INDIANAPOLIS - Approximately 1,400 Hoosiers were employed in the state’s solar industry last year — 100 fewer jobs than in 2013,according to a report released today by The Solar Foundation. Meanwhile, Ohio and Illinois saw strong solar jobs growth in 2014 and both rank in the top 12 states for solar-related employment.

The solar jobs numbers for Indiana were released as the Indiana General Assembly considers House Bill 1320, sponsored by Rep. Eric Koch, R-Bedford. The bill would have a devastating effect on the state’s solar businesses by making rooftop solar more expensive, rigging the game in favor of electric utility control, and restricting the freedom of Hoosier families and businesses to generate their own electricity.

“Indiana is falling behind in the race toward more solar job creation and more energy choice,” said Chris Rohaly, Co-Owner of Green Alternatives, Inc. a solar installation and design firm based in Kokomo. “Instead of allowing solar businesses to flourish, Indiana’s monopoly utilities have been doing everything they can to hold us back. Indiana needs to be a state that works for homegrown solar power. Our legislators should stand up for local jobs and energy freedom by protecting rooftop solar from utility monopoly attacks.”

More than 173,000 Americans work in the solar industry. Texas had solar jobs growth of 68.4 percent in 2014 and Nevada saw over 145 percent growth. Solar jobs are not confined to the sunny Southwest. Midwest states like Ohio and Illinois are U.S. solar jobs leaders as are Northeastern states such as New Jersey, Massachusetts, and New York, according to The Solar Foundation report.

“Solar businesses like ours are eager to grow jobs and provide energy freedom to Hoosiers,” said Ryan Zaricki, President of Whole Sun Designs Inc. in Wadesville. “In 2013, Indiana created nearly 1,000 new jobs in the solar industry. We cannot go backwards and close Indiana’s doors to an industry that is creating thousands of good-paying jobs all over the United States. Our state legislators need to get Indiana in the race for clean energy and stop attacking homegrown rooftop solar.”

House Bill 1320 would drive up the cost of rooftop solar and small-scale wind energy in Indiana, allowing monopoly utilities to continue their control of Hoosiers’ energy choices.

Specifically, HB 1320 would do the following:

■ Eliminate fair credit for solar power and small-scale wind and allow new monthly charges and interconnection fees, making these energy choices more expensive at a time when solar prices are falling and becoming more affordable for everyone.

■ Give special privileges to large business and industrial customers, who would not have to pay these new costs and fees if they want to generate their own electricity.

■ Allow utilities to increased fixed monthly charges for all customers, not just those with rooftop solar and small-scale wind. This will guarantee continued profits for private monopoly utilities, instead of forcing them to change their business practices and join the 21st century.

“Our business is providing energy freedom to Hoosier families, lowering their energy bills, reducing the risk of summer brownouts, and creating local jobs,” said Brad Morton, Owner of Morton Solar in Evansville. “House Bill 1320 would undermine our business and force us to look to other states for opportunities. The Indiana General Assembly needs to stand up for solar job creators and reject House Bill 1320.”