Energy Policy

Massachusetts solar groups say policy changes needed to stem job loss

Energy News Network: Massachusetts solar organizations fear a double-digit jobs slip will lead to a permanent employment slide for their industry if state legislators and agencies don’t tweak policies they say are not friendly to renewable energy.

Six industry and advocacy groups sent a letter to Republican Gov. Charlie Baker earlier this month spelling out how he can intervene to back the commonwealth’s 488 solar employers and 11,530 full-time workers.

In 2017, the industry shed 3,053 of close to 15,000 jobs in the Bay State. It amounts to a 21 percent dip, according to a report by the non-profit Solar Foundation. That came on the heels of 513 job cuts—a 3 percent drop—in 2016. Still, Massachusetts ranks second to California in total solar jobs.

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