The solar industry is booming, and it’s looking for workers. The industry is expected to provide 100,000 new jobs in the United States alone by 2025. But some entrepreneurs are warning that the industry could migrate to the U.S. if the government doesn’t do more to support it.
“The U.S. is at a crossroads,” said John Doerr, a venture capitalist who has invested in several solar companies. “We can either lead the global clean energy revolution or watch as our jobs and economy go to other countries.”
Doerr and other entrepreneurs are calling on the government to support the solar industry more. They want the government to invest in research and development, provide tax breaks, and create a more favorable regulatory environment.
The solar industry is already facing challenges from foreign competition. China is the world’s leading producer of solar panels, and it’s often able to produce them at a lower cost than U.S. companies.
“If we don’t act soon, we could lose our competitive edge in the solar industry,” said Doerr. “And that would be a huge loss for our economy.”
The government has taken some steps to support the solar industry. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, included $15 billion in funding for clean energy. And in 2015, the Obama Administration announced a new goal of installing 30 gigawatts of solar power by 2030.
But some entrepreneurs say that’s not enough. They want the government to do more to support the industry, and they’re urging Congress to pass legislation that would provide tax breaks and create a more favorable regulatory environment.
“The future of the solar industry is bright,” said Doerr. “But only if we act now.”
