Unveiling the Renewable Energy Industry: Career Insights

Renewable energy provides about 20% of the United States’ electricity with wind, water, and solar. For the past four years, solar energy has been the largest contributor of new added capacity – 36% in 2019, 41% in 2020, 43% in 2021, and 46% in 2022, with massive contributions already attributed in the first quarter of 2023 (54%). While it is not the largest generation source (hydropower and wind power are still leading by about 405 billion kWh), the increasing growth rate indicates solar is on its way to leading the renewable resource industry.  

According to SEIA, the solar industry has experienced an average annual growth rate of 24% over the past decade. This has been in big part due to the cost of solar falling by 50% over the last decade, and government incentives helping to reduce the cost of residential systems further, and growing interest in cleaner and more resilient energy among consumers. The residential solar market has experienced six years of consecutive record growth, growing by 40% from 2021 to 2022.  

The Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law in August 2022, is the largest renewable energy bill in United States history. This bill directs $369 billion towards renewable energy solutions and environmental justice initiatives and is expected to have huge workforce implications. According to an analysis conducted by the BlueGreen Alliance, the IRA will result in 9 million green jobs over the next decade, with 5 million direct and indirect renewable energy jobs, and 1.7 million jobs directly related to solar, wind, and other renewable energy installation, operations, and maintenance jobs.  

Many of these job opportunities will exist in trades roles. Solar Installers are one of the fastest growing occupations in the country, expected to grow by 27% between 2021 – 2031, compared to the average occupational growth rate of 7-8% over the same time. In addition, electricians are in high demand as the country moves towards electrification. With more electricians retiring each year than being replaced, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that across all industries, including solar, we will need to hire 80,000 electricians per year until 2031 to backfill retirements and exits. 

With federal and state incentives, and government electrification goals, the career opportunities in solar energy and other renewable sectors are fast growing and numerous.