(Reuters) – U.S. solar industry jobs reached a record high last year, with a 6% increase to nearly 280,000, as reported in the latest National Solar Jobs Census by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.

Discover why this matters:

The surge in solar-generated electricity is a significant trend in the U.S. energy sector, driven by the growing demand from businesses and governments to shift towards cleaner energy sources in the fight against climate change.

Notably, this sector plays a crucial role in President Joe Biden’s commitment to creating millions of quality jobs through the transition to carbon-free energy sources.

Key statistics to know: U.S. solar jobs grew by 5.9% to 279,447 by the end of 2023. The utility-scale segment saw an addition of 1,888 jobs, totaling 29,708. Residential installation jobs increased by 6.3% to reach 100,815, although the growth rate slowed compared to the previous year due to factors like high interest rates and reduced incentives in California. Manufacturing jobs remained steady at 33,273, with companies focusing on improving labor efficiency in component production.

What’s on the horizon:

The analysis suggests that solar job numbers in 2024 may remain relatively unchanged from the previous year. Challenges such as a decline in residential installations and issues faced by utility-scale projects, like delays in grid connections and a shortage of skilled labor, could impact the industry’s growth.

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