According to a new US DOE Issue Brief and an upcoming NREL analysis, “…to reach a largely decarbonized
grid by 2035, solar deployment would need to accelerate to three to four times faster than its current
rate by 2030.”

It goes on to say that according to the NREL analysis: “The challenge is that solar job growth will quickly outpace the labor supply, requiring investments to expand the talent pipeline by increasing access to training opportunities from workforce
development stakeholders, such as labor unions, community colleges, non-profits, and other training providers.”

Despite the pandemic, the US saw 20 GWdc added in 2020, the most ever. While solar is not the only emerging technology that is needed for the clean energy future – other sources include onshore and offshore wind power, keeping existing nuclear operational and potentially adding new nuclear, and even carbon capture – it’s future is bright indeed, no pun intended.

Solar companies will need to improve their understanding of how utility distribution works, and the considerations and requirements that solar installations will need to meet to interconnect with utility distribution. Companies like HeatSpring are helping educate and train the clean energy workforce required by 2035.