The utility-scale solar sector, once a thriving job market, is now experiencing significant setbacks. A recent article highlights the closure of Blue Ridge Power and its impact on the overall clean energy job growth in the U. S.
• Blue Ridge Power, a solar construction firm, has announced the layoff of over 500 workers in North Carolina due to market difficulties, reflecting larger trends in the clean energy industry.
• The rooftop solar sector is largely in decline, and utility-scale solar projects are also facing challenges. Issues include increasing local opposition and upcoming changes to solar subsidies.
• Key government incentives, like the Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and the Production Tax Credit (PTC), are set to expire soon, raising concerns about project viability if not initiated by specific deadlines.
• Since early 2025, over $22 billion worth of clean energy projects have been canceled, potentially affecting over 800,000 jobs, largely influenced by policy shifts from the previous administration.
• The clean energy workforce stands at approximately 3.56 million, with a notable decrease in job creation from 2023 to 2024, highlighting a decline in growth in this once-promising sector.
The struggles in the utility-scale solar industry reflect broader economic risks. The clean energy sector's past reliance on government incentives raises further questions about its future sustainability and job security.
https://www.masterresource.org/solar-power-issues/grim-news-solar-blue-ridge/
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