The solar industry’s performance in the U.S. has steadily been improving over the past years. In 2014 the country brought online as much solar energy every three weeks as it did in all of 2008, and the industry as a whole added jobs ten times faster than the rest of the economy. The Obama Administration wants to build on this momentum and help more people, particularly low-income families, adopt solar energy which is not only cheaper but it’s more environment-friendly.
The administration is announcing a host of executive actions and private sector commitments to ensure that solar energy reaches all Americans, even those who rent or don’t have the startup capital required to invest in the prerequisite technology.
A goal has been set by the administrator to install 300 megawatts of renewable energy in federally subsidized housing as well as provide technical assistance to make it easier for people to install solar setups.
Power companies, rural electric co-ops, housing authorities across 20 states in the country have committed to install 260 solar energy projects with particular focus on low and moderate income communities, enabling them to save on their energy bills.
To create more jobs in this sector the administration is announcing new executive actions and private sector commitments such as AmeriCorps funding to deploy solar and create jobs in underserved communities as well as expanding solar energy education and opportunities for job training.
These actions are in line with President Obama’s goal to train 75,000 workers to enter the solar industry by the year 2020.
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