Stop Asian Hate: Valuing and Celebrating the AAPI Community in the Solar Industry

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is proud to call members of the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community our friends and partners in the effort to continue to build a strong and prosperous solar industry.

The recent and ongoing hate crimes against the AAPI community serve as a reminder of the persecution, harassment, and violence that AAPI people face every day. It is also a clear call to action for all of us to ensure Asian hate has no place in the solar industry. We all bear responsibility for what happens in our communities, and there are several things you can do to educate yourself, create a more inclusive work environment, and become a better ally.

The solar industry stands in solidarity with the AAPI community during AAPI Heritage Month and beyond. We welcome, value, and celebrate the contributions of AAPI workers in the solar industry.

We’re proud to report that over the last five years AAPI representation in the solar industry has increased by 18%. The solar industry also outpaces the overall economy when it comes to AAPI employment. While these are promising findings from the National Solar Jobs Census 2020, we still have a long way to go.

If we want to reach 100% clean electricity by 2035, the solar industry must add 900,000 workers. This is a major opportunity to create an effective and strong workforce that represents the diversity of our nation, but it won’t happen on its own. To get there, we must create the tools our companies need to help them hire and retain diverse talent and welcome more diverse businesses to the solar industry.

In the coming weeks, we look forward to launching our supplier diversity database, which will help to identify businesses owned by women, people of color, LGBTQ+ community members, and veterans working in the solar industry. And, in the fall at Solar Power International, we will be launching our diversity best practices certification program and hosting receptions for diverse communities to build and strengthen their relationships with each other and within the solar industry.

Diversifying our workforce is an urgent priority, and we must move faster and aim higher to create a strong and effective workforce. Our DEIJ Council and staff are working every day to develop new tools, resources, and programming to make this happen.

SEIA is dedicated to ensuring the values of equity and justice are reflected in all corners of the industry, and we look forward to continuing this important work.