Study Reveals Pay Disparities and Lack of Benefits for Solar Workers in New York, Especially Among Minorities.

A study by Cornell University has found significant disparity in pay and benefits among solar installation and maintenance workers in New York. The study surveyed over 260 solar installation workers, with the national median annual wage for construction trade workers at $52,000 and $23.46 per hour. Most of the respondents were nonunion, full-time workers directly employed by solar companies. The report found significant differences in compensation and benefits, with nearly 60% of workers surveyed reporting having no benefits. It also found that Black and Hispanic workers were more likely than white workers to report not receiving benefits from their employment. About 34% of survey respondents said they are paid on a per-panel-installed basis, which the report warned is a safety and quality concern. The findings also highlighted potential links between piece rate pay and minimum wages across the solar sector.