By Jenny Whidden | Daily Herald – June 23, 2022
With Illinois looking ahead to its goal of 100% renewable energy by 2050, organizations are working to secure a workforce that is ready to install and maintain clean energy infrastructure, including solar arrays.
The passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act last fall essentially pushed up Illinois’ previous goal of 25% renewable energy by 2025, setting a more ambitious target of 40% by 2030. With the state generating just 11% renewable electricity as of 2020, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, stakeholders say they are preparing to train a new generation of energy workers to respond to the lofty legislation.
“Given the significant amount of clean energy opportunities in the state, we certainly are going to need an expanded workforce,” said Lesley McCain, executive director of the Illinois Solar Energy Association. “The solar industry is open for business. We are hiring.”
Solar energy most recently accounted for 0.93% of the state’s electricity, creating about 5,200 jobs, according to the Solar Energies Industries Association.
One organization that is looking to ramp up workforce training in the solar space is the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council, the state’s largest carpenters union.
The union’s four-year apprentice program provides solar panel installation training to its apprentices and collaborates with contractors to build solar projects throughout the state.