"A new report on the state of the solar industry out Tuesday from the nonprofit Solar Foundation shows that the number of jobs in the United States in the solar industry outpaced those in the oil and gas industries for the first time ever," according to an article by Shane Ferro on Huffington Business.
In part, this is due to the bottom falling out of the barrel of oil prices, sliding from $100 in spring 2014 to $30 a barrel in recent weeks, causing layoffs. But it also represents rapid growth in the solar industry as the technology becomes cheaper and number of home installations are rapidly rising.
While this transition to renewable energy is great for the environment, we're not quite there yet in being better for the overall economy. For example, renewable energy jobs overall pay less than oil/gas industry jobs. But it's getting close enough to show that we will get there, and maybe soon.
Ralph
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