Jobs, jobs, jobs. It's what we all care about now, isn't it? Your job, your neighbor's job, and your legislators and local politicians. They all care about jobs too, especially their own.

And that's why pro-coal, oil, and gas politicians and their Fox News pundits and talk radio lackeys are always framing solar and renewable energy legislation as "job killers." 

Tack on a dollar on an electric bill to fund solar rebates so that all of us can breath cleaner air, and fossil fuel lobbyists yell "A dollar a month? That's a job killer! In this challenging economy, no one can afford an extra dollar a month to fund solar rebates!" Really? Fine. But then in a few years when the economy has fully recovered, they will subsequently yell, “But we’ve just recovered! Put an extra dollar on an electric bill? Do you want to create another recession?”

There will always be a "job-killing" excuse, but they never look at the job creation point of view, do they?

Fear, fear, fear, doubt and fear.  It’s a predictable, but effective tactic, but there is an antidote to this cheap shortsightedness, and that is to shine a light on …wait for it….jobs.

Some of you already do the suggestions below in a small way, but let's make it more common and more personal and more widespread. So starting yesterday, let's include promoting the solar jobs you have created — large or small — and repeat this theme over and over again… and over again.

Doing so across the solar and renewable energy industry will give well-meaning legislators cover so that they can point to your local company and say the magic word "Jobs!" whenever some coal or oil lover says that the utility can't support re-funding (or starting) local rebate and incentive programs.

Specifically, here are some easy-to-do suggestions:

  • Publicize how solar (and your company) are helping the economy. According to The Solar Foundation and its 2010 solar job census report, the solar job growth rate is expected to be 26% between August 2010 and August 2011. Work this fact into your sales pitches. Thank customers for helping your solar/RE company to create more jobs. Write a blog post about how solar helps the economy as well as the environment.
  • Write a press release and/or blog post every time you hire someone. Sounds simple, but this is great publicity and may get the attention of your local press. Include a quote from the new person about working in the solar industry. Include his/her job function. Also highlight your current number of employees and your own job growth rate over the past year. You might also include, separately, the other jobs you support through your subcontractors, consultants, freight companies, attorneys, etc.
  • Publish your job numbers on your web site.  Just like McDonald’s has “Over a billion served” on its signs, add a simple,  “Thanks to you, X solar jobs have been created since (years in business)” to your web site “home page,” “about us” or “contact us” page. You could also put the same statement on business cards, brochures, power point presentations, advertisements, etc. Even if it’s a small number, do it. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about creating one job. That new employee certainly won’t be embarrassed. If you want to be optimistic, add “and more to come.” If you have high existing job numbers, get your graphics department to create a thermometer with a solar jobs goal at the top. Update this graphic with net new hires.
  • Use social networking to publish job openings and hires. If you’re doing social networking, advertise job openings on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin. When people are hired, put out a welcome message. “Please join me in welcoming Joe/Jane to our solar team as our new solar widget director. Joe’s hiring brings a total of x American solar jobs to [our town.]

These are small but important solar public relations tactics.  Customers may not directly comment to you about it, but believe me, everyone in America wants this economy to turn around. Your customers may not say it explicitly to you, but I’m sure they will feel good about supporting a job-creating company…and industry.

As always, it’s quite simple to UnThink … your solar marketing and advocacy.

Tor Valenza a.k.a. “Solar Fred” advises solar companies on marketing, communications, and public relations. Contact him through UnThink Solar or follow him on Twitter @SolarFred.

Photo:Flickr/UOPowerShift09.