COVID-19 hits Nebraska solar industry

LU NELSEN

Policy associate

Center for Rural Affairs

As the global COVID-19 pandemic has swept across Nebraska, it has taken many clean energy jobs with it—especially in the solar energy industry.

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, the novel coronavirus has led to the loss of 105 jobs in Nebraska, a decrease of 29% from the original forecast. In addition to job loss, COVID-19 may also impact the projected growth of solar in the state. As recently as 2019, the solar industry employed 1,332 Nebraskans and about 47 megawatts of solar energy was installed, with an expected growth...