Both are ready to see more solar in the Empire State.
When Bill O’Reilly recently declared that he’d go solar except that “there’s nowhere, no one” to install solar on his Long Island residence, we called upon our friends in the solar industry to let him know they were there to help.
With hundreds of solar companies operating in New York, we easily garnered the support of 16 companies and 2 trade associations representing dozens more to let Mr. O’Reilly know they are ready for his solar business. Lo and behold, with a little help from the New York solar industry, Mr. O’Reilly found a “legitimate guy” who’s ready and able to get to work installing that new solar energy system. We know a few more . . .
Just this week, our New York Solar Jobs Act (“like” it) coalition welcomed the support of labor and trade organizations representing tens of thousands of workers eager to build New York’s solar infrastructure.
Along with the hundreds of solar companies in New York, skilled labor and trades will be a vital component of a vibrant and long-term solar market. With unemployment numbers remaining high, the Solar Jobs Act would create and sustain thousands of well paying jobs in these hard-hit sectors.
Creating more jobs per dollar of investment than conventional energy industries, investing in solar power is an investment in both New York’s future and New York’s historic workforce. In fact, 14 new jobs would be created for every million dollars invested in clean, renewable solar energy (see here, page 29), three times more created than the oil and natural gas industries for the same level of investment.
And while we’re eager to hear back from Mr. O’Reilly about his decision to go solar, we are even more enthusiastic about the entire state of New York embracing the promise of reliable solar energy for years to come. This is what the New York Solar Jobs Act means.