At SEG Solar in Cypress, company leaders said they can produce upwards of 70,000 panels a day. Demand, they say, is driven by higher gas prices, prompting people to buy solar panels to power EVs and data centers moving into Texas.
"These facilities need a lot of power, and they need it quickly, and solar is the way they can accomplish part of their power needs," SEG Solar CEO Jim Wood explained.
To keep up with demand, SEG Solar opened a new facility in Tomball and plans to open another nearby next year. Facilities are looking for hundreds of workers.
One of them is Ailen Alvarez, who walked into SEG's solar manufacturing facility unsure what to make of it. "I was like, 'Wow, I don't know anything about this," Alvarez recalled. "I don't know anything about solar panels."
Two years later, she's not only learned a lot about panels but is now the training supervisor, educating others. "I did not think I would be in this position," Alvarez said.
Local economic leaders say the growing demand for solar panels is creating opportunities. And it's not just at this plant.
Tesla is eyeing a Fort Bend County location that the company claims could bring ten thousand jobs, according to records filed with the state. The Greater Houston Partnership said last month solar companies in Humble and Brookshire are looking to expand and hire hundreds more.
Texas Jobs Council member Lacy Wolfe said for decades these companies went overseas. However, he said many of them are coming back, or starting in our region.
"They can do it quicker, faster, easier, and a better product because of the types of technologies we have now," Wolfe explained.
Wolfe said if you're interested in the industry, an engineering degree could help. However, with companies looking to hire thousands, he said you may not need that much education, just a desire to work with your hands.
SEG Solar said that's the case there. "Some of them, there's no education needed other than a high school diploma that's needed, or any experience at all," SEG Solar HR manager Amy Quinones said.
An industry Workforce Solutions principal economist says it grew by 44% last year, pays $18 an hour, and could climb to more than $60. Growth Alvarez knows firsthand, which is why she said it's worth taking a shot even if you don't have much experience.
"I'm filled with a lot of knowledge about solar panels now, and I feel like I can train a lot of new employees that walk in here," Alvarez said.
On Thursday morning, our ABC13 Who's Hiring Job Fair will dive deeper into this topic on our 24/7 stream starting at 8 a.m. We also have a way for you to get one of these jobs or a job in another industry.
On Thursday, Aug. 20, Workforce Solutions is hosting an in-person job fair at its Northline career office, 4424 North Freeway, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.