Complete the Survey for the Solar Jobs Census
If you work for a solar company or another energy industry company, we invite you to complete this confidential survey from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Your response will help inform an upcoming DOE report about the energy workforce, along with IREC’s next National Solar Jobs Census.
The DOE is surveying the energy, energy efficiency, and motor vehicle business sectors to provide policy makers, business leaders, and energy stakeholders with key information about these critical sectors of our economy. This confidential, voluntary survey will take between 15 and 30 minutes of your time.
Your feedback is essential to support IREC’s 12th annual National Solar Jobs Census, the authoritative report on job growth, demographics, and workforce development in the U.S. solar and storage industry. Solar businesses, policymakers, researchers, and nonprofits all rely on the Solar Jobs Census as a guide to the current state of the industry and a roadmap for future growth.
DOE has engaged an independent research firm, BW Research Partnership, to conduct an employer survey to better understand the strengths, weaknesses, barriers, opportunities, and needs from the energy sector.
Your individual responses will remain strictly confidential and anonymous.
National Solar Jobs Census 2021
The U.S. solar industry employs 255,037 workers as of 2021, according to the 12th annual National Solar Jobs Census.
This annual report tracks solar jobs data nationwide and in all 50 states. It features in-depth analysis on jobs by market segment, demographics, and workforce development trends.
The National Solar Jobs Census was first published in 2010 by The Solar Foundation, which has now merged with IREC. Download the full report below, along with a supplementary spreadsheet on the data behind the report.
Fact Sheets
Key Findings
Over 250,000 Solar Workers
This represents an increase of 9.2%, or 21,563 more jobs compared to 2020.
Solar Jobs Up in 47 States
Nearly every state saw job growth in 2021, driven by growth in consumer, business, and utility demand.
Installation Firms Lead Growth
Over the past decade, the most significant has been in the installation and project development sector, which has more than tripled the number of jobs since 2011.
A Path to Career Advancement
Less than one-third of solar industry jobs require a bachelor’s degree, but positions are also available in advanced fields.
By the Numbers
255,037
Solar Workers in 2021
21,563
Jobs Added, 2020-2021
168,960
Jobs at Solar Installation Firms, 2021
Solar Jobs By State
The National Solar Jobs Census has tracked job growth in all 50 states since 2015. Below is a map of solar jobs in each state and the District of Columbia. Puerto Rico has 1,985 solar jobs as of 2021.
Thanks to Our Sponsors
We thank the following organizations for sponsoring the National Solar Jobs Census 2021, along with media sponsor Solar Power World.
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