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National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future
Solar Installer Labor Market Analysis: Na5onal Renewable Energy Lab
Clean Energy Workforce Conference 2011 Saratoga Springs, NY March 9, 2011
Philip Jordan, Green LMI Consul5ng
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future
What is the Solar LMA?
Report on current and projected solar installation workforce needs
Designed to be representative nationally and regionally to inform the Solar Instructor Training Network
Authored by Barry Friedman, NREL, and Philip Jordan, Green LMI Consulting
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future
Solar Instructor Training Network
– Sponsors professional development of local instructors
– Enables capacity building of local educational institutions
– Develops materials, tools and resources
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National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future Slide 4
REGIONS: Northeast Northern Mid-Atlantic Southern Mid-Atlantic Southeast Midwest South-Central Rocky Mountain California/Hawaii
Providers
Partnership
Hudson Valley Community College
Kennebec Valley Community College
Pennsylvania State University
North Carolina Solar Center at NCSU
Florida Solar Energy Center at UCF
Midwest Renewable Energy Associa5on
The Energy Ins5tute at HCC -‐ Northeast
Salt Lake Community College; Solar Energy
Interna5onal; Utah Solar Energy Associa5on
California Community Colleges Board of Governors, California Energy Commission, California
Centers for Sustainable Energy, the Labor Management Coopera5on
CommiVee
Solar Instructor Training Network 8 REGIONS, 9 REGIONAL RESOURCE AND TRAINING PROVIDERS
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future
What are the Goals?
Primary – To inform the SITN on national and regional trends to ensure that the training matches employers’ needs
Secondary – To inform the general public on current and future trends in the solar installation sector
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future
• U.S. installers currently employ approximately 44,000 solar workers and expect to add about 9,900 more over the coming 12-month period, from August 2010 to August 2011
• 56% of firms expect more employees in 12 months, and less than 3% expect fewer.
• Installation companies expect more than 18% employment growth overall in the next 12 months, and 22% growth in those employees who spend at least 50% of their time on solar.
More 55.6%
Same number 32.4%
Less 2.8%
Don't know/ refused
9.3%
Report Highlights – Solar Installation Firms are Growing
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future
Report Highlights – Occupational Growth
• Solar water heating installers and technicians: 31%.
• Photovoltaics (PV) Installers: 55%.
• Solar sales: 42%.
• Site assessors: 36%.
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4) (5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(11)
25%
35%
45%
55%
65%
45% 55% 65%
12-m
onth
Gro
wth
Difficulty Hiring (1) Solar water or pool heating installers or technicians (2) Solar photovoltaic installers or technicians (3) Sales representatives or estimators (4) Solar designers or engineers (5) Solar installation managers or project foremen (6) HVAC technicians with specific skills in solar installations (7) Energy auditors
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future
• ½ of firms reported difficulty in finding qualified entry-level candidates (59% reported difficulty finding non-entry-level employees)
• Firms reported significant difficulty finding qualified applicants across all installation occupations
• Companies are looking for experience with customer service, construction, and electrical projects
Report Highlights – Employer Needs and Preferences
9%
9%
16%
21%
33%
33%
36%
38%
54%
52%
43%
35%
5%
7%
6%
6%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Providing training opportunities so current employees are able to
advance within the organization
Retaining valuable employees who could be hired by
competitors
Recruiting entry-level employees with appropriate
training and education
Recruiting non-entry level employees with adequate
skills and work experience
Great difficulty Some difficulty No difficulty Don't know/ refused
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future
• Firms show overwhelming preference for informal OTJ training
• Over half use customized or existing training programs for their employees
Report Highlights – Employer Needs and Preferences
2.8%
3.2%
10.6%
38.5%
51.0%
56.7%
82.0%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Don't know/refused
Other
A union apprenticeship program
Courses at a local training or education provider, such as a
community college
Customized training for your employees
Courses taught through an industry-specific association or
group
Informal, on the job training
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future
Report Highlights – PV on left; Thermal on right
8%
26.9%
22.5%
20.9%
26.6%
51.3%
39.7%
58.5%
47.6%
58.2%
57.6%
60.9%
48.7%
29.6%
20.2%
36.9%
41.6%
39.5%
19.3%
40.3%
27.7%
40.7%
30.3%
34.3%
31.0%
43.5%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Associate Degree specific to the position
A state licensed solar installer
Ability to develop CAD drawings
Passed the NABCEP Solar PV Entry-Level Exam
NABCEP Solar PV Installer Certification
A state licensed electrician
Knowledge of site assessment technology
Knowledge of Article 690 NEC
Field experience on solar installations
Customer service skills that simplify the solar installation
process
General understanding of the mechanics & engineering of solar
power
Electricians' skills and/or experience
General construction experience
Very important Somewhat important
5%
10%
14.5%
15.4%
24.5%
34.7%
44.5%
46.1%
49.1%
51.5%
65.3%
27.8%
25.2%
29.4%
31.1%
18.1%
40.2%
35.2%
39.4%
41.2%
37.6%
26.6%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
Associate Degree specific to the position
Ability to develop CAD
Plumbing certification not specific to solar
NABCEP Solar Thermal Installer Certification
A state licensed plumber
Knowledge of site assessment technology
Plumbing skills and/or experience
Field experience on solar installations
General construction experience
General understanding of the mechanics & engineering of solar
power
Customer service skills
Very important Somewhat important
National Renewable Energy Laboratory Innovation for Our Energy Future
Questions?
Philip Jordan Green LMI Consulting, Inc. (617) 395-8898 [email protected] http://GreenLMI.com
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