The solar economy in Illinois has seen tremendous growth over the past 5 years. While utility-scale installations are producing most of the electricity, about half of the jobs are in the residential solar space. And while we know the clean energy workforce is growing, we don’t yet know who is doing this work, under what conditions, or whether it’s delivering the high-quality jobs promised by Illinois policy.
At the same time, the solar economy in Illinois faces increasing uncertainty as federal tax credits are rolled back, due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. According to Energy Innovation, the state could see 1.3 fewer gigawatts of new solar capacity by 2035, with thousands of solar jobs on the line. The actual impact will depend on the industry’s ability to pivot and the state’s ability to mitigate these impacts.
This study is the first comprehensive look at solar employment and job quality in Illinois. We aim to understand who solar workers are, what their day-to-day looks like, how they’re treated, and whether clean energy jobs are truly creating opportunity. Our study also explores how solar contractors and businesses are navigating the recent federal policy changes.
Work in the solar industry? Or did you used to?
We’d love to talk to you. We are conducting surveys and interviews to better understand the experiences of solar workers and contractors across the state. We want to hear from you about your pay, benefits, travel, safety on the job, training, hiring, and other workplace conditions.
La encuesta también está disponible en español. Puede seleccionar el idioma en el top de la página.
Workers and employers are invited to complete one or both of:
- A 15–20 minute online survey – participants will receive a $15 gift card
- A 1-hour virtual interview — – participants will receive a $60 gift card
Your input will help us make recommendations to the State of Illinois on how to improve conditions for solar workers and contractors like you.
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What We’re Asking
We’re seeking answers to key questions like:
- Who is working on solar projects across Illinois?
- What are their working conditions? Are they paid fairly? Do they have benefits? Are they in a union?
- Is solar work a long-term career or a temporary job?
- Are labor protections like prevailing wages being followed?
- Are state programs like CEJA, Illinois Shines, and Illinois Solar for All improving job quality and access?
- How are recent federal policy changes impacting solar businesses and workers? How are businesses responding to and navigating these changes?
How We’re Studying It
This is a worker-centered, data-informed study. Our approach includes:
Data Analysis
- Reviewing data from Illinois Shines, Illinois Solar for All, and state labor agencies
- Estimating workforce size, demographics, wages, and job types
- Assessing impact of labor and equity standards
Interviews and Surveys
- Interviewing solar workers and employers
- Surveying solar workers and employers
- Partnering with unions, training programs, state agencies, industry groups, and community groups to recruit participants
Why It Matters
Illinois has made bold commitments to create good jobs while transitioning to clean energy. But we need to speak with workers and contractors and gather data to know whether those commitments are being met.
This study will help:
- Policymakers strengthen job quality and labor standards.
- Policymakers and state agencies find ways to mitigate the impact of federal policy changes.
- Training programs better prepare workers for long-term careers.
- Labor and community organizations understand the needs of solar workers.
- The public assess whether a just transition is underway.
Interested in Participating?
If you work in solar (as a contractor or employee), used to work in solar, or know someone who works in solar, we’d love to hear from you. We’re also seeking partners to help recruit participants and share information.
All interviews and surveys will be conducted confidentially. No names or companies will be named in our results.
La encuesta también está disponible en español. Puede seleccionar el idioma en el top de la página.
Questions?
Contact Roshan Krishnan, research specialist, rokrishn@illinois.edu
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