Future Employment Projections for Electric Vehicle and Solar Growth in PA
Duquesne Light
Economic Resilience
Duquesne Light Company (DLC) is the electric utility provider or most of Allegheny and Beaver Counties in Pennsylvania. New legislation proposed in Pennsylvania would create more opportunities to expand solar energy and transportation electrification. However, many residents and legislators don’t fully grasp the potential economic benefits from transitioning to solar power and electric vehicles.
Our Approach
Fourth Economy researched the impacts of solar projects in Pennsylvania. Using the JEDI models from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, we estimated the job impacts from locating solar projects in a community, including jobs for residents and income for landowners.
Additionally, we researched the expansion of transportation electrification related to EV ownership growth, EV charging stations, and the EV manufacturing supply chain. We developed infographics and brief reports summarizing these impacts and an interactive story map related to EVs in Pennsylvania.
The Results
Fourth Economy’s analysis demonstrated the various impacts and economic potential of solar energy:
The solar sector provides stable, high-paying jobs, with 8% growth from 2017-2019.
2,600 to 3,000 new jobs are created with every 100 MW of solar added.
Solar projects provide income to state farmers through lease payments.
The report also outlines how solar projects benefit communities and provides examples of specific solar developments.
We also profiled the growth of electric vehicle use in the Commonwealth, showing that EVs are on the rise in PA, with a 151% increase from 11,347 in 2017 to 28,460 in February 2021. Supportive policy can ensure residents and businesses fully realize the benefits of this market transformation. Proposed legislation aims to expand electrification infrastructure by 50% above the 2030 forecast, requiring infrastructure for 1.8 million EVs by 2030.
Location
Pittsburgh, PA