How Renewable Energy Creates Jobs

The shift to clean energy not only helps address climate change but also facilitates economic growth and employment opportunities. New jobs prospects arise in the countries and industries embracing new sources of energy, whether solar, wind, hydroelectric, or geothermal. This article examines which types of jobs are added by renewable sources of energy, in what sectors, and explains the economic benefits.

The renewable energy transition isn't just about technology; it's about people. In the last five years, I have seen entry-level solar installation technicians grow into project managers earning six-figure salaries. This sector offers real career growth potential.

-- Sarah Chen, Director of Workforce Development at Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)

Introduction to Renewable Energy Job Creation

These sources of energy include solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal energy, and biomass energy, all of which derive from natural processes that are self-sustaining. Renewables offer an exciting area into which to channel interest and investment in clean energy, leading to strong job creation in the sector. Such renewable oriented development is observable in both advanced and emerging economies, which helps enhance economic growth and sustainability.

Renewable Energy Types

In the field of renewable energy, there are a variety of job opportunities in various important sectors, such as:

• Manufacturing: Involved in the creation of parts and systems for solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries.
• Installation and Maintenance: Activities include solar panel installation and maintenance of wind farms.
• Research and Development: Focused on the creation and enhancement of energy-efficient technologies to lower costs and boost productivity.
• Sales and Marketing: Deals in the promotion of renewable energy to end-users for residential, commercial, and industrial solutions.  
• Policy and Regulation: Focused on setting up and implementing policies that facilitate adoption of renewables and sustainability.  
• Education and Training: Focused on developing curricula for appropriate preparatory programs for renewables.

Job Creation in Solar Energy

Solar energy is among the rapidly developing segments of the renewable energy industry. Each of the segments in this industry offers employment opportunities at several different levels, these include:

• Manufacturing: solar energy companies employ a variety of personnel from engineering positions to plant workers on the production line.
• Installation: Setting up solar panels at different levels of use also requires the services of solar installers, electricians, and various types of construction workers.
• Maintenance: Once solar panels are installed, there needs to be sustained employment for maintenance and monitoring of solar installations.

As per International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the solar energy segment had around 4.9 million workers across the globe, with signs indicating rapid growth over the following years.

Creation of Employment in Wind Power

Wind energy has a tremendous contribution toward employment opportunities in the following ways:

• Manufacturing: The construction of wind turbines requires skilled workers like machinists, electrical engineers, and many other quality control personnel.
• Installation: The construction of wind farms requires the services of civil construction personnel, crane operators, and site managers for erecting the wind turbines.
• Maintenance: Optimization of the energy wind turbines produce relies heavily on the maintenance done, hence, they do need maintenance, repair and regular servicing.

According to Office for National Statistics; In 2019, the global wind energy sector supported about 1.2 million jobs - with continued expansion projected as more wind farms are developed.

What makes renewable energy jobs unique is their geographic distribution. Unlike traditional energy jobs concentrated in specific regions; solar and wind opportunities are spreading across rural and urban areas alike; creating more inclusive economic growth.

-- Dr. Michael Torres, Chief Economist at the International Renewable Energy Forum

Economic Multipliers and Indirect Jobs

The renewable energy sector not only creates direct jobs, but also generates significant indirect employment:

• Supply Chain Jobs: Renewable energy projects require materials and services from various industries; such as steel production, transportation, and construction.
• Induced Jobs: The increased economic activity from renewable energy projects stimulates job creation in local communities; including retail, healthcare, and education sectors.

Future Outlook for Renewable Energy Jobs

Seeing that countries are taking steps towards ensuring climate change issues are dealt with at a faster rate than before, it is indicative that the market for renewable energy would keep rising, a factor that is further bolstered by countries and NGOs pouring funds towards green infrastructure and research and development. This scenario creates positive expectations about the prospects of employment for green jobs in many parts of the world. This paper published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) explains How Renewable Energy Jobs are Changing the Employment Sector.

What are the requirements needed to work on renewable energy?

Depending on the role, the requirements for renewable energy positions vary greatly from one another. Less advanced positions, such as solar installers and wind turbine technicians, can be performed with a technical certificate or a two-year degree from credible bodies like North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Engineering positions typically require a bachelor’s degree in their respective fields such as electrical, mechanical, or environmental engineering. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has indicated that management positions usually have additional requirements:

• Project Managers: Bachelor's degree + PMP certification;
• Research Scientists: Master's or Ph.D. in relevant fields;
• Policy Analysts: Degree in environmental policy, law, or related field;
• Sales Professionals: Bachelor's degree + industry certifications;

Many employers also value practical experience through internships or apprenticeships. Professional certifications like LEED or specialized renewable energy certifications can significantly enhance job prospects.

Suggested Read: Top 15 Online Courses & Certifications for Environmental Careers

Which renewable energy sector offers the most job opportunities?

From consultancy observations, IRENA estimates there are now opportunities in nearly all industries, mainly because:

Solar Energy:  

An additional 700,000 jobs are expected to be created due to the rapid growth expected within the next annum, some of which include:

• Sector demand for installations of utilities and other solar powered facilities for homes and businesses remains high,
• New opportunities arise in solar storage technology;
• As manufacturing jobs surge due to the relative “protectionism” of domestic production, there is expected to be broad based employment in the utilities sector;

Wind Energy:

• The faster growth rate in the extension of offshore wind energy projects,
• Sustainable demand exists for highly skilled technicians,
• There is growth in engineers and project managers;

Other Promising Sectors:  

• Storable power has a 35% increase annually,
• Green hydrogen technology is expected to add about 200K jobs to the renewables sector before 2030;
• Biomass and Geothermal activity, there is mild growth of specialization;

According to Francesco La Camera, Director General of IRENA “Renewable energy appears to be already as one of the most powerful industries worldwide, in regards to employment production, with data showing a much greater return in term of jobs created per dollar invested to clean energy.

Conclusion

The backbones of every economy are sustainability jobs. Renewable energy provides a way to resolve the worrying issue of climate change and also is an engine for economic development and employment opportunities. We have also indicated prominently in prior sections the important role of education in equipping people with skills for sustainability and environmental jobs. From manufacturing and installing to researching and making policies the sustainable energy industry offers a plethora of employment opportunities. As we move forward with the quest for clean energy, space for growth and innovation in this sector will continue to expand alongside with creating room for ample job opportunities, thereby paving a way for a sustainable and progressive future.

Key stakeholders are better able to assist the shift towards a green economy through understanding the various aspects of job creation; made possible by renewable energy by achieving environmental goals and economic goals.