Report: Arizona ranks 3rd in solar job creation

Oct 19 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - The Sun, Yuma, Ariz

Arizona has produced more than 4,700 solar jobs, including 400 from the Agua Caliente Solar Project, and ranks third nationally in solar job creation, according to the Solar Foundation's National Solar Jobs Census 2011.

"Arizona continues its ascension as a national and global leader in the solar industry," said Gov. Jan Brewer. "This report is further evidence that Arizona is on the right track when it comes to fostering job growth in the solar industry."

Since 2010, nine renewable energy companies have located or expanded operations in the state and have been responsible for creating more than 2,100 jobs and investing over $1 billion in capital.

"Arizona is the most exciting place in the world when it comes to attracting solar companies," said Arizona Commerce Authority president and CEO Don Cardon. "Our strategy is to bring industries of the future to Arizona -- and the renewable-energy industry is just that."

Over the past year, solar jobs nationally increased at nearly ten times the job growth rate of the rest of the economy.

As of August 2011, the U.S. solar industry employed an estimated 100,237 workers -- up nearly 7 percent from a year earlier.

Strong industry growth is forecast again in 2012, with solar jobs increasing by nearly one-quarter nationally, to almost 124,000 jobs.