[SMM PV News] US Solar Faces Labor Shortage Ahead of 'OBBBA' Deadline
The US solar industry faces a 53,000-worker shortfall as developers rush to meet the July 2026 construction deadline under the 'OBBBA'. Projections indicate 355,000 workers are needed to hit the 60-70 GW installation targets, yet 86% of employers report hiring difficulties. The labor crunch is compounded by a mandate requiring 15% of labor hours to come from apprentices to secure tax credits. To adapt, developers are building internal training pipelines, targeting veterans, and utilizing digital tools to maximize efficiency.