Nearly 174,000 Americans worked in the solar industry in 2014, according to The U.S. Census Bureau. That's an increase of nearly a quarter since the year prior.

Within one year, the solar industry showed an employment increase of more than 31,000, translating to a growth of 21.8 percent since 2013. Employment in the solar industry flourished, increasing 20 times faster than the national employment rate of 1.1 percent.

The Solar Foundation, a nonprofit solar research and education organization, prepared a national job census report. The report showed that the solar installation sector is already larger than sectors of the fossil fuel industry. The solar installation sector, alone, created nearly 50 percent more jobs than oil and gas pipeline construction industry combined. And it exceeded the jobs created in crude petroleum and natural gas extraction industry. Based solely on last year's growth, solar employers are optimistic about 2015, anticipating an additional 36,000 jobs over the next year.

Economic growth and job creation have been stimulated by the solar industry. And the sector has grown 86 percent (approximately 81,000 jobs) in the last four years, said Andrea Luecke, President and Executive Director of The Solar Foundation. The census revealed that 1 out of every 78 new jobs produced in the U.S. over the past 12 months was created by the solar industry, which is 1.3 percent of all jobs.

The solar industry attracts highly skilled, well-paid professionals, and it strengthens the economy. The renewable energy industry exists at the critical intersection between energy, the economy, and the environment, according to Robert Reich, former U.S. Secretary of Labor and Professor of Public Policy at University of California, Berkeley. He also said, the nation's fastest growing energy source adds thousands of jobs each year.

SolarCity is the largest solar employer in the U.S., and it grants greater access to clean energy deployment, and offers affordable energy. Also, SunEdison is the largest renewable energy development company in the world, providing countless jobs internationally. Additionally, companies such as IKEA and General Motors have seen the economic and environmental benefit of renewable energy.

Earth Week began April 16, and continues until April 22, which is Earth Day.

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