California lost nearly 10,000 solar plant jobs in 2018

Category: News
Published: 2019-02-18

CALIFORNIA – California’s solar industry shed nearly 10,000 jobs last year over uncertainty about the Trump administration’s tariffs on imported solar panels and state policy changes, a new report reveals.

The tariffs were set in January 2018, beginning at 30% with a 5% point reduction each year through 2022. But the uncertainty that surrounded the taxes before they were imposed led to project delays — particularly for large, utility-scale installations, according to The Solar Foundation’s National Solar Jobs Census.

Non-residential installers also faced uncertainties over California’s rate structures, which further undermined the industry. Added solar capacity fell drastically during the second quarter of 2018, the report said.

Source: Ocregister.com