The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is honored to present both Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Rep. George Holding (R-NC) with the prestigious SEIA Solar Champion Award, an honor bestowed upon entities or individuals who have helped strengthen solar power in America.
“Under the leadership of Senator Burr and Representative Holding, North Carolina now ranks in the top 10 for both solar deployment and solar jobs, proving the payoff to expanding solar development is indisputable,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, SEIA’s president and CEO. “These legislators have demonstrated that they recognize solar is an economic engine, not a partisan technology. We thank them for their support and proudly present them with these well-deserved awards.”
The two North Carolina lawmakers were awarded this recognition for their continued leadership in the Senate and House to promote greater use of solar energy. Their support helped secure an extension of the federal solar investment tax credit in 2015, leading to increased deployment and employment nationwide.
“The solar industry employs over 7,000 people in North Carolina – a testament to how many folks are using solar energy in our state,” Congressman George Holding said. “I’m honored to receive this award, and excited to see what the industry develops in the years to come to meet our growing energy demands.”
According to recently released data from SEIA and GTM Research’s U.S. Solar Market Insight report, North Carolina now ranks No. 2 in the nation for cumulative solar capacity with 3,012 megawatts of solar installed. This growth has led to the solar industry becoming a major employer in the state with 1,161 solar jobs added in North Carolina in 2016 alone, bringing the total to more than 7,100 solar employees in the Tar Heel State, representing manufacturers, contractors, project developers, distributors and installers.
