"Solar Industry Loses Jobs For The First Time"

"The U.S solar industry, after at least six years as a sizzling job creator, lost almost 4 percent of its jobs last year, according to a survey out today. Most business owners said they expect growth to resume this year.

The report's upbeat tone contradicts gloomy forecasts from solar's main trade group, the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), which fought the Trump administration's new tariffs on solar products with a warning that the industry would quickly lose 23,000 jobs.

Solar jobs declined by 9,800 jobs last year to just over 250,000 positions, according to the National Solar Job Census, a report put out yearly by the nonprofit Solar Foundation. Uncertainty on energy policy and trade were the main culprits."

David Ferris reports for EnergyWire February 7, 2018.