What is a Green Job in the Solar Industry?

Posted on Jun 4, 2009 | Comments (0)

With all of the buzz around Green Jobs, one member of CHANGE, the Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition (SVTC) decided to create The Green Jobs Platform for Solar. The platform outlines a green job as one that goes beyond the traditional definition of simply being good for the climate, but one that is healthy for the environment broadly as well as the worker’s health and takes into account the entire lifecycle of the job.  

Unfortunately, solar panels are full of toxic materials, and many are produced overseas. If the job is truly green, it has to be that way from start to finish. 

Workers’ rights, their health and safety, their right to know what materials they are handling, and a living wage must be guaranteed at all stages of manufacturing, installation and recycling. The company must not pollute communities with toxic chemicals or with low salaries.

By Lauren Ornelas, Silicon Valley Toxics Coalition