Hello there, fellow solar enthusiasts!
Continuing our exploration of the ever-growing solar industry, today’s topic is the condition of the solar workforce: the people who install and maintain solar panels for your home. Drawing insights from a recent Cornell University study, I’d like to delve further into aspects like the diversity in pay, benefits, and safety concerns that these workers experience, in turn affecting solar companies and their offerings.
The Cornell study, titled ‘Exploring the Conditions of the New York Solar Workforce,’ surveyed over 260 solar workers. The findings lend perspective to the often overlooked side of the solar industry: the circumstances of those employed by solar companies for installation and maintenance.
It posed some eye-opening revelations. The national median annual wage for solar photovoltaic installers was $48,230, falling below the median annual wage of general construction trade workers at $52,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Moreover, some startling discrepancies were discovered in compensation and benefits within solar companies. Nearly 60% of the surveyed workers reported no benefits, particularly installers for utility-scale projects. They were also less likely to report longer employment durations with their primary employers.
What strikes me more are the racial disparities coming to light. Black and Hispanic workers, compared to white workers, were revealed to be more likely receiving no employment benefits. To add to this, their median annual salary was nearly half compared to their white counterparts. These discrepancies, within the domain of solar companies, cannot be overlooked and call for immediate attention and action.
Glancing at the payment structures, about 34% of respondents were compensated on a per-panel-installed basis. This raised potential safety and quality concerns for the solar array for homes due to the haste that may be involved in finishing tasks quickly. Advocates for worker rights have often linked such pay-per-piece structures to adverse outcomes, which definitely warrants further analysis.
Safety certifications among respondents varied. A majority held an OSHA30 certification, while others had different levels of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) certifications.
An additional concern raised by the study was stimulant usage at work sites. Over 50% of workers acknowledged the prevalence of this issue on their solar worksites. The report interestingly hinted that pay-per-panel structures could contribute to stimulant usage prevalence, a topic requiring more detailed research.
The study concluded that unionized workers usually have better wages, fewer racial and gender pay gaps, higher chances of employer-provided benefits, and were more forthcoming about reporting unsafe working conditions.
This analysis paints a multifaceted image of what it means to work in the solar industry. It’s not just about learning the ropes of installing solar panels for your home. There is much room for improvement, and as socially responsible consumers, it is essential to be aware of these aspects when choosing solar companies. Reflecting on these findings, I believe a well-treated solar workforce might lead to higher-quality work, on-time and within budget outcomes, and lower staff turnover.
The Cornell University study is planning a follow-up focusing on unionized workers, and I will be eagerly awaiting its insights to share with you. Let’s remember, the road to a sustainable future is made smoother when the workers paving the way are well-treated and adequately compensated.
Original Articlehttps://pv-magazine-usa.com/2024/05/06/solar-worker-payment-structure-creates-unsafe-environment-said-report/
