Two-thirds of solar installation firms report that "difficulty finding qualified applicants" is increasing costs and impacting their ability to expand, according to a new research report released this week by the Solar Training Network, a program led by The Solar Foundation. 

The research report, Solar Training and Hiring Insights 2017, aims to increase understanding of U.S. solar training, hiring practices, and market trends to help the industry make better, more informed decisions. One key finding is that 65 percent of solar employers reported that "difficulty finding qualified applicants" led to increased costs, while 68 percent said it impacts their ability to grow.

The report also shows that continued and expanded investments in training could save the solar industry more than $10 million annually. Read the report here.