California leads in solar energy jobs among US states: Report

According to a new study, one in every four solar jobs in the US is held by a Californian as the clean-tech industry grows nationwide.

The National Solar Jobs Census 2011 estimated 25,575 solar-related jobs out of 100,237 across all 50 states, were California-based. The census is set to release today  according to the Solar Foundation, a research and education organisation in Washington.

California accounted for more than four times the 6,186 solar jobs that the runners-up Colorado supported.

The study found that the Golden State came in at the first spot among states for electricity generation using photovoltaic solar panels and concentrated solar power systems that use mirrors to raise steam to run turbines.

According to Michelle Kinman, a clean energy advocate for Environment California, the report showed that the solar industry was not only creating green jobs across California but that the industry was forecast to continue growing at a much faster pace than the overall US economy She added, California industry and policymakers had a tremendous opportunity to build on this solid foundation and make solar a centerpiece of the state's energy policy.

Meanwhile, employment across the solar industry, including manufacturing, installation, residential, commercial and large-scale power generation, was up 6.8 per cent in the 12 month period ended in August. Overall US job growth stood at less than 1 per cent for the same period, according to the census.