SolarCity Expansion to Create more Green Jobs in Maryland

SolarCity's success over the past 18 months leads to an expansion of its operations center in Maryland.

SolarCity grew from 10 to 100 employees in its Maryland operations center in the past 18 months. It has provided solar energy systems for over 1,000 buildings in the state.

SolarCity currently offers solar systems for free to Maryland residential customers whose cost per KWh turns out to be less than what the local utilities charge, not counting the benefits to the environment.

 

The opening ceremony of its expanded operations center attracted the presence of local politicians included U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, as well as State Senator Jim Rosapepe and State Delegate Joseline A. Peña-Melnyk.

“Using renewable energy is good for the environment, good for our national and economic security, and good for the customers who get to cut their utility bills. Marylanders are creating a dynamic clean energy economy thanks to effective state energy policies and Federal initiatives designed to empower homeowners and small businesses,” said U.S. Senator Ben Cardin, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

 

“Solar energy makes sense for a wide range of homeowners and businesses,” said SolarCity Regional Vice President Leon Keshishian. “Going solar can save Marylanders significant money on what they’re currently paying for utility power--and it’s easier to go solar now than ever before.”

SolarCity has currently a total of 159 nationwide green job openings listed on TheGreenJobBank that are less than 60 days old, including 8 in Maryland. Its website shows 357 jobs openings, but TheGreenJobBank's policy is to not include those that are more than 60 days old.

The openings in Maryland are for jobs located in Beltsville, Baltimore, Bethesda and Jessup.

TheGreenJobBank has currently 229 green jobs opening in Maryland.

Colorado is the Hub of National Green Job Creation

Is clean energy helping the nation recover from the great recession? For employers, employees and local government officials in Colorado, the answer is a resounding yes!

Employment in Colorado's clean-tech industry increased 32.7% between 2005 and 2010, compared with a 10% increase at the national level, according to a 2011 study by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation.

"Colorado ranks fourth nationally in the total number of clean-energy jobs and we're still growing and adding jobs," said Tom Clark, executive vice president of the Metro Denver EDC. "With the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in our backyard, the nation's second-highest renewable energy standard and copious amounts of wind and sunshine, our region truly has become a hub for clean-technology."

Clean technology was the only sector within the state to grow in 2010, with 1,600 companies employing over 19,000 workers. In the past two years, more than 20 solar and wind companies have announced they would expand or relocate to Colorado.

Vestas, the world's leading wind turbine manufacturer, announced it will invest $1 billion at four manufacturing facilities in Colorado, bringing its total workforce there to 2,500. Vestas, despite a loss in its first fiscal quarter, is well positioned for growth, having received 3 orders in the past 4 weeks for a total of over 200 large turbines for projects in Kansas, California and Canada.

Vestas is just one of many examples of clean technology companies in Colorado. Another is RES Americas, which develops, constructs owns and operates renewable energy projects across North America, moved its headquarters to Colorado in 2008. Aluwind, a supplier to Vestas, Juwi, a German-based renewable energy company and REpower Systems, a leading turbine producer in Germany, all moved their headquarters to Colorado.

Colorado has the unique advantage of being host to The National Wind Technology Center, a part of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development.

Education is also playing a central role in helping Colorado become a leader in clean technology. Ecotech Institute, the nation's first and only college entirely dedicated to renewable energy and sustainable design, chose Colorado last year for its flagship campus.

"Ecotech Institute chose to launch its first location in Colorado for many reasons, including its location, entrepreneurial culture, and passion for green job growth," said Michael Seifert, president of Ecotech Institute. "Colorado's culture, natural beauty and green-leaning attitude fosters greener lifestyles, education and careers."

Since last July, 230 students have enrolled in two-year programs for wind and solar energy technology, electrical engineering technology, energy efficiency, environmental technology and general renewable energy training.

Colorado seems to have found a winning combination of private enterprise, local and federal government programs and educational organizations. Will other states follow?

More on Colorado's clean technology.

$5 a gallon of gasoline in 2012? I love it!!!

$5 a gallon? It's not coming fast enough. And I wouldn't be opposed to a bit of a government push on that matter. Let's say an extra 10 cents/gallon tax (28.4 cents/gallon instead of 18.4 cents/gallon?)

According to John Hofmeister, the former president of Shell Oil, it's highly likely that gasoline prices at the pump will hit $5 per gallon in the summer of 2012, essentially because of the continuing growth of the Chinese and Indian economies, and a probable American continued recovery in 2011.

The immediate effect on the economy would be increase sales of hybrid and electric cars, decrease sales of gas-guzzling SUVs, and a steady creation of green jobs! Use the additional gasoline tax revenue to increase energy efficiency project tax breaks, and we'll see even more of a boom in the residential solar and wind industries.

With the current US gasoline consumption at about 9 million barrels a day, an additional tax of 10 cents per gallon is an extra $1.1 billion a month of revenue that could be used directly to subsidize hybrid car purchases, or solar or wind residential installations. At $5,000 per household, that's about 220,000 households per month who would benefit.

So given that kind of huge economic benefit, what's an extra 10 cents per gallon when the price is going to go from $3 to $5 per gallon?

Call me crazy, but I think it's a good thing. The faster we reduce the consumption of fossil fuels (especially the imported kind), the better for the environment, the economy, and the security of this country. Many people won't be happy, but they'll agree that it's a necessity and it'll help up convert faster to a green economy and energy independence.

With newfound confidence and IPO dollars, GM hires 1,000 for EV division

GM announced on Nov. 30 that it's hiring 1,000 engineers and researchers over the next couple of years for its electric vehicle division. When was the last time GM announced the creation of high-paying jobs?

This time around, GM is very optimistic, and full of new found confidence. With billions of dollars from a recent IPO, and a single order for 12,000 Chevy Volts from GE, who wouldn't be?

Today's GM is a far cry from the GM of 2 years ago, having done a complete U turn from gas guzzlers to plug-in electric hybrids. It took awhile, but finally it seems that GM is giving itself a chance to grab back its competitive edge, and the #1 position from Toyota.

“GM is going to lead the industry in the adoption of various vehicle electrification technologies, whether its electric vehicles with extended-range capability, like the Chevrolet Volt, or the recently introduced eAssist technology that will debut on the 2012 Buick LaCrosse,” GM CEO Dan Akerson said. “We want to give our customers energy choices other than petroleum and to make the automobile part of the solution when it comes to the environment."

"Deep experience and expertise in batteries, electric motors and power controls will ensure GM provides the best possible electric vehicle choices to customers around the world," Akerson said.

The 1,000 engineering and researh jobs represent a big commitment to EVs on GM's part. At an estimated $100,000 per year per job, it's $100 million a year that GM will spend on these new green jobs. GM has already spent $700 million building the manufacturing infrastructure for the Volt, and is also investing over $400 million in advanced battery technology and powertrain development.

In addition to GM’s investments, suppliers such as LG Chem, utility companies such as DTE Energy and organizations including the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, are investing in Michigan jobs to support Chevy Volt and electric vehicle development.

“The state of Michigan is proud to continue our long partnership with GM as it drives toward a leaner, greener future,” Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm said. “As we work to diversify our state’s economy both within the auto industry and outside of it, electric vehicles will play a major role in re-establishing Michigan as the North American center of automotive manufacturing.”


Read the full text of the GM press release on the Green Job Bank.