to quickly move over to TOU rates.The CPUC will re-examine this revised NEMpolicy in 2019, when it will seek to address thevaluation of distributed energy resource morebroadly and incorporate these values into a newplan for grid investments.
The non-residential projects comprise thesmallest of the three market segments, the350 MW of new capacity expected in 2015represents one-third of all non-residentialsolar capacity estimated to have been installedin the nation last year. To further put this intoperspective, projected 2015 capacity additionsin the California non-residential market segmentequal or exceed the cumulative capacity acrossall market segments in each of 39 states.11Continued growth in this market segmentis expected to be driven by a diverse set ofprojects, including smaller non-residential andcommunity shared solar projects.12California isone of four states (with Colorado, Massachusetts,and Minnesota) that are collectively expectedto account for over 80% of all new communityshared solar projects over the next two years.13
As of November 2015, theCalifornia solar industryemployed 75,598 solarworkers, representing3 8 . 2 % g r o w t h i nemployment over theprevious year.
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4California Solar Jobs Census 2015
ABOUT THE CALIFORNIA SOLAR JOBS CENSUS 2015This report includes information about all typesof California companies engaged in the analysis,research and development, production, sales,installation, and use of all solar technologies ranging from solar photovoltaics (PV), toconcentrating solar power (CSP), to solar waterheating systems for the residential, commercial,industrial, and utility market segments.
The indings presented herein are based onrigorous survey efforts throughout the monthsof September, October, and November 2015 thatinclude telephone calls and emails to known andpotential solar establishments across California.Unlike economic impact models that generateemployment estimates based on economicdata or jobs-per-megawatt (or jobs-per-dollar)assumptions, The Solar Foundations Solar Jobs
Census series provides statistically valid andcurrent data gathered from actual employers.This analysis also purposefully avoids artiiciallyinlating its results with questionable multipliereffects often found in analyses of otherindustries.
The number of establishments included in thisreport include all businesses that conduct anysolar activity. This includes many businessesthat play a very small part in a solar project,or provide inancing, legal services, or othersupport services to solar irms. Employment,however, is only counted for workers that spendat least 50% of their time on solar.
A full explanation of this methodology can befound on page 21 of this report.
Last years expansion of the state RPSrequirement from 33% of retail sales fromrenewables by 2020 to 50% by 2030 can beexpected to support additional growth in allmarket segments.14
With most of the states most pressing solarpolicy challenges resolved at least for the next
few years and federal solar incentives extendedinto the beginning of the next decade, it is nosurprise that solar employers remain optimisticabout growth. By the end of 2016, solarcompanies across California are expected toemploy an additional 14,288 solar workers (at
an annual growth rate of 18.9%) for a total solarworkforce of nearly 90,000.15
Photo by Roxie Brown, TSF
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Key Data Points
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
14,318(18.9%)
Capacity Installed in
2015 thru Q3 (MW)17
2,170.1
CALIFORNIA
SOLAR JOBSTotal Solar Jobs, 2015
75,598Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)16
12,146.8Detailed employment and demographic data for California's legislative districts, counties, and metropolitan statistical ar-
eas can be found in the appendix of this report and on The Solar Foundations interactive jobs map at SolarStates.org.
http://solarstates.org/http://solarstates.org/7/25/2019 California Solar Jobs Census 2015
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6California Solar Jobs Census 2015
WORKFORCEOVERVIEW
Sales & Distribution Jobs
11,223
Project Development Jobs
8,979
Other Jobs
3,617
Manufacturing Jobs
11,183
Installation Jobs
40,597The California solar industry employs 75,598
solar workers at 13,280 establishmentsthroughout the state, is ranked 1st nationallyin jobs, and 2nd in solar jobs as a share of thestates total employment. The solar workforcein the state expanded by 38.2% since Census2014, representing a net gain of 20,908 solarworkers; California added more than double thenumber of new solar jobs in 2015 as projectedin 2014. Employers expect a continuation ofthis trend in 2016, adding approximately
14,318 new solar workers to payrolls over
the next 12 months a growth rate of 18.9% while the states workforce as a whole is
projected to grow only 1.1% during the same
period.18
Over half (53.7%) of California solar workersare employed at installation irms. Themanufacturing and sales and distribution sectorsrepresent the second-largest employmentsector in the state, accounting for 14.8% ofsolar workers each. Project developmentcompanies employ 11.9% of Californias solarworkers, with businesses and organizations inthe Other category including positions inthe nonproit sector, government, and academia representing the remaining (4.8%) of theCalifornia solar workforce.
47,223
54,690
75,598
89,886
-
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
60,000
70,000
80,000
90,000
100,000
2013 2014 2015 2016E
California Solar Jobs, 2013 - 2016E
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7California Solar Jobs Census 2015
C S
W
C Ov
Epyt19U.S. S
W
W 27.7% 45.4% 23.8%
A-A 4.4% 5.5% 5.1%
A P
I12.2% 14.9% 8.6%
Lt Hp 14.4% 36.1% 11.3%
O W (55+) 17.5% 21.1% 18.6%
U Mb 10.0% - 5.5%
Vt th U.S. A
F9.2% 4.6% 8.1%
Approximately 56% of the states 75,598 solarworkers support projects in the residentialmarket segment, with 21% focused on non-residential projects and 23% on utility-scaleinstallations. Though the utility-scale marketsegment represented the majority of new solar
PV capacity in 2015 (54%), these projects are theleast labor-intensive, meaning fewer workersare required to install the same amount of solarcapacity as in the residential or non-residentialmarket segments.
The California solar workforce is generallyless diverse than the states workforce asa whole, with women (27.7%), African-Americans (4.4%), Asian or Paciic Islanders(12.2%), Latino/Hispanic workers (14.4%),
and older workers (17.5%) all relativelyunderrepresented. However, participationin the solar industry among many of thesedemographic groups has increased year-over-year. In 2014, only 23.7% of solar workers werewomen (a four percentage point increase),10.8% were Asian or Paciic Islanders (versus12.2% in 2015) and 6.1% were Veterans of the
U.S. Armed Forces (compared with 9.2%). Inaddition, many of these otherwise underserveddemographics women, Asian or PaciicIslanders, Latino/Hispanic workers, unionmembers, and veterans are represented in thestate solar workforce at higher rates than their
counterparts in the solar industry nationwide.
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces represent auniquely valuable source of human capital forsolar employers. With a proven work ethic andpracticed discipline, veterans bring a wealthof readily transferable skills and leadershipacumen to the industry. Through the SolarReady Vets program, the U.S. Department ofEnergy is helping the industry capitalize onthis resource by facilitating the transition from
military service to employment in the civiliansolar workforce.20 California solar irmsclearly understand this value proposition,
with veterans comprising 9.2% of the states
solar workforce, compared to just 4.6% of
the states total workforce and 8.1% of the
solar workforce nationally.
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8California Solar Jobs Census 2015
PtC
M Wg
P Dv
M Wg
U.S.
M Wg
S It $22.00 $22.00 $21.00
S S Rpttv $31.25 $28.85 $28.85
S Syt Dg $30.00 $30.00 $26.92
S Aby W $21.50 $20.00 $18.00
24.2%
24.0%
23.2%
51.7%
52.7%
54.7%
24.2%
23.3%
22.0%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
National
Pacific
California
Difficulty Hiring in California
Not Difficult Somewhat Difficult Very Difficult
Wages paid by irms in the California solarindustry equaled or exceeded those paid by solaremployers across the other states comprisingthe U.S. Census Bureaus Paciic Division21 andexceeded national industry averages for allpositions studied. Solar installers in the stateare among the highest paid in the country at$22.00 per hour, and solar sales representatives,system designers, and assembly workers all
receive hourly wages around two or threedollars higher than the national median.
Solar employers in California experience aslightly higher level of dificulty on averageinding qualiied candidates to ill openingson their payrolls than other solar irms in thePaciic Division and across the country.
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9California Solar Jobs Census 2015
Just over half (53%) of California solar irmsreported that they receive all of their revenuesfrom solar activities, which is higher than thenational average of 48.2%. Another 23.8%reported that they receive less than half of theirrevenues from solar activities, compared to28.5% nationally. A signiicantly larger portionof the states solar irms (75%) work primarilywith in-state customers than solar irmsnationally (65.6%), though a much smallerportion (1.9%) work primarily with customersin a bordering state than solar irms nationally(5.0%). As the nations single largest state solar
market, it is not surprising that much of thesolar employment in California is focused on in-state activity.
As part of the 2015 Census effort, employerswere asked about the impacts of speciic
existing, pending and proposed policies ontheir business prospects. California employersoverwhelmingly cite the federal investmenttax credit (ITC) as substantially contributing totheir irms success, with 48.5% of respondentsreferring to it directly. The ITC response is nearlydouble the proportion citing the second-mostfavored policy, the states renewable energystandard, at 26.5%.
The following pages include detailed breakdownsof workforce data by sector Installation,Manufacturing, Sales & Distribution, Project
Development and Other - for the California solarindustry.
0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%
Net Metering
Utility Rebates
EPA Clean Power Plan
Other Tax Exemptions, Credits, & Rebates
State Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)
Investment Tax Credit (ITC)
Businesses Citing Policies Contributing to Success
CA National
22
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10California Solar Jobs Census 2015
INSTALLATION
The installation sector isthe largest sector of theU.S. solar industry and iscomposed of companies thatprimarily install PV, solar
water heating, and othersolar energy technologies.
Firms in this sector are responsible for 53.7%of all solar employment in California, employing40,597 solar workers. This represents a dramaticincrease of 29% since 2014, when irms in thesector employed 31,470 workers.
Change Since 2014
+9,127
Establishments
8,350
Solar Installer
Median Wage
$22/hr
Rate of Change
Since 2014
29.0%
Sector Jobs
40,597
26,052
31,470
40,597
0
10,000
20,000
30,000
40,000
50,000
2013 2014 2015
CA Installation Jobs,
2013 - 2015
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11California Solar Jobs Census 2015
California installation irms report greaterlevels of dificulty inding qualiied candidatesto ill open positions than irms in other sectorsof the states solar industry, but approximatelythe same level of dificulty as other irms in theinstallation sector nationwide.
A signiicantly larger percentage of Californiainstallation irms (87.2%) work primarily with
in-state customers than their counterparts in
the installation sector nationwide (81.5%).Similarly, a larger percentage of installationirms in the state are pure play solar businesses,receiving 100% of their revenue from solaractivities, than installation irms across thecountry. This consolidation, both of businessactivity and customer base, may be another signof employer conidence in the California solarmarket.
19.7%
18.6%
54.2%
55.9%
26.0%
25.4%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
U.S. Installation
CA Installation
Installation Sector - Difficulty Hiring
Not Difficult Somewhat Difficult Very Difficult
11.7%
13.2%
7.2%
6.3%
22.1%
16.0%
Pure Plays, 59.0%
Pure Plays, 64.6%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
U.S. Installation
CA Installation
Installation Sector - % Revenues from Solar
1-24% 25-49% 50-99% Pure Plays
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12California Solar Jobs Census 2015
MANUFACTURING
Solar manufacturers producea variety of products andcomponents for domestic andinternational markets.
In 2015, the California solar manufacturingsector grew slightly (5.4%, or approximately580 solar workers), though at a greater pacethan was observed the previous year (just under1.0%). The manufacturing sector is responsiblefor 14.8% of all solar employment in California,employing 11,183 solar workers.
Change Since 2014
+577
Establishments
1,385
Solar System Designer
Median Wage
$21.50/hr
Rate of Growth
Since 2014
5.4%
Sector Jobs
11,183
10,504 10,606 11,183
0
2,0004,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
2013 2014 2015
CA Manufacturing Jobs,
2013 - 2015
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13California Solar Jobs Census 2015
Solar manufacturers in the state report a similarlevels of dificulty inding qualiied candidates toill open positions as irms in the manufacturingsector nationwide.
A larger percentage of manufacturing irmsin the state are pure play solar businesses,
receiving 100% of their revenue from solaractivities, than manufacturing irms acrossthe country. Just over 77% of California solarmanufacturing irms receive at least half of theirrevenues from solar, compared with only 56%at the national level.
24.6%
19.4%
55.3%
66.7%
20.2%
13.9%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
U.S. Manufacturing
CA Manufacturing
Manufacturing Sector - Difficulty Hiring
Not Difficult Somewhat Difficult Very Difficult
26.0%
16.7%
8.3%
6.3%
16.0%
25.0%
Pure Plays, 49.7%
Pure Plays, 52.1%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
U.S. Manufacturing
CA Manufacturing
Manufacturing Sector - % Revenues from Solar
1-24% 25-49% 50-99% Pure Plays
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14California Solar Jobs Census 2015
SALES &
DISTRIBUTION
Sales & distribution firmsprimarily sell (but do notinstall) solar goods andservices to customers and/or warehouse and distributesolar goods to/ for installers.
Employment in this sector saw a sharp increasein 2015; the 3,532 new sales and distributionsolar workers represent nearly 50% growthover the previous year.
Change Since 2014
+3,532
Establishments
715
Solar System Designer
Median Wage
$31.25/hr
Rate of Growth
Since 2014
45.9%
Sector Jobs
11,223
5,877
7,691
11,223
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
12,000
2013 2014 2015
CA Sales & Distribution Jobs,
2013 - 2015
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15California Solar Jobs Census 2015
Employers in the sales and distribution sectorexperienced considerably less difficulty in hiringnew solar workers than their peers at the nationallevel.
Over 90% of California sales and distribution firmsreceive a majority of their revenues from solar. Bycomparison, just over 80% of these firms receiveat least 50% of their revenues from solar at thenational level
24.7%
30.4%
51.9%
58.7%
23.4%
10.9%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
U.S. Sales & Distribution
CA Sales & Distribution
Sales & Distribution Sector - Difficulty Hiring
Not Difficult Somewhat Difficult Very Difficult
11.7%
6.4%
7.8%
2.6%
27.6%
26.9%
Pure Plays, 52.9%
Pure Plays, 64.1%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
U.S. Sales & Distribution
CA Sales & Distribution
Sales & Distribution Sector - % Revenues from Solar
1-24% 25-49% 50-99% Pure Plays
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16California Solar Jobs Census 2015
PROJECT
DEVELOPMENT
The project developmentsector includes companiesthat plan, design and buildlarge commercial- andutility-scale solar projects.
Employment in this sector nearly tripled in 2015,with a net increase of nearly 6,000 solar workersby the end of the year.
Such growth may have been driven by thelooming reduction of the federal ITC from 30%to 10% of qualiied project costs at the end of2016, spurring a lurry of development activityto ensure projects would come online in time to
receive the higher credit value.
Change Since 2014
+5,968
Establishments
1,046
Solar System Designer
Median Wage
$30/hr
Rate of Growth
Since 2014
198.2%
Sector Jobs
8,979
2,3693,011
8,979
0
2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
10,000
2013 2014 2015
CA Project Development Jobs,
2013 - 2015
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17California Solar Jobs Census 2015
California project developers report similarlevels of dificulty inding qualiied candidatesto ill openings on their payrolls than irms onaverage across the states solar industry morebroadly, as well as other irms in the projectdevelopment sector nationwide.
A significantly larger percentage of California
project development firms (82.8%) work primarily
with in-state customers than their counterpartsin the project development sector nationwide(74.9%), likely due to the states exceptionally largeutility-scale market segment. Similarly, a largerpercentage of project development firms in thestate are pure play solar businesses, receiving 100%of their revenue from solar activities, than projectdevelopment firms across the country.
21.4%
21.1%
54.1%
55.8%
24.5%
23.1%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
U.S. Project Development
CA Project Development
Project Development Sector - Difficulty Hiring
Not Difficult Somewhat Difficult Very Difficult
14.5%
13.2%
7.8%
6.6%
23.1%
20.3%
Pure Plays, 54.6%
Pure Plays, 59.9%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
U.S. Project Development
CA Project Development
Project Development Sector - % Revenues from Solar
1-24% 25-49% 50-99% Pure Plays
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18California Solar Jobs Census 2015
OTHER
Other firms active insolar are primarily researchand development firms,nonprofits, governmentagencies, academic researchcenters, etc.
The workforce in this sector nearly doubled insize in 2015, with the addition of over 1,700 newsolar workers.
Change Since 2014
+1,705
Establishments
1,811
Solar System Designer
Median Wage
$21.50/hr
Rate of Growth
Since 2014
89.2%
Sector Jobs
3,617
2,421
1,912
3,617
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
2013 2014 2015
CA "Other" Jobs,
2013 - 2015
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19California Solar Jobs Census 2015
Though irms in the other sector reportexperiencing considerably more dificulty inilling open positions than the peers at thenational level. Nearly 77% of California irmsreport at least some dificulty, comparedwith just over 72% nationwide. Except forsales and distribution irms, employers in the
other sector seem to have an easier time with
identifying and recruiting new staff than otherCalifornia sectors.
A larger percentage of other irms in Californiaderive at least half of their revenues from solaractivities (nearly 70%) than similar irms at thenational level (66.5%).
27.9%
23.1%
53.5%
52.3%
18.6%
24.6%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
U.S. "Other"
CA "Other"
"Other" Sector - Difficulty Hiring
Not Difficult Somewhat Difficult Very Difficult
23.4%
19.5%
10.1%
10.6%
24.3%
26.5%
Pure Plays, 42.2%
Pure Plays, 43.4%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
U.S. "Other"
CA "Other"
"Other" Sector -% Revenues from Solar
1-24% 25-49% 50-99% Pure Plays
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20California Solar Jobs Census 2015
CONCLUSIONThe California solar industry maintained itsposition as the national leader in annual installed
capacity in 2015. Given the strong relationship
between solar capacity and employment, thiscontinued success has made California thesingle largest solar employer among the states,accounting for approximately 36% of all solarworkers in the United States. As in previousyears, this growth was primarily driven by theutility market segment which represented justover 54% of new solar capacity installed duringthe year. The ever-maturing solar industry inthe state has allowed for signiicant year-over-year growth in both the residential and non-
residential market segments.
Though the California solar industry is projectedto have installed less new solar capacityyear-over-year in 2015 for the irst time thisdecade, the solar employment data presentedherein coupled with positive capacity growthprojections for the foreseeable future painta picture of a vibrant, strong, and growingindustry. With the states most pressing andimmediate solar policy challenges put to bed
for the next few years, and with the federal ITCextended through 2021, it appears that solaremployers throughout the state have enoughcertainty to plan their investments and growfor the near term. As such, California solar
employers remain as optimistic about growthas ever, expecting to add nearly 14,300 jobs in2016 (representing annual growth of 18.9%).
Such growth would see the California solarworkforce in 2016 approach 90,000 solarworkers nearly as many as were employed inthe entire nation at the beginning of the decade.
In order to sustain this future growth, it isessential that California employers have readyaccess to quality talent and skilled labor orenhance their on-the-job training offerings. Toachieve this, more focused and comprehensivesolar training efforts in-house, in-state,
and across the country must be suficientlyemphasized. These efforts would reduce theindustrys talent acquisition, training, andretention costs, increasing eficiency across thesolar value chain, and ultimately reducing costsfor California solar customers.
This research shows that the California solarindustry is a source of economic opportunity,with the potential to create jobs that pay livingwages and are largely available to individuals
of different backgrounds from across the state.Only regular reexaminations of the states solarindustry, its workforce, and the employmentopportunities presented herein will conirmthis potential is realized in years to come.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons,Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command Headquarters, San Diegim CA
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21California Solar Jobs Census 2015
The Solar Jobs Censusmethodology is the most
closely aligned with the Bureau of Labor Statis-tics (BLS) methodology for its Quarterly Cen-sus of Employment and Wages (QCEW) andCurrent Employment Statistics (CES). Like BLS,this study uses survey questionnaires and em-ployer-reported data, though ours are adminis-tered by phone and web, as opposed to mail.
Also like BLS, we develop a hierarchy of vari-ous categories that represent solar value chainactivities (within their broader NAICS frame-
work), develop representative sample frames,and use statistical analysis and extrapolation ina very similar manner to BLS. We also constrainour universe of establishments by relying onthe most recent data from the BLS or the statedepartments of labor, depending on which iscollected most recently. We believe that the cat-egories that we have developed could be read-ily adopted by BLS should it choose to begin toquantify solar employment in its QCEW and CES
series.The results from the overall 2015 Censuseffortare based on rigorous survey efforts that include287,962 telephone calls and over 44,220 emailsto known and potential energy establishmentsacross the United States, resulting in a total of2,350 full completions for solar establishmentsin the U.S. Unlike economic impact models thatgenerate employment estimates based on eco-nomic data or jobs-per-megawatt (or jobs-per-
dollar) assumptions, the Solar Jobs Census se-ries provides statistically valid and current datagathered from actual employers.
The survey was administered to a known uni-verse of energy employers that includes 68,494establishments and is derived from the SolarEnergy Industry Associations National SolarDatabase, as well as other public and private
sources. Of these establishments, 2,118 identi-
ied as solar and completed full or substantiallycompleted surveys.
The survey was also administered to a strati-ied, clustered, random sampling from variousindustries that are potentially energy-related(unknown universe) that include a total of ap-proximately 314,000 establishments nation-wide. After an extensive cleaning and de-dupli-cation process, a sampling plan was developedthat gathered information on the level of solar
activity (including none) from 12,765 establish-ments. Of these, 327 establishments qualiiedas solar establishments and completed full sur-veys. The sampling rigor in the known and un-known universes provides a margin of error forestablishment counts at +/-0.85% and employ-ment at +/-1.99% at a 95% conidence interval.
This level of national sampling rigor is mirroredat the state level. In addition to the known Cen-sus, the clustered sampling in the unknown
universe is representative relative to establish-ment totals by size in each of the 50 states andthe District of Columbia. This ensures that eachstates employment estimates are accurate witha maximum margin of error under +/-5% at a95% conidence interval.
Due to the number of qualifying responses,some smaller states have higher margins of er-ror for non-employment related questions, suchas workforce and policy related questions, due
to the small universe of solar establishments ineach state. As a result, some state-level, non-em-ployment data is reported using regional aver-ages or have footnotes denoting small responsesizes.
APPENDIX
STATE CENSUS METHODOLOGY AND DATA SOURCES
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22California Solar Jobs Census 2015
GEOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION OF DATA
In addition to the statewide results detailed
herein, the Solar Jobs Census 2015 effort
compiled comprehensive information about thedistribution of solar workers across each state.
The Solar Jobs Census 2015 companion website,
SolarStates.org,houses solar jobs data for each
state and the District of Columbia. Here, the
employment data have been broken out and
represented in map form at the state, federal
congressional district, state legislative district,
metropolitan statistical area, and countylevels. What follows are tables presenting
the employment counts and demographic
breakdowns of the workforce at each speciied
level of granularity previously mentioned.
District TotalEmployment
Women African-American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino orHispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
UnionMembers
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
1 2,990 1,020 187 369 454 531 312 195
2 3,705 1,264 232 457 563 658 386 241
3 2,271 775 142 280 345 403 237 148
4 2,756 940 172 340 419 489 287 179
5 1,850 631 116 228 281 328 193 120
6 1,823 622 114 225 277 324 190 119
7 1,174 400 73 145 178 208 122 76
8 1,116 381 70 138 170 198 116 73
9 1,284 438 80 158 195 228 134 84
10 2,049 558 87 121 504 260 633 307
11 1,762 601 110 217 268 313 184 115
12 1,928 658 121 238 293 342 201 126
13 2,273 775 142 280 345 403 237 148
14 2,375 810 149 293 361 422 248 155
15 1,033 352 65 127 157 183 108 67
16 1,119 382 70 138 170 199 117 73
17 1,914 653 120 236 291 340 200 125
18 902 308 56 111 137 160 94 5919 935 319 58 115 142 166 97 61
20 486 166 30 60 74 86 51 32
21 657 224 41 81 100 117 68 43
22 692 236 43 85 105 123 72 45
23 987 162 10 44 176 146 18 134
24 866 296 54 107 132 154 90 56
25 556 91 6 25 99 82 10 75
26 449 74 5 20 80 66 8 61
CALIFORNIA FEDERAL CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
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23California Solar Jobs Census 2015
DistrictTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
1 3,719 1,275 235 472 554 666 379 238
2 2,437 836 154 309 363 436 248 156
3 2,316 383 24 106 405 344 41 308
4 2,198 483 71 173 200 486 6 117
5 1,000 165 10 46 175 149 18 133
6 892 244 38 54 215 114 269 132
7 992 272 43 60 239 127 299 146
8 1,733 475 74 106 418 222 523 256
CALIFORNIA STATE SENATE
DistrictTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
27 614 101 6 27 109 91 11 83
28 1,757 289 18 78 313 259 32 238
29 505 83 5 22 90 75 9 68
30 903 148 9 40 161 133 17 122
31 454 107 13 73 66 86 89 57
32 919 216 27 148 134 174 181 115
33 1,038 170 11 46 185 153 19 140
34 974 223 27 199 77 187 73 106
35 1,312 300 36 269 104 252 98 143
36 1,484 244 15 66 265 219 27 201
37 1,558 357 43 319 124 299 116 169
38 1,938 444 54 397 154 372 145 211
39 2,056 470 57 421 164 395 154 22340 2,758 631 76 565 220 530 206 300
41 3,572 817 99 732 284 686 267 388
42 849 185 27 65 79 186 2 46
43 2,207 505 61 452 176 424 165 240
44 725 158 23 56 67 159 2 39
45 3,599 786 115 276 334 790 9 195
46 391 64 4 17 70 58 7 53
47 608 100 6 27 108 90 11 82
48 716 118 7 32 128 106 13 97
49 934 254 40 55 230 118 288 140
50 802 218 34 48 197 102 248 120
51 609 166 26 36 150 77 188 91
52 1,456 397 62 86 358 185 450 218
53 907 247 39 54 223 115 280 136
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24California Solar Jobs Census 2015
DistrictTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
9 3,331 913 143 203 803 426 1,005 492
10 3,857 1,323 244 489 574 691 393 247
11 3,571 1,225 225 453 532 639 364 229
12 1,637 561 103 208 244 293 167 105
13 3,165 1,086 200 402 471 567 322 203
14 1,950 669 123 247 290 349 199 125
15 1,881 645 119 239 280 337 192 120
16 1,585 544 100 201 236 284 161 101
17 2,297 788 145 291 342 411 234 147
18 2,998 1,028 189 380 446 537 305 192
19 1,235 424 78 157 184 221 126 79
20 955 328 60 121 142 171 97 61
21 1,038 356 66 132 155 186 106 6622 1,248 428 79 158 186 223 127 80
23 600 206 38 76 89 107 61 38
24 2,970 652 96 234 270 657 7 158
25 791 271 50 100 118 142 81 51
26 1,122 307 48 68 271 144 338 166
27 1,185 196 12 54 207 176 21 158
28 1,157 191 12 53 202 172 21 154
29 960 159 10 44 168 143 17 128
30 1,011 239 30 168 145 193 194 125
31 1,456 241 15 66 254 217 26 194
32 1,741 400 49 367 136 337 127 186
33 1,228 203 13 56 215 183 22 163
34 2,337 538 65 492 182 452 170 250
35 3,020 695 84 636 236 585 220 323
36 3,680 847 103 775 287 713 268 393
37 3,167 729 88 667 247 613 231 338
38 1,462 336 41 308 114 283 107 156
39 1,146 189 12 52 200 170 20 152
40 531 88 5 24 93 79 9 71
CALIFORNIA STATE ASSEMBLY
DistrictTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
1 1,102 190 12 47 200 163 19 137
2 686 119 8 29 124 101 12 86
3 372 64 4 16 67 55 6 46
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25California Solar Jobs Census 2015
DistrictTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
4 1,905 329 21 81 346 281 32 238
5 649 112 7 28 118 96 11 81
6 1,667 412 54 259 248 316 304 193
7 1,205 298 39 187 179 229 220 140
8 169 42 5 26 25 32 31 20
9 129 32 4 20 19 25 24 15
10 1,389 335 43 274 113 267 96 139
11 219 38 2 9 40 32 4 27
12 514 89 6 22 93 76 9 64
13 387 67 4 17 70 57 7 48
14 1,686 406 52 332 137 324 116 169
15 1,995 480 61 393 162 383 138 200
16 658 158 20 130 53 126 45 6617 3,537 852 108 697 286 680 244 354
18 1,565 377 48 309 127 301 108 157
19 516 124 16 102 42 99 36 52
20 1,326 319 41 261 107 255 92 133
21 296 51 3 13 54 44 5 37
22 2,680 645 82 528 217 515 185 269
23 811 140 9 35 147 120 14 101
24 2,143 516 66 422 173 412 148 215
25 3,532 850 108 696 286 679 244 354
26 579 100 7 25 105 85 10 72
27 411 99 13 81 33 79 28 41
28 777 187 24 153 63 149 54 78
29 1,258 289 45 93 119 276 3 63
30 355 82 13 26 33 78 1 18
31 164 28 2 7 30 24 3 21
32 649 186 31 37 162 82 185 90
33 513 89 6 22 93 76 9 64
34 316 55 4 13 57 47 5 39
35 1,884 433 67 139 178 414 4 94
36 640 184 30 37 160 81 183 89
37 2,191 504 78 162 207 481 5 110
38 1,579 567 109 188 244 281 152 95
39 683 245 47 81 106 121 66 41
40 588 169 28 34 147 75 168 81
41 1,350 387 64 77 338 171 386 187
42 1,122 322 53 64 281 143 321 155
43 1,056 379 73 125 163 188 102 63
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26California Solar Jobs Census 2015
DistrictTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
44 483 173 33 57 75 86 47 29
45 1,180 423 82 140 182 210 114 71
46 360 129 25 43 56 64 35 22
47 312 89 15 18 78 40 89 43
48 728 261 50 86 113 129 70 44
49 431 155 30 51 67 77 42 26
50 1,441 517 100 171 223 256 139 86
51 641 230 44 76 99 114 62 38
52 872 250 41 50 218 111 249 121
53 637 229 44 76 98 113 61 38
54 659 237 46 78 102 117 64 40
55 932 267 44 53 233 118 266 129
56 206 36 2 9 37 30 3 2657 763 274 53 91 118 136 74 46
58 279 100 19 33 43 50 27 17
59 138 50 10 16 21 25 13 8
60 406 116 19 23 102 52 116 56
61 1,029 295 48 59 258 131 294 142
62 884 317 61 105 137 157 85 53
63 498 179 34 59 77 89 48 30
64 572 205 40 68 88 102 55 34
65 683 245 47 81 106 121 66 41
66 489 176 34 58 76 87 47 29
67 619 178 29 35 155 79 177 86
68 1,956 702 135 232 302 347 189 117
69 480 172 33 57 74 85 46 29
70 703 252 49 84 109 125 68 42
71 818 141 9 35 148 121 14 102
72 502 180 35 60 78 89 48 30
73 687 247 48 82 106 122 66 41
74 871 313 60 103 135 155 84 52
75 1,302 373 61 74 326 165 372 180
76 947 340 66 112 146 168 91 57
77 2,754 988 190 327 426 489 266 165
78 1,660 596 115 197 257 295 160 100
79 403 145 28 48 62 72 39 24
80 17 6 1 2 3 3 2 1
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27California Solar Jobs Census 2015
Metropolitan
Statistical Area
Total
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino
or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
Bakersield, CA 867 145 9 34 166 125 16 115
CA NONMETRO-POLITAN AREA
1,285 215 14 51 246 186 23 170
Chico, CA 411 69 4 16 79 59 7 54
El Centro, CA 165 28 2 7 32 24 3 22
Fresno, CA 942 157 10 37 181 136 17 125
Hanford-Corcor-
an, CA127 35 6 7 34 16 38 19
Los Angeles-
Long Beach-
Santa Ana, CA
21,263 7,369 1,380 2,327 3,474 3,697 2,169 1,354
Madera, CA 153 26 2 6 29 22 3 20
Merced, CA 234 39 2 9 45 34 4 31
Modesto, CA 432 72 5 17 83 62 8 57
Napa, CA 121 20 1 5 23 17 2 16
Oxnard-
Thousand Oaks-
Ventura, CA
1,378 478 89 151 225 240 141 88
Redding, CA 210 35 2 8 40 30 4 28
Riverside-San
Bernardino-
Ontario, CA
5,534 1,532 244 291 1,464 688 1,672 812
Sacramento-Arden-
Arcade-
Roseville, CA
3,732 890 113 534 586 693 719 458
Salinas, CA 519 115 17 35 52 111 1 27
San Diego-
Carlsbad-
San Marcos, CA
8,402 2,912 545 919 1,373 1,461 857 535
San Francisco-
Oakland-
Fremont, CA
15,631 3,633 449 2,840 1,338 2,939 1,142 1,661
San Jose-Sunny-
vale-Santa Clara,
CA6,642 1,544 191 1,207 568 1,249 485 706
San Luis Obispo-
Paso Robles, CA1,437 319 48 98 143 309 4 76
Santa Barbara-
Santa Maria-
Goleta, CA
1,636 363 54 111 163 351 4 87
Santa Cruz-Wat-
sonville, CA656 146 22 45 65 141 2 35
CALIFORNIA METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS
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28California Solar Jobs Census 2015
CountyTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
Alameda 4,619 1,076 133 845 394 870 341 490Alpine 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Amador 51 8 1 2 10 7 1 7
Butte 411 69 4 16 79 59 7 54
Calaveras 58 10 1 2 11 8 1 8
Colusa 38 6 0 2 7 6 1 5
Contra Costa 2,751 641 79 503 235 518 203 292
Del Norte 32 5 0 1 6 5 1 4
El Dorado 213 36 2 8 41 31 4 28
Fresno 937 157 10 37 179 136 17 124
Glenn 48 8 1 2 9 7 1 6
Humboldt 178 30 2 7 34 26 3 24
Imperial 168 28 2 7 32 24 3 22
Inyo 49 8 1 2 9 7 1 6
Kern 866 145 9 34 166 125 16 114
Kings 127 35 6 7 33 16 39 19
Lake 69 11 1 3 13 10 1 9
Lassen 46 8 0 2 9 7 1 6
Los Angeles 15,142 5,257 986 1,668 2,468 2,638 1,561 962
Madera 159 27 2 6 30 23 3 21
Marin 1,252 292 36 229 107 236 92 133
Mariposa 36 6 0 1 7 5 1 5
Mendocino 141 24 1 6 27 20 3 19
Merced 234 39 2 9 45 34 4 31
Modoc 32 5 0 1 6 5 1 4
Mono 34 6 0 1 7 5 1 5
Monterey 519 115 17 36 52 112 1 27
Napa 121 20 1 5 23 18 2 16
Metropolitan
Statistical Area
Total
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino
or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
Santa Rosa-
Petaluma, CA2,418 562 69 439 207 455 177 257
Stockton, CA 586 98 6 23 112 85 10 78
Vallejo-Fairield,
CA231 39 2 9 44 33 4 31
Visalia-
Porterville, CA453 76 5 18 87 65 8 60
Yuba City, CA 133 22 1 5 25 19 2 18
CALIFORNIA COUNTIES
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29California Solar Jobs Census 2015
CountyTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
Nevada 158 26 2 6 30 23 3 21
Orange 6,129 2,128 399 675 999 1,068 632 390
Placer 1,360 325 41 196 213 253 265 167Plumas 50 8 1 2 10 7 1 7
Riverside 3,332 924 148 176 880 415 1,017 488
Sacramento 1,814 433 55 261 284 337 353 222
San Benito 72 16 2 5 7 16 0 4
San
Bernardino2,283 633 101 121 603 284 697 334
San Diego 8,336 2,895 543 918 1,359 1,452 859 530
San
Francisco3,686 858 106 674 315 694 272 391
San Joaquin 586 98 6 23 112 85 11 77
San Luis
Obispo1,438 320 48 98 143 310 4 76
San Mateo 3,221 750 93 589 275 607 238 342
Santa
Barbara1,637 364 55 112 163 353 4 87
Santa Clara 6,757 1,574 195 1,236 577 1,273 499 717
Santa Cruz 570 127 19 39 57 123 1 30
Shasta 198 33 2 8 38 29 4 26
Sierra 9 1 0 0 2 1 0 1
Siskiyou 93 15 1 4 18 13 2 12
Solano 231 39 2 9 44 33 4 31
Sonoma 2,419 563 70 442 207 456 179 257
Stanislaus 429 72 5 17 82 62 8 57
Sutter 86 14 1 3 17 13 2 11
Tehama 72 12 1 3 14 10 1 10
Trinity 33 6 0 1 6 5 1 4
Tulare 454 76 5 18 87 66 8 60
Tuolumne 82 14 1 3 16 12 1 11
Ventura 1,379 479 90 152 225 240 142 88
Yolo 305 51 3 12 58 44 6 40Yuba 47 8 1 2 9 7 1 6
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ENDNOTES
1. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
2. Id.
3. The California Solar Jobs Census 2014 can be found at www.TSFcensus.org.
4. The Solar Foundation. (2010). National Solar Jobs Census 2010.
5. The residential, non-residential, and utility-scale market segments are deined by SEIA based on the offtaker ofthe electricity their systems generate, though they can generally be used interchangeably with small-scale (i.e.single-family household rooftop systems, no more than a handful of kilowatts), medium-scale (i.e. multi-unit,commercial, or government rooftop system), and large-scale (i.e. ground-mounted or very large rooftop systemsranging from several hundred kilowatts to several hundred megawatts in capacity).
6. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
7. In December 2015, Congress extended the ITC for solar technologies through 2021, with gradual reductions inthe credit percentage.
8. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
9. St. John, J. (2015, July 3). Breaking: California Reaches Compromise on Utility Residential Rate Reform.Retrieved January 30, 2016 from http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Breaking-California-Reaches-
Compromise-on-Utility-Residential-Rate-Reform10. St. John, J. (2016, January 28). Breaking: Californias NEM 2.0 Decision Keeps Retail Rate for Rooftop Solar, Adds
Time-of-Use. Retrieved January 30, 2016 from http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Californias-Net-Metering-2.0-Decision-Rooftop-Solar-to-Keep-Retail-Payme
11. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
12. Id.
13. Munsell, M. (2015, June 23). US Community Solar Market to Grow Fivefold in 2015, Top 500 MW in 2020.Retrieved January 30, 2016 from http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/us-community-solar-market-to-grow-ivefold-in-2015-top-500-mw-in-2020
14. Roselund, C. (2015, October 7). California Governor Brown signs 50% renewable portfolio standard into law.Retrieved January 30, 2016 from http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/california-governor-brown-signs-50-renewable-portfolio-standard-into-law_100021447/
15. It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that mayhave since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015.
16. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
17. Id.
18. JobsEQ 2015Q3
19. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by state 2014Annual Averages and Employment status of veterans 18 years and over by state 2014 Annual Averages.Found at: http://www.bls.gov/
20. See, U.S. Department of Energy Solar Ready Vets. Available at: http://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/solar-ready-vets
21. U.S Census Bureau, Geographic Terms and Concepts - Census Divisions and Census Regions. Found at: https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/gtc/gtc_census_divreg.html
22. It is important to note that the legislative debate around the impending expiration of the ITC was in full swingduring the time of the survey, likely affecting the prioritization of policies from the perspective of employers andpotentially depressing response rates for deployment-focused policies, such as utility rebates and net metering.
COPYRIGHT NOTICEUnless otherwise noted, all design, text, graphics, and the selection and arrangement thereof are Copyright February 2016 by The Solar Foundationand BW Research Partnership. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Any use of materials in this report, including reproduction, modiication, distribution, orrepublication, without the prior written consent of The Solar Foundation and BW Research Partnership, is strictly prohibited.
For questions about this report, please contact Andrea Luecke at The Solar Foundation, [email protected].
The Solar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonproit and relies on public support. To learn more about supporting The Solar Foundations work, go towww.TheSolarFoundation.org/donate/
http://www.tsfcensus.org/http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Breaking-California-Reaches-Compromise-on-Utility-Residential-Rate-Reformhttp://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Breaking-California-Reaches-Compromise-on-Utility-Residential-Rate-Reformhttp://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Californias-Net-Metering-2.0-Decision-Rooftop-Solar-to-Keep-Retail-Paymehttp://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Californias-Net-Metering-2.0-Decision-Rooftop-Solar-to-Keep-Retail-Paymehttp://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/us-community-solar-market-to-grow-fivefold-in-2015-top-500-mw-in-2020http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/us-community-solar-market-to-grow-fivefold-in-2015-top-500-mw-in-2020http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/california-governor-brown-signs-50-renewable-portfolio-standard-into-law_100021447/http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/california-governor-brown-signs-50-renewable-portfolio-standard-into-law_100021447/http://www.bls.gov/http://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/solar-ready-vetshttp://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/solar-ready-vetshttps://www.census.gov/geo/reference/gtc/gtc_census_divreg.htmlhttps://www.census.gov/geo/reference/gtc/gtc_census_divreg.htmlmailto:[email protected]://www.thesolarfoundation.org/donate/http://www.thesolarfoundation.org/donate/mailto:[email protected]://www.census.gov/geo/reference/gtc/gtc_census_divreg.htmlhttps://www.census.gov/geo/reference/gtc/gtc_census_divreg.htmlhttp://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/solar-ready-vetshttp://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/solar-ready-vetshttp://www.bls.gov/http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/california-governor-brown-signs-50-renewable-portfolio-standard-into-law_100021447/http://www.pv-magazine.com/news/details/beitrag/california-governor-brown-signs-50-renewable-portfolio-standard-into-law_100021447/http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/us-community-solar-market-to-grow-fivefold-in-2015-top-500-mw-in-2020http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/us-community-solar-market-to-grow-fivefold-in-2015-top-500-mw-in-2020http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Californias-Net-Metering-2.0-Decision-Rooftop-Solar-to-Keep-Retail-Paymehttp://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Californias-Net-Metering-2.0-Decision-Rooftop-Solar-to-Keep-Retail-Paymehttp://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Breaking-California-Reaches-Compromise-on-Utility-Residential-Rate-Reformhttp://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/Breaking-California-Reaches-Compromise-on-Utility-Residential-Rate-Reformhttp://www.tsfcensus.org/7/25/2019 California Solar Jobs Census 2015
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