Unemployed Texas Oil Workers Pursue Jobs In Growing Solar Industry

The booming Texas solar industry is becoming a safe haven for oil and gas professionals who found themselves unemployed amidst the recent oil and gas industry bust caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

EcoWatch reports that many workers from the hard-struck fracking sector are looking to apply their skills that range from construction to negotiating land use agreements to the industry of renewables.

"No question, we are getting workers moving over from oil and gas," Kevin Smith, Lighthouse BP's CEO in the Americas, said. "A lot of the oil and gas skills are applicable to solar."

Renewables are the fastest-growing energy sector in the country, while the topography, climate, and grid in Texas make it an attractive location for solar developments.

Raj Prabhu, CEO of Austin-based research firm Mercom Capital Group said that clean energy is growing fast in Texas and that attractive jobs in the renewables sector are simply following the economy.