Page 16 - North American Clean Energy May June 2015

solar energy

Left. Professionals attending a workshop for CE credits

Above. Getting connected at an industry event

Driving North American Solar Market Penetration

New jobs, policies and technologies shine light

on a maturing industry
by Markus Els̈sser

THE SKY’S THE LIMIT FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN SOLAR MARKET. According to Greentech technologies, inancing models, and employment opportunities responsible for this
Media (GTM) research, the U.S. installed 6,201 MW of solar PV in 2014, up 30 percent growth is essential for industry professionals to maintain rapid deployment rates.
over 2013, making 2014 the largest year ever in terms of PV installations. In the last year,

the residential and utility-scale PV sectors were responsible for a signiicant boost in U.S. Supporting the North American market with solar jobs
solar capacity. For the irst time ever, more than half of residential solar installations came he growth of installed PV capacity in North America is relected in the tremendous
online without state incentives. he utility-scale PV sector installed 1.5 GW in Q4, the growth of solar jobs. In 2014, the U.S. solar industry alone accounted for nearly 174,000
largest quarterly total ever for any market segment. In Mexico, distributed solar projects jobs, according to a recent report from the Solar Foundation. he number of solar jobs

capitalized on the country’s renewable energy goals and ample sunshine. Canada’s solar has increased 86% over the last ive years at a rate almost 20 times the job growth in the
industry continued to grow steadily with a strong industry base in Ontario. It’s clear the overall economy. California, the heart of the U.S. solar industry, accounts for one-third
North American market is a leader in global solar growth. Understanding the new policies,
of the solar jobs available in the U.S. today and approximately 7,500 of the new solar jobs
added in 2014. he California Solar En-

ergy Industries Association (CALSEIA),
Powerful, Lightweight, Flexible reported that California employs more
solar workers than the state’s ive largest

Solar Panels
utilities put together, (Paciic Gas and
Electric Company, Southern California
Edison, Los Angeles Department of Water
and Power, San Diego Gas & Electric, and

Install high-performance solar even in extreme, high wind Sacramento Municipal Utility District)
and seismic zones and on a wide variety of rooing systems, making California the epicenter of the
including:
solar industry in the U.S.
MiaSoĺ FLEX Series
To secure a job in the North American
High Eiciency - +15.5% ◆ Membrane Roof Systems ◆ Carports
◆ ◆ solar industry, interested professionals
Lightweight - < 1 lb./sq. t.
Steep-slope Metal Roofs
Low Live-load structures
must meet speciic educational require-
ments and obtain industry certiications.
Contractor Advantages:
For example, organizations like the North
• Simple Peel-and-Sick Applicaion
• Low Learning Curve
American Board of Certiied Energy Prac-
titioners (NABCEP), the most widely rec-
• Lowest Labor Cost
ognized certiication provider in the U.S.,
• Fastest Installaion
ofer standard training courses teaching
• No Racks – No Ballast – No Penetraions
• Best Rootop Logisics and Deployment best practices in solar installation. Contin-
uing education (CE) credits can be earned
For
• 25 Year Power and Adhesion Warranty
through industry workshops and techni-
pricing and
cal product trainings hosted by companies
product details:
working in co-operation with NABCEP.
[email protected]
www.miasole.com
Financing models, tax
credits, and policies
MiaSoĺ: Rooftop Solar Made Simple
impacting North America
he investment tax credit (ITC) is a
www.miasole.com
core supportive solar policy in the U.S.

16 nacleanenergy.com
MAY/JUNE 2015