Economic impact potential of solar photovoltaics in Illinois

Illinois ranks nineteenth among all states in total installed solar PV capacity as of the first quarter in 2014 [17]. The authors' prior work [14] assessed the technical potential of large-scale PV system integration in Illinois by examining hourly demand data supplied by the two transmission organizations (MISO and PJM) in the state. Depending on how technical potential is measured, three different PV system capacity options were suggested by 2025 for Illinois; 2292 MW, 2714 MW and 11,265 MW. In the present study, we seek to examine the jobs and total economic impact of the three technical potentials derived in the previous study. Based upon the Jobs and Economic Development Impact (JEDI) modeling analysis, the employment impacts during the construction period vary from 26,754 to 131,779 job years when implementing the PV system capacity options in Illinois. The employment impacts during the operating years vary from 1223 to 6010 job years. In order to achieve these jobs impacts, Illinois must encourage the development of a robust PV supply chain within the state's borders and enact policies similar to other states that have experienced greater growth.