Calif. Renewable Energy Jobs

California valley hires a ton of solar workers

Another report later in the week revealed that renewable energy projects slated to break ground within the next 10 years in Central California will likely create more than 75,000 jobs.

Tom Cotter, Real Goods Solar sales manager for central California, said his company had a job fair last month. More than 500 people came to the fair and Real Goods hired 20 of them, Cotter said.

“So, that’s pretty unique in these times,” Cotter said. “The demand is there from our residential and commercial customers. And we’re responding to the demand.”

Cotter said that Real Goods made some good financial decisions going into the recession. That’s why it and a few other companies are thriving. Some other solar installation companies, especially those with heavy debt loads, went under. But Real Goods isn’t the only central California firm hiring. {read rest}