LANSING, Mich. – A new report on solar industry jobs released yesterday by the Solar Foundation found jobs in Michigan’s solar industry are on the rise. Solar industry jobs increased 48 percent in 2016, with more than 1,300 new workers on the job in Michigan.

“This report clearly demonstrates that the growing clean energy sector continues to be a driver of economic development and job creation throughout Michigan,” said Liesl Clark, president of the Michigan Energy Innovation Business Council. “The incredible declining cost of combined with more regulatory certainty creates fertile ground in Michigan for growth. We should expect Michigan’s solar industry to continue expandingand creating jobs throughout 2017 and beyond as the energy laws are implemented.”

Clean energy business leaders expect Michigan’s solar industry to continue growing in the wake of comprehensive energy legislation passed in December that will expand Michigan’s use of clean, renewable energy. The new law also increases Michigan’s renewable energy standard from 10 percent to 15 percent by 2021.