The Solar Industry Is Heating Up in Rhode Island

Now is a better time than ever to join the growing solar industry in Rhode Island. Rhode Island is one of the more progressive states when it comes to solar: the Ocean State has more than 50 MW of installed capacity, which is enough to power approximately 9,500 homes each year! Solar-friendly state legislation has helped foster the industry growth—making the solar industry in Rhode Island a promising career choice.

What measures help solar shine bright in the Ocean State, and how can you get involved in this thriving industry?

A major factor behind the solar industry’s growth in Rhode Island is the direct support from local government. In 2017, Governor Raimondo set the ambitious goal to achieve a total of 1,000 MW of clean energy projects by 2020. This goal aligns with the state’s continued efforts to support clean energy and growth of the associated job sector. The state has already shown great progress: the Rhode Island 2017 Clean Energy Industry Report reveals that solar firms alone grew employment by 16 percent from 2016 to 2017. This progress mirrors national trends, where the solar industry has also grown exponentially. With one out of every 50 new jobs being created by the solar industry in 2016, the industry added workers almost 17 times as quickly as the U.S. economy that year. Adding to the industry’s appeal is the fact that there are positions available in many trades – such as engineering, installation, sales, and marketing; in addition, the clean energy economy offers median wages that are 13% higher than the overall U.S. economy average.

So how can you be a part of this growing industry?

To ensure career longevity in solar, it is vital to possess a niche set of knowledge, skills and abilities. A great way to get a step up in the industry is by earning your NABCEP (North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners) PV Technical Sales Certification. Credible within the industry, this voluntary certification can help distinguish oneself from competitors. To be eligible for certification, candidates must have experience in the field selling PV systems, a specified level of training, and an OSHA 10-hour construction card.

To help meet the second requirement, the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources and Real Jobs Rhode Island are offering an exclusive 32-hour course instructed by industry specialists during the final week of June 2018. Those who are interested in taking the next step in their solar career, or who are looking to enter the field with a competitive edge, are all encouraged to participate. But don’t wait – each course has spots for only 40 registrants!

The solar industry is thriving in Rhode Island – will you join the state in growing its clean energy economy?