Josh Stein's Vision: How North Carolina Is Becoming a Clean Energy Paradise for All

In High Point, North Carolina, a quiet revolution is taking shape. Opsun Corporation, a Canadian manufacturer of solar panel mounting structures, has chosen Guilford County for its first U.S. production facility, announcing a $9.3 million investment and 20 new jobs. This move is no small feat. It signals a growing confidence in North Carolina’s clean energy economy, a state that has become a magnet for forward-thinking companies betting on a sustainable future. Governor Josh Stein hailed the decision as proof of the state’s allure, citing its skilled workforce and strategic East Coast location. Yet, this moment is more than a local win; it’s a testament to what deliberate, forward-looking policy can achieve when leaders prioritize people and the planet over short-term gains.

The announcement landed like a ray of sunlight breaking through a storm. North Carolina, already the fourth-largest state for installed solar capacity, is cementing its role as a clean energy powerhouse. Opsun’s decision to build in High Point reflects a broader trend: clean energy is not just an environmental necessity but an economic engine. With average salaries of $63,015, surpassing Guilford County’s norm, these jobs promise stability for families and a ripple effect of prosperity across the region. For a state battered by economic shifts and natural disasters, this investment offers a lifeline, proving that sustainability and opportunity can go hand in hand.

Contrast this with the tired rhetoric of those who cling to fossil fuels, arguing that dirty energy is the only path to economic security. Their vision feels like a stubborn refusal to read the room. The data is clear: clean energy investments in North Carolina have pumped $32 billion into the economy since 2018, supporting nearly 110,000 jobs and outpacing the state’s overall job growth by over 50%. Opsun’s arrival is a rebuke to the naysayers, a concrete example of how green innovation can deliver tangible benefits to workers and communities. It’s a story of progress, grounded in the kind of pragmatic optimism that defines North Carolina’s trajectory.

Opsun’s decision didn’t happen by accident. It’s the fruit of years of strategic policymaking, from North Carolina’s pioneering Clean Smokestacks Act in 2002 to the bipartisan House Bill 951, which set bold carbon reduction goals. Add to that the federal Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark piece of legislation that has unlocked billions in clean energy investments nationwide. These policies have transformed North Carolina into a hub for renewable energy, drawing companies like Opsun with a potent mix of incentives, infrastructure, and a workforce ready to meet the demands of a green economy. The $40,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund, tied to job creation and investment targets, underscores the state’s commitment to making clean energy a cornerstone of its future.

This approach stands in stark contrast to the policies championed by those who prioritize deregulation and fossil fuel subsidies. Critics of clean energy often argue that government incentives distort markets or burden taxpayers. But the evidence tells a different story. Since the Inflation Reduction Act passed, North Carolina has seen $10.2 billion added to its gross state product during clean energy project construction, with $593.5 million in annual economic benefits once projects are operational. These are not abstract numbers; they translate into paychecks, school funding, and infrastructure improvements. The idea that we should scale back incentives in favor of fossil fuels ignores the reality: clean energy is creating jobs and wealth at a pace fossil fuels can’t match.

The broader context only strengthens the case. Nationally, the U.S. has added 52.3 gigawatts of domestic solar manufacturing capacity, enough to meet most of the country’s demand. This surge, driven by federal tax credits and tariffs, is reducing reliance on China’s dominance of the global supply chain, which controls over 80% of solar manufacturing. By investing in companies like Opsun, North Carolina is not just boosting its economy but contributing to a more resilient, sustainable national energy system. Those who dismiss these efforts as government overreach fail to grasp the stakes: a future where energy security and environmental health are intertwined.

At the heart of Opsun’s move is North Carolina’s workforce, nearly 470,000 strong in manufacturing alone. The state’s clean energy sector has grown by 4.2% in 2023, adding jobs in construction, professional services, and manufacturing at a rate that outstrips the broader economy. These are not just jobs; they’re careers, offering wages and benefits that rival or exceed national averages. Partnerships with institutions like Guilford Technical Community College and programs like GuilfordWorks ensure that workers are equipped with the skills needed for roles in solar manufacturing and beyond. This focus on workforce development is a model for how to transition to a green economy without leaving workers behind.

Yet, the path isn’t without challenges. The clean energy sector faces a skills gap, with demand for trained technicians and engineers outpacing supply. North Carolina is tackling this head-on, with initiatives like the U.S. Climate Alliance’s Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative, which aims to support one million new apprenticeships by 2035. These efforts prioritize inclusion, ensuring that women, people of color, and workers from fossil fuel industries have access to training and opportunities. Compare this to the hollow promises of those who defend coal and oil, industries that have shed jobs for decades while offering little in the way of retraining or hope for displaced workers. The choice is clear: invest in people and innovation, or cling to a fading past.

Opsun’s factory is a small but powerful piece of a larger puzzle. Over the next decade, North Carolina’s clean energy sector is projected to generate $103 billion in new spending and 32,100 jobs annually. Rural communities, often left behind in economic booms, are reaping the benefits, with the state ranking first nationwide for clean energy jobs and investments in these areas. This is what progress looks like: a state leveraging its resources to build a future that works for everyone, from urban centers to small towns. It’s a blueprint for what America can achieve when leaders embrace clean energy as a moral and economic imperative.

The alternative, peddled by those who double down on fossil fuels, is a dead end. Their arguments, rooted in fear of change or nostalgia for a bygone era, crumble under scrutiny. Clean energy is not a pipe dream; it’s a reality delivering results today. North Carolina’s success, exemplified by Opsun’s investment, shows that we can create jobs, protect the environment, and strengthen communities all at once. The question isn’t whether we can afford to invest in clean energy; it’s whether we can afford not to. As the planet warms and economic pressures mount, North Carolina’s path offers hope, a reminder that bold action can light the way to a better tomorrow.