According to a recent report from the Community Foundation for the Alleghanies that was conducted by energy analysis firm Black & Veatch, the burgeoning solar energy market could add 48,000 jobs to the state of Pennsylvania while also replacing jobs that would be cut from the fossil fuel sector.
Additionally, the study found that resources within the state could "easily" produce at least 18 percent of the state's energy needs.
"Given the conservative nature of these assumptions, it is not difficult to project that we could see both more jobs and better economic impacts," added Mike Kane, the executive director of the CFA.
Carrie Cullen Hill, the president of the Solar Alliance, said that the solar energy market in the state would continue to see its average rates fall for projects due to a number of House and Senate bills that intend to drop costs and improve employment.
If the bills are passed, the state’s Alternative Energy Portfolio Standard would increase the amount of solar sources and clean energy requirements from 8 to 15 percent by 2026.
