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2015
MICHIGANSOLAR JOBSCENSUS
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ABOUT THE SOLAR FOUNDATION
The Solar Foundation (TSF) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonproit
organization whose mission is to increase understanding of solar energythrough strategic research and education that transforms markets. TSF isconsidered the premier research organization on the solar labor workforce,employer trends, and the economic impacts of solar. It has providedexpert advice to leading organizations such as the National Academies, theInter-American Development Bank, the U.S. Department of Energy, andothers during a time of dynamic industry growth and policy and economicuncertainty.
While TSF recognizes that solar energy is a key part of our energy future,it is committed to excellence in its aim to help people fairly and objectivelygauge the value and importance of solar technologies.
ABOUT BW RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP
BW Research is widely regarded as the national leader in labor market
research for emerging industries and clean energy technologies. Inaddition to the Censusseries, BW Research has conducted rigorous solarinstallation and wind industry labor market analysis for the NationalRenewable Energy Laboratory, wind energy and energy retroit studies for
the Natural Resources Defense Council, a series of comprehensive cleanenergy workforce studies for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Illinois,Vermont, Florida, Pennsylvania, Iowa, and California, as well as numerousskills and gap analyses for community colleges, workforce investmentboards, state agencies, and nonproit organizations.
ABOUT MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
Michigan State University has been working to advance the common goodin uncommon ways for more than 150 years. One of the top researchuniversities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery andforges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challengeswhile providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusiveacademic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17degree-granting colleges. The College of Engineering is one of the largestand oldest colleges on the MSU campus, with nine academic programs andnearly 200 faculty members serving more than 5,600 students through
undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The college supports astrong research portfolio including a range of federally funded researchcenters and international collaborations such as: the Fraunhofer Centerfor Coatings and Laser Applications; the Michigan State UniversityTransportation Center on Highway Pavement Preservation; and the VehicleApplications component of the U.S. Department of Energy Institute forAdvanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (IACMI).
COVER IMAGE COURTESY OF PHOTO BY NREL LELAND, MI
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Solar Foundation (TSF) is a national 501(c)(3) nonproit organization whose mission is to
increase understanding of solar energy throughstrategic research and education that transformmarkets. In 2010, TSF conducted its irstNational
Solar Jobs Census report, establishing the irst
credible solar jobs baseline and verifying thatthe solar industry is having a positive impacton the U.S. economy. Using the same rigorous,peer-reviewed methodology, TSF has conducted
an annual Census in each of the last six years totrack changes and analyze trends.
This Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015report isan offshoot of TSFs National Solar Jobs Census
2015 effort. Research partners for the Census2015 effort include Michigan State Universityfor providing editorial guidance and peerreview, the George Washington UniversitySolar Institute for providing assistance andsupport in reviewing and validating report
results and analysis; the Solar Energy Industries
Association (SEIA) for use of its National SolarDatabase and peer review; and GTM Research/SEIA for providing survey respondents with theU.S. Solar Market Insight: 2014 YIR report.
Sponsors of this years Census effort include:Energy Foundation, William and Flora HewlettFoundation, Tilia Fund, George WashingtonUniversity Solar Institute, SEIA, Recurrent,SolarCity, First Solar, Sol Systems, E.ON,Trina Solar, State of Minnesota Departmentof Commerce, State of New Mexico EnergyMinerals and Natural Resources Department,Utah Governors Ofice of Energy Development,
sPower, Standard Solar, CALSEIA, All EarthRenewables, and groSolar.
Finally, we want to thank all the Michiganemployers that participated in the survey. Yourresponses were critical in providing us withaccurate and timely data.
Andrea LueckePresident and Executive DirectorThe Solar Foundation202-469-3750; [email protected]
Philip JordanPrincipal and Vice PresidentBW Research Partnership508-384-2471; [email protected] www.bwresearch.com
For questions or comments about this report, please contact either:
Please cite this publication when referencing this material as Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015,The Solar Foundation, available at: www.tsfcensus.organd www.solarstates.org
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1Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
INTRODUCTION
The U.S. solar industry experiencedyet another record-breaking year
in 2015, with more than 7,400
megawatts (MW) of domestic
photovoltaic (PV) capacity expected
to have been installed an 18.5%
increase over the amount installed
in 2014 bringing total U.S. solar
capacity to nearly 27.5 gigawatts
(GW).1
As the rate of capacity installation hasaccelerated, employers across the country have
continued to expand the size of their payrolls.This years sixth annual National Solar Jobs
Census found that the U.S. solar industry
employed 208,859 workers as of November
2015, an addition of 35,052 jobs, and a 20.2%
increase in employment over November
2014. Since The Solar Foundation begantracking these numbers in 2010, employment inthe industry has more than doubled, growing by123% and adding over 115,000 jobs. Employersnationwide expect this growth trend to continue
through 2016, projecting to add nearly 31,000jobs to the solar workforce over the course ofthe year.
Capacity Data Source: SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
93,502105,145
119,016
142,698
173,807
208,859
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
0
50,000
100,000
150,000
200,000
250,000
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015E
AddedCapacity(MW)
SolarJobs
U.S. PV Capacity Additions & Solar Jobs, 2010 - 2015E
PV Capacity Additions Solar Jobs
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2Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
While annual installed capacity at the nationallevel has been growing since 2010, the solarindustry in the state of Michigan has only recentlybegun to share in this trend, with capacityadditions shrinking from 2011 to 2013, before
beginning to climb againthrough 2014 and 2015.This return to growth isalso relected in the size of
the local solar workforce.As of November 2015, theMichigan solar industryemploys 2,779 workers at1,144 establishments, representing a positivereversal for an industry that experienced steady
contraction in the size of its workforce accordingto estimates from 2012 to 2014.2
As of September, approximately 3.5 MW ofsolar capacity had been installed in Michiganduring 2015, already surpassing the totalcapacity installed the previous year and nearlydoubling that installed in 2013, bringingcumulative installed capacity in the state nearthe 20 MW mark a milestone that will havelikely been reached by the end of the year.3The
residential market segment accounted for thegreatest portion of capacity added during theyear, continuing a trend of consistent growthfollowing a signiicant reduction in installed
capacity by the segment from 2011 to 2012.4 Bythe end of 2015, industry experts anticipate theyears residential capacity additions alone toequal the total amount of solar installed in thestate throughout 2014. This year also witnessedthe states irst utility-scale solar development,
with a 1.1 MW installation just outside of Ann
Arbor currently laying claim to the title ofMichigans largest.5
Industry projections for 2016 show capacityadditions in Michigan will increase dramaticallyover 2015, potentially doubling the statescurrently installed total capacity over the courseof the year.6While both the residential and non-residential market segments are expected to add
more respective capacity than in 2015, the lionsshare of capacity scheduled to be brought onlineby the end of the year will likely come in fromutility-scale arrays. This represents a suddenand seismic shift in the focus of the Michigan
solar industrytoward larger,more centralizedprojects. Interestingly,Michigans two primaryi n v e s t o r - o w n e dutilities have alreadylargely achieved their
obligations under the states renewable portfoliostandard, meaning the explosive growth
projected for 2016 can potentially be attributedto both the increasingly favorable economics ofsolar and continually strengthening customerdemand the latter of which was madeparticularly apparent by the highly anticipatedintroduction of the states irst community solar
programs in 2015.7
While it is likely that a portion of Michiganssolar job growth in 2015 is tied to 2016scapacity additions, the industry still expects
to add nearly 400 jobs in 2016, expandingits workforce by more than 14% over the
course of the year.8
As of November 2015, the
Michigan solar industry
employs 2,779 workers at
1,144 establishments
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3Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015E
AddedCapacity(MW)
Michigan Solar Capacity Additions, 2011 - 2015E
Residential Non-Residential Utility
ABOUT THE MICHIGAN SOLAR JOBS CENSUS 2015
Source: SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
This report includes information about all typesof Michigan companies engaged in the analysis,research and development, production, sales,installation, and use of all solar technologies ranging from solar photovoltaics (PV), toconcentrating solar power (CSP), to solar waterheating systems for the residential, commercial,industrial, and utility market segments.
The indings presented herein are based on
rigorous survey efforts throughout the monthsof September, October, and November 2015 thatinclude telephone calls and emails to known andpotential solar establishments across Michigan.Unlike economic impact models that generateemployment estimates based on economicdata or jobs-per-megawatt (or jobs-per-dollar)assumptions, The Solar Foundations Solar Jobs
Census series provides statistically valid andcurrent data gathered from actual employers.This analysis also purposefully avoids artiicially
inlating its results with questionable multiplier
effects often found in analyses of otherindustries.
The number of establishments included in thisreport include all businesses that conduct anysolar activity. This includes many businesses
that play a very small part in a solar project,or provide inancing, legal services, or other
support services to solar irms. Employment,
however, is only counted for workers that spendat least 50% of their time on solar.
A full explanation of this methodology can befound on page 10 of this report.
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Key Data Points
Projected Solar
Jobs Growth, 2016
397(14.3%)
Capacity Installed in
2015 thru Q3 (MW)10
3.5
MICHIGAN
SOLAR JOBSTotal Solar Jobs, 2015
2,779Cumulative Installed
Capacity thru Q3 2015 (MW)9
17.9Detailed employment and demographic data for Michigans legislative districts, counties, and metropolitan statistical areas
can be found in the appendix of this report and on The Solar Foundations interactive jobs map at www.SolarStates.org.
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5Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
WORKFORCEOVERVIEW
The Michigan solar industry employs 2,779
workers at 1,144 establishments throughout
the state, is ranked 18th nationally in solar
jobs, and 32nd in solar jobs as a share of the
states total employment. Employers expect
to add nearly 400 new solar workers to
payrolls over the course of 2016 a growth
rate of 14.3% while the states workforce
as a whole is projected to grow only 0.4%
during the same period.11
Installation irms employ the vast majority more than 68% of the Michigan solar workforce.Sales and distribution irms, on the other hand,
employ only a small percentage, at less than1%. Interestingly, signiicantly more workers
(37.4%) across all sectors of the states solarindustry work in a management or professionalcapacity than work directly on installing orrepairing solar systems (13.9%) in the state.
This represents a drastic departure from themakeup of the industry nationwide, where only20% of solar workers maintain management orprofessional positions and more than 30% workon installation or repair.
Sales & Distribution Jobs
24
Project Development Jobs
276
Other Jobs
200
Manufacturing Jobs
383
Installation Jobs
1,897
Solar Jobs Census 2015
S
MI S
Wk-
f
U.S. S
Wk-
f
I 68.2% 57.4%
Mf 13.8% 14.5%
S &
Db0.9% 11.7%
Pj
D9.9% 10.8%
Other 7.2% 5.7%
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6Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
PE N C
D Md WU.S. Md W
S I $24.50 $21.00
S S R $31.25 $28.85
S S D $31.25 $26.92
S Ab Wk - $18.00
Potentially related to this relative prevalence ofprofessional positions in the local industry, thestates employers reported greater dificulties
inding suficiently qualiied candidates to ill
openings on their payrolls than solar employ-ers nationwide. The dificulties that Michigan
solar employers face come in spite of the factthat, largely due to the automotive industrys
presence in the state, Michigan boasts the high-est number of engineers per capita in the coun-try.12This is likely a result of the tendency by thestates solar employers and their counterpartsin states comprising the U.S. Census BureausEast North Central Division to prioritize previ-ous solar experience over education during the
hiring process, with 30.9% of new solar posi-tions in the East North Central Division requir-ing at least a bachelors degree, compared to34.9% nationally, and 67.9% of new positionsrequiring previous solar experience, comparedto 67.0% nationally.13
Wages paid by irms in the Michigan solar in-
dustry do not differ in a signiicant way fromthose paid by solar employers across the EastNorth Central Division. Solar installers, salesrepresentatives, and system designers workingin Michigan and its neighboring states are gen-erally paid better than their counterparts in anyother region of the country.
24.2%
22.9%
20.0%
51.7%
50.8%
40.0%
24.2%
26.3%
40.0%
0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%
National
East North Central
Michigan
Difficulty Hiring in Michigan
Not Difficult Somewhat Difficult Very Difficult
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7Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
M
S
Wkf
M O
E14U.S. S
Wkf
W 20.5% 47.9% 23.8%
Af-A 6.8% 11.5% 5.1%
A Pf Id 6.8% 4.1% 8.6%
L H 2.3% 4.6% 11.3%
Od Wk (55+) 18.4% 22.3% 18.6%
U Mb 2.3% - 5.5%
V f U.S. Ad
F4.2% 6.2% 8.1%
The Michigan solar workforce is less diverse
than that employed by the solar industry
nationally, though this does not come as a
surprise given the demographic makeup of
the states overall workforce. While 23.9% of
U.S. solar workers are women, they constitute
only 20.5% of the Michigan solar workforce.
Similarly, Latino or Hispanic workers make up
a substantially smaller portion of the Michigansolar workforce (2.3%) than they do nationally
(11.3%). Conversely, African-Americans are
employed at a slightly higher rate by solar
companies in Michigan (6.8%) than by solar
companies nationwide (5.2%).
Veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces represent a
uniquely valuable source of human capital for
solar employers. With a proven work ethic and
practiced discipline, veterans bring a wealth
of readily transferable skills and leadership
acumen to the industry. Through the Solar Ready
Vets program, the U.S. Department of Energy is
helping the industry capitalize on this resource
by facilitating the transition from military
service to employment in the civilian solar
workforce.15Michigan solar irms have yet totake advantage of this value proposition to
the same extent as their counterparts across
the country, with veterans comprising
only 4.2% of the states solar workforce,
compared to 6.2% of the states workforce
as a whole and 8.1% of the solar workforce
nationally.
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8Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
Over 37% of Michigan solar establishments
reported that they receive all of their revenuesfrom solar, which is lower than the national
average of 45.1%, while over 33% reported that
they receive less than half of their revenues from
solar, compared to 26.6% nationally. Nearly
63% of Michigan solar establishments work
primarily with in-state customers, and less than
4% reported working primarily with customers
outside of the United States. Although still a
small percentage of Michigan businesses, this
international cohort is larger than the nationalaverage, likely due either to its geographic
proximity to Canadian customers or a greater
focus on exports by Michigan manufacturers.As part of the 2015 Census effort, employers
were asked about the impacts of speciic ex-
isting, pending, and proposed policies on their
business prospects. Michigan employers over-
whelmingly cite the federal investment tax
credit (ITC) as the single most important
policy to their irms success, with 55.6% of
respondents referring to it directly, more than
tripling the second most commonly cited policy,
the states renewable portfolio standard (RPS),at 18.5%.
0.0% 10.0% 20.0% 30.0% 40.0% 50.0% 60.0%
Utility Rebates
Grants & Loans
EPA Clean Power Plan
State RPS
Other Tax Exemptions, Credits, & Rebates
ITC
Businesses Citing Policy Contributions to Success
Michigan National
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9Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
CONCLUSION
While only 3.5 MW of new solar capacity
were installed in Michigan during the irst
nine months of 2015, the industry projects adramatic ramp-up throughout 2016, with the
residential, non-residential, and utility-scale
market segments all experiencing signiicant
growth, and employers in the state have begun
hiring accordingly. At 2,779 workers, the states
solar workforce is the 18th largest in the country,
ahead of its Midwestern neighbors Indiana
(1,567), Wisconsin (1,941) and Minnesota
(1,995), but lagging behind the larger regional
standouts, Illinois (3,483) and Ohio (4,811).The workforce is expected to grow larger still
in 2016, with payrolls expanding by nearly 400
positions, or just over 14%, during the year.
Employers in the state perceive federal and
state policies to be generally beneicial to
their irms success, but interestingly attribute
a lesser degree of importance to policy on
their business prospects than do their peers
nationwide. This may be a function of the states
renewable portfolio standard having largely
been met in advance of its scheduled sunset
at the end of 2015 and the slowly progressing
legislative debate around energy policy at the
statehouse, expected to conclude at some point
in 2016. Regardless of the outcome in Lansing,
the extension of the federal investment tax
credit in December and burgeoning consumer
demand are nearly certain to drive growth for
the Michigan solar industry in the foreseeable
future.
In order to sustain this future growth, it is
essential that Michigan employers have ready
access to quality talent and skilled labor or
enhance their on-the-job training offerings. As
previously reported, the signiicant dificulties
they currently experience in inding qualiied
candidates to ill open positions underscores
the need for more focused and comprehensive
solar training efforts, in-house, in-state, andacross the country. If suficiently emphasized,
these efforts would reduce the companys
talent acquisition, training, and retention costs,
increasing eficiency across the solar value chain,
and ultimately reducing costs for Michigan solar
customers.
This irst-ever study establishes baseline solar
employment numbers for the state of Michigan
and shows that the local solar industry is a
growing source of economic opportunity,
creating jobs that pay living wages and are
largely available to individuals across the
state, at all levels of educational attainment
and regardless of previous experience in the
industry. Only regular reexaminations of the
states solar industry, its workforce, and the
employment opportunities presented herein
will conirm this remains the case in years to
come.
The workforce is expected
to grow larger still in 2016,with payrolls expandingby nearly 400 positions,or just over 14%, duringthe year.
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10Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
The Solar Jobs Censusmethodology is the most
closely aligned with the Bureau of Labor Sta-tistics (BLS) methodology for its QuarterlyCensus of Employment and Wages (QCEW) andCurrent Employment Statistics (CES). Like BLS,this study uses survey questionnaires and em-ployer-reported data, though ours are adminis-tered by phone and web, as opposed to mail.
Also like BLS, we develop a hierarchy of vari-ous categories that represent solar value chainactivities (within their broader NAICS frame-
work), develop representative sample frames,and use statistical analysis and extrapolationin a very similar manner to BLS. We also con-strain our universe of establishments by re-lying on the most recent data from the BLS orthe state departments of labor, depending onwhich is collected most recently. We believethat the categories that we have developedcould be readily adopted by BLS should itchoose to begin to quantify solar employment
in its QCEW and CES series.The results from the overall 2015 Censuseffortare based on rigorous survey efforts that in-clude 287,962 telephone calls and over 44,220emails to known and potential energy estab-lishments across the United States, resulting ina total of 2,350 full completions for solar estab-lishments in the U.S. Unlike economic impactmodels that generate employment estimatesbased on economic data or jobs-per-megawatt
(or jobs-per-dollar) assumptions, the Solar JobsCensusseries provides statistically valid andcurrent data gathered from actual employers.
The survey was administered to a knownuni-verse of energy employers that includes 68,494establishments and is derived from the SolarEnergy Industry Associations National SolarDatabase, as well as other public and private
sources. Of these establishments, 2,118 identi-ied as solar and completed full or substantially
completed surveys.
The survey was also administered to a strati-ied, clustered, random sampling from various
industries that are potentially energy-relat-ed (unknown universe) that include a total ofapproximately 314,000 establishments nation-wide. After an extensive cleaning and de-dupli-cation process, a sampling plan was developedthat gathered information on the level of solar
activity (including none) from 12,765 estab-lishments. Of these, 327 establishments quali-ied as solar establishments and completed full
surveys. The sampling rigor in the known andunknown universes provides a margin of errorfor establishment counts at +/-0.85% andemployment at +/-1.99% at a 95% conidence
interval.
This level of national sampling rigor is mir-rored at the state level. In addition to the
known Census, the clustered sampling in theunknown universe is representative relative toestablishment totals by size in each of the 50states and the District of Columbia. This en-sures that each states employment estimatesare accurate with a maximum margin of errorunder +/-5% at a 95% conidence interval.
Due to the number of qualifying responses,some smaller states have higher margins oferror for non-employment related questions,
such as workforce and policy related questions,due to the small universe of solar establish-ments in each state. As a result, some state-lev-el, non-employment data is reported usingregional averages or have footnotes denotingsmall response sizes.
APPENDIX
STATE CENSUS METHODOLOGY AND DATA SOURCES
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11Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
GEOGRAPHIC REPRESENTATION OF DATA
In addition to the statewide results detailed
herein, the Solar Jobs Census 2015effort
compiled comprehensive information aboutthe distribution of solar workers across each
state. The Solar Jobs Census 2015 companion
website, SolarStates.org ,houses solar jobs
data for each state and the District of Columbia.
Here, the employment data have been broken
out and represented in map form at the
state, federal congressional district, state
legislative district, metropolitan statisticalarea, and county levels. What follows are
tables presenting the employment counts and
demographic breakdowns of the workforce at
each speciied level of granularity previously
mentioned.
District TotalEmployment
Women African-American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino orHispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
UnionMembers
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
1 299 61 20 20 7 55 7 13
2 289 59 20 20 7 53 7 12
3 147 30 10 10 3 27 3 6
4 218 45 15 15 5 40 5 9
5 143 29 10 10 3 26 3 6
6 166 34 11 11 4 31 4 7
7 279 57 19 19 6 52 6 12
8 176 36 12 12 4 32 4 7
9 295 60 20 20 7 54 7 12
10 160 33 11 11 4 30 4 7
11 201 41 14 14 5 37 5 8
12 128 26 9 9 3 24 3 5
13 170 35 12 12 4 31 4 7
14 109 22 7 7 2 20 2 5
MICHIGAN FEDERAL CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS
MICHIGAN STATE SENATE
District
Total
Employment Women
African-
American
Asian or
PaciicIslanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US ArmedForces
1 126 26 9 9 3 23 3 5
2 23 5 2 2 1 4 1 1
3 75 15 5 5 2 14 2 3
4 13 3 1 1 0 2 0 1
5 27 5 2 2 1 5 1 1
6 43 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
7 80 16 5 5 2 15 2 3
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12Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
DistrictTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
1 15 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
2 8 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
3 17 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
4 18 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
MICHIGAN STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
DistrictTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
8 112 23 8 8 3 21 3 5
9 57 12 4 4 1 11 1 2
10 40 8 3 3 1 7 1 211 164 34 11 11 4 30 4 7
12 127 26 9 9 3 23 3 5
13 102 21 7 7 2 19 2 4
14 69 14 5 5 2 13 2 3
15 75 15 5 5 2 14 2 3
16 85 17 6 6 2 16 2 4
17 55 11 4 4 1 10 1 2
18 87 18 6 6 2 16 2 4
19 85 17 6 6 2 16 2 4
20 69 14 5 5 2 13 2 3
21 67 14 5 5 2 12 2 3
22 82 17 6 6 2 15 2 3
23 94 19 6 6 2 17 2 4
24 31 6 2 2 1 6 1 1
25 70 14 5 5 2 13 2 3
26 110 22 7 7 2 20 2 5
27 43 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
28 129 26 9 9 3 24 3 5
29 12 3 1 1 0 2 0 1
30 39 8 3 3 1 7 1 2
31 71 14 5 5 2 13 2 3
32 42 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
33 72 15 5 5 2 13 2 3
34 55 11 4 4 1 10 1 2
35 127 26 9 9 3 23 3 5
36 69 14 5 5 2 13 2 3
37 73 15 5 5 2 14 2 3
38 80 16 5 5 2 15 2 3
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13Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
DistrictTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
5 36 7 2 2 1 7 1 2
6 57 12 4 4 1 11 1 2
7 6 1 0 0 0 1 0 08 21 4 1 1 0 4 0 1
9 8 2 1 1 0 1 0 0
10 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 42 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
12 42 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
13 29 6 2 2 1 5 1 1
14 15 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
15 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
17 21 4 1 1 0 4 0 1
18 44 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
19 18 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
20 42 8 3 3 1 8 1 2
21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
22 17 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
23 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
24 29 6 2 2 1 5 1 1
25 23 5 2 2 1 4 1 1
26 60 12 4 4 1 11 1 3
27 20 4 1 1 0 4 0 1
28 16 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
29 60 12 4 4 1 11 1 3
30 28 6 2 2 1 5 1 1
31 18 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
32 16 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
33 11 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
34 42 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
35 68 14 5 5 2 13 2 3
36 19 4 1 1 0 4 0 1
37 55 11 4 4 1 10 1 238 65 13 4 4 1 12 1 3
39 14 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
40 34 7 2 2 1 6 1 1
41 44 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
42 45 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
43 17 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
44 14 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
45 18 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
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14Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
DistrictTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
46 17 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
47 27 6 2 2 1 5 1 1
48 25 5 2 2 1 5 1 149 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
50 14 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
51 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
52 83 17 6 6 2 15 2 3
53 25 5 2 2 1 5 1 1
54 18 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
56 12 3 1 1 0 2 0 1
57 22 4 1 1 0 4 0 1
58 23 5 2 2 1 4 1 1
59 34 7 2 2 1 6 1 1
60 58 12 4 4 1 11 1 2
61 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
62 49 10 3 3 1 9 1 2
63 9 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
64 30 6 2 2 1 6 1 1
65 6 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
66 31 6 2 2 1 6 1 1
67 53 11 4 4 1 10 1 2
68 39 8 3 3 1 7 1 2
69 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
70 29 6 2 2 1 5 1 1
71 9 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
72 67 14 5 5 2 12 2 3
73 78 16 5 5 2 14 2 3
74 43 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
75 12 3 1 1 0 2 0 1
77 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
78 14 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
79 13 3 1 1 0 2 0 180 35 7 2 2 1 6 1 1
81 33 7 2 2 1 6 1 1
82 17 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
83 12 3 1 1 0 2 0 1
84 21 4 1 1 0 4 0 1
85 24 5 2 2 1 4 1 1
86 14 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
87 7 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
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15Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
DistrictTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
88 24 5 2 2 1 4 1 1
89 15 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
90 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 091 36 7 2 2 1 7 1 2
92 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
93 12 2 1 1 0 2 0 1
94 37 8 3 3 1 7 1 2
95 11 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
96 15 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
97 31 6 2 2 1 6 1 1
98 25 5 2 2 1 5 1 1
99 18 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
100 23 5 2 2 1 4 1 1
101 73 15 5 5 2 13 2 3
102 18 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
103 33 7 2 2 1 6 1 1
104 17 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
105 49 10 3 3 1 9 1 2
106 36 7 2 2 1 7 1 2
107 20 4 1 1 0 4 0 1
108 32 6 2 2 1 6 1 1
109 25 5 2 2 1 5 1 1
110 25 5 2 2 1 5 1 1
MICHIGAN METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREAS
Metropolitan
Statistical Area
Total
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino
or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
Ann Arbor 126 26 9 9 3 23 3 5
Battle Creek 42 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
Bay City 25 5 2 2 1 5 1 1
Detroit-Warren-Livonia 1,191 244 81 81 27 220 27 50
Flint 96 20 7 7 2 18 2 4
Grand Rapids-
Wyoming226 46 15 15 5 42 5 9
Holland- Grand
Haven66 13 4 4 1 12 1 3
Jackson 39 8 3 3 1 7 1 2
Kalamazoo-
Portage87 18 6 6 2 16 2 4
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16Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
Metropolitan
Statistical Area
Total
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino
or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
Lansing-East
Lansing125 26 9 9 3 23 3 5
MI NONMETROAREA 585 120 40 40 13 108 13 25
Monroe 25 5 2 2 1 5 1 1
Muskegon-
Norton Shores41 8 3 3 1 8 1 2
Niles-
Benton Harbor45 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
Saginaw-Saginaw
Township North52 11 4 4 1 10 1 2
South Bend-
Mishawaka, IN-MI7 2 1 1 0 1 0 0
MICHIGAN COUNTIES
CountyTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
Alcona 6 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Alger 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Allegan 41 8 3 3 1 8 1 2
Alpena 12 2 1 1 0 2 0 1
Antrim 8 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Arenac 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0Baraga 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Barry 9 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Bay 25 5 2 2 1 5 1 1
Benzie 7 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Berrien 45 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
Branch 9 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Calhoun 42 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
Cass 7 2 1 1 0 1 0 0
Charlevoix 10 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Cheboygan 6 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Chippewa 12 2 1 1 0 2 0 1
Clare 13 3 1 1 0 2 0 1
Clinton 11 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Crawford 3 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Delta 15 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
Dickinson 9 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Eaton 28 6 2 2 1 5 1 1
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17Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
CountyTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
Emmet 18 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
Genesee 95 20 7 7 2 18 2 4
Gladwin 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 0Gogebic 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Grand
Traverse54 11 4 4 1 10 1 2
Gratiot 12 3 1 1 0 2 0 1
Hillsdale 12 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Houghton 12 2 1 1 0 2 0 1
Huron 12 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Ingham 87 18 6 6 2 16 2 4
Ionia 11 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Iosco 9 2 1 1 0 2 0 0Iron 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Isabella 21 4 1 1 0 4 0 1
Jackson 39 8 3 3 1 7 1 2
Kalamazoo 69 14 5 5 2 13 2 3
Kalkaska 8 2 1 1 0 1 0 0
Kent 198 40 13 13 4 36 4 8
Lake 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Lapeer 19 4 1 1 0 4 0 1
Leelanau 7 2 1 1 0 1 0 0
Lenawee 23 5 2 2 1 4 1 1
Livingston 48 10 3 3 1 9 1 2
Luce 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mackinac 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Macomb 204 42 14 14 5 38 5 9
Manistee 20 4 1 1 0 4 0 1
Marquette 20 4 1 1 0 4 0 1
Mason 12 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Mecosta 8 2 1 1 0 1 0 0
Menominee 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Midland 26 5 2 2 1 5 1 1
Missaukee 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Monroe 24 5 2 2 1 4 1 1
Montcalm 12 2 1 1 0 2 0 1
Montmorency 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
Muskegon 41 8 3 3 1 8 1 2
Newaygo 9 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Oakland 492 101 34 34 11 91 11 21
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18Michigan Solar Jobs Census 2015
CountyTotal
EmploymentWomen
African-
American
Asian or
Paciic
Islanders
Latino or
Hispanic
Older
Workers
(55+)
Union
Members
Veterans of
the US Armed
Forces
Oceana 9 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Ogemaw 7 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Ontonagon 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Osceola 8 2 1 1 0 2 0 0
Oscoda 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Otsego 17 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
Ottawa 51 10 3 3 1 9 1 2
Presque Isle 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Roscommon 6 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Saginaw 53 11 4 4 1 10 1 2
Sanilac 8 2 1 1 0 1 0 0
Schoolcraft 4 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
Shiawassee 16 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
St Clair 42 9 3 3 1 8 1 2
St Joseph 14 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
Tuscola 12 2 1 1 0 2 0 1
Van Buren 18 4 1 1 0 3 0 1
Washtenaw 128 26 9 9 3 24 3 5
Wayne 385 79 26 26 9 71 9 16
Wexford 14 3 1 1 0 3 0 1
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
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ENDNOTES
1. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
2. The 2014 estimate of solar employment in Michigan was produced using a carefully developed dual methodology one for installation and construction jobs and another for non-installation jobs (covering industry sectors suchas manufacturing, sales & distribution, project development, and other occupations that support the solarindustry). Method one used labor intensity multipliers developed internally and cross-checked with leadingstudies on the subject, while method two was based not only on a direct count of solar workers, but also theaverage number of jobs per solar establishment and total number of establishments in the state. It is importantto note that while the 2014 and 2015 methodologies differ, the results derived from the Census approach arestatistically signiicant and, therefore, more credible. Details on the methodology can be found on page 10.
3. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
4. The residential, non-residential, and utility-scale market segments are deined by SEIA based on the offtaker of
the electricity their systems generate, though they can generally be used interchangeably with small-scale (i.e.single-family household rooftop systems, no more than a handful of kilowatts), medium-scale (i.e. multi-unit,commercial, or government rooftop system), and large-scale (i.e. ground-mounted or very large rooftop systemsranging from several hundred kilowatts to several hundred megawatts in capacity).
5. Otte, Colleen. Large Solar Dawns in Michigan, but Residential Incentives May Sunset. Great Lakes Echo.December 4, 2015. Accessed December 14, 2015. http://greatlakesecho.org/2015/12/04/large-solar-dawns-in-michigan-but-residential-incentives-may-sunset/
6. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
7. Greene, Jay. Consumers Energy Gets OK to Add Michigans First Community Solar Program. Crains DetroitBusiness. May 15, 2015. Accessed December 14, 2015. http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20150515/NEWS/150519887/consumers-energy-gets-ok-to-add-michigans-irst-community-solar
8. It is important to note that these projections were based on employer-reported hiring plans for 2016 that mayhave since changed in light of the extension of the federal investment tax credit in December of 2015.
9. SEIA/GTM Research Solar Market Insight Q3 2015
10. Id.
11. JobsEQ 2015Q3
12. Hill, K., Menk, D., Swiecki, B., & Cregger, J. (2014, January 8). Just How High-Tech is the AutomotiveIndustry? Retrieved January 20, 2016, from Center for Automotive Research website: http://cargroup.org/?module=Publications&event=View&pubID=103
13. U.S Census Bureau, Geographic Terms and Concepts - Census Divisions and Census Regions. Found at: https://www.census.gov/geo/reference/gtc/gtc_census_divreg.html
14. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment status of the civilian noninstitutional population by state 2014Annual Averages and Employment status of veterans 18 years and over by state 2014 Annual Averages.Found at: http://www.bls.gov/
15. See, U.S. Department of Energy Solar Ready Vets. Available at: http://energy.gov/eere/sunshot/solar-ready-vets
COPYRIGHT NOTICEUnless otherwise noted, all design, text, graphics, and the selection and arrangement thereof are Copyright February 2016 by The Solar Foundationand BW Research Partnership. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Any use of materials in this report, including reproduction, modiication, distribution, or
republication, without the prior written consent of The Solar Foundation and BW Research Partnership, is strictly prohibited.For questions about this report, please contact Andrea Luecke at The Solar Foundation, [email protected].
The Solar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonproit and relies on public support. To learn more about supporting The Solar Foundations work, go to
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