Highlights of the National Solar Jobs Census
This reference is to the 15th annual jobs census report issued by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). The report was completed in November or 2025 and released in early 2026. Over 80% of new electrical generation capacity added in the previous year was provided by solar energy systems. The report shows over 280,000 direct […]
Inflation’s effect on the solar industry
Inflation’s effect on the solar industry. It is our nature to compete with each other, just as it is with every other species on earth. It is how we adapt and survive. I am not an economist so I am not going deep here. Although I will say that predicting the future economy is a […]
Are Micro-Grids the future of electrical grids?
Are Micro-Grids the future of electrical grids? Micro-grids are similar to the existing electrical grid but with better redundancy. A micro-grid can be a simple stand-alone or stand-by energy system with its own fuel source such as a solar PV system with a battery bank. A micro-grid can also be a group of smaller systems […]
Job growth in the solar industry’s past, present and future.
Job growth in the solar industry’s past, present and future. The solar electric industry has been around since the mid-1950s but didn’t really start to grow until the early 1970s with off-grid systems in remote locations throughout the U.S.A. and a few other nations. Solar thermal systems were the better energy value at that time […]
Two best reasons to own a solar-electric PV system
Two best reasons to own a solar-electric PV system Independence and self-sufficiency: There is no greater feeling for an American than having control over that which is necessary to survive. Owning a self-generating energy source provides controlled energy, the greatest necessity for survival. Every other necessity depends on this one thing, energy. Stabilizing future change: […]
Why Solar Energy is the Best Energy Solution
Why Solar Energy is the Best Energy Solution The number one reason solar energy is the best energy is that it comes to us from our sun free of charge every day. The second reason is that it is now financially competitive with all other energy sources. It also has the greatest potential to […]
Solar PV Safety on Rooftops. AC vs. DC
Solar PV Safety on Rooftops. AC vs. DC Two very important safety concerns with electricity are open-arcs and short-circuits. An open-arc is when a conductor (electrical wire) is cut, but the voltage is able to jump across the gap to complete the circuit and create a very high temperature arc and this is a fire […]
A Better Name for Distributed Generation
For an introduction to solar electric energy systems see our PV201 online course. Words and names are important and powerful, especially for solar technical terms such as Distributed Generation. The term “distributed generation” in the solar industry means an energy generation system located and generating energy where the energy is also consumed. However, the term […]
Are jobs in the solar industry challenging and rewarding?
I have worked in the solar industry for 30 years and I have enjoyed almost ever occupation it has to offer. I started out as an electrical contractor offering solar as an electrical service; my occupations were sales, design, installation and maintenance. It was more fun than I’ve ever had working in any other field. […]
Why does solar energy face opposition?
It is the most abundant continuous energy source on earth and it is free. It does take some work and investment to harness the energy and convert it to a usable form; however, it is getting easier and cheaper to do every year. It is now cheaper than most other energy sources and will be […]