New Mexico Creates Green Collar Jobs with Solar PV Plant

Schott, AG has just broken ground on a facility that will manufacture solar PV cells and receivers. Governor Bill Richardson celebrated the creation of 350 jobs in the short term and 1,500 jobs when the plant is running to capacity. New Mexico has a Renewable Portfolio Standard, requiring that a portion of the state’s energy production must come from renewable sources. Renewable Energy World estimates that there are currently 8.5 million jobs created from renewable energy industries, not only in engineering, but in manufacturing, construction, management, and accounting.

“By the year 2030, the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries could generate up to $4.5 trillion in revenue in the U.S., but only with the appropriate public policy. This would include a renewable portfolio standard, renewable energy incentives, public education, and R&D” –ASES

The beauty of green collar jobs is that they can’t be outsourced: they are local and they are looking toward the future. One source of jobs in renewable energy is at AlternativeEnergy.com.