Clean energy has several power sector benefits. Jobs in green energy will increase as the industry grows and the DOE discovers its advantages. The U.S. meets energy needs and protects the environment via energy security and renewable energy research. Thus, nature’s power sources are creating a huge galore of jobs in clean energy. Clean energy originates from non-depleting sources like wind and sunshine. It reduces carbon emissions and pollutants. Clean energy is not new, but contemporary technology and greater knowledge of nature’s power sources have created many fascinating new renewable energy occupations and solar power jobs.
Renewable energy jobs are getting more sustainable and benefitting the environment and economy. Green energy occupations provide novel ways to improve environmental sustainability, making them appealing to environmentalists. Renewable energy job seekers might choose a Bachelor of Science in Sustainability to make a rewarding career within this industry.
Jobs in green energy: what do they entail?
Renewable energy careers in the United States have risen in recent years, and clean energy is one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy reports 6.4 million conventional energy, energy efficiency, and clean energy jobs. Communities are also proactive in adding renewable energy infrastructure, creating employment opportunities in this sunrise field.
Any clean energy from natural sources is renewable. Renewable energy careers or sustainable energy jobs include the following:
- Solar
- Wind
- Hydropower
- Biomass
- Geothermal, and
- Tidal power.
All these are generating a plethora of lucrative and rewarding job options. Professionals in this sector make and repair electric cars, design energy-efficient structures, and create bioenergy initiatives.
Major types of jobs in green energy
Renewable energy professionals and workers have 5 fast-growing employment options:
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Solar Installer
Solar installation is one of the fastest-growing sustainable energy jobs. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 51% employment growth for solar installers between 2019 and 2029, compared to 4% for all fields. These green energy professionals install solar photovoltaic systems in teams in various places. They install solar modules and solar panels according to house and building construction and ensure compliance with legislation. They also maintain solar or photovoltaic systems. Solar installers earned $44,890 on average in 2019, according to the BLS. Bachelor of sustainability graduates may become solar installation managers and earn higher incomes.
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Wind Turbine Tech
Wind turbine technicians are another fast-growing industry, with the BLS estimating a 61% increase in employment between 2019 and 2029, more than 15 times the labor market average. Wind turbine technicians maintain towers, diagnose mechanical systems, and gather research data. This job requires the following prerequisites:
- Communication
- Physical strength
- Troubleshooting
- Detail, and
- Mechanical understanding.
Wind turbine technicians earned $52,910 on average in 2019, according to the BLS. Managers of wind energy operations or projects normally need a bachelor’s degree.
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Construction Manager – one of the most coveted jobs in green energy
Not all construction occupations incorporate renewable energy. However, managers may create alternative power plants or build sustainable buildings. Construction managers oversee projects from start to finish, although their duties vary. They set budgets, employ subcontractors, collaborate with construction professionals and engineers, and enforce safety and legal rules. The position requires the following:
- Decision-making
- Time management
- Leadership
- Analytical thinking, and
- Technical abilities.
A bachelor’s degree and building experience are normally required for management. The BLS expects the industry to expand 8% between 2019 and 2029, and the median construction manager pay was $95,260 in 2019.
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Electrical Engineer
Alternative energy electrical engineers work in hydropower plant operations, solar panel development, and electric vehicle development. Electrical engineers are in demand due to alternative energy development and power infrastructure upgrades. The median electrical engineer pay was $98,530 in 2019, and the BLS expects positions to expand 3% between 2019 and 2029. Most jobs demand a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s makes you more competitive.
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Biochemist
Biochemists generate renewable biofuels. They may also develop novel chemical spill cleanup methods or environmental protection methods. The median pay for biochemists was $94,490 in 2019, and the BLS expects positions to grow 4% between 2019 and 2029. Some jobs in green energy demand an advanced degree; however, many others are open to bachelor’s degree holders.
Concluding Remarks
Using solar energy is nothing new. Many creative renewable energy vocations are becoming more important as technology advances. Jobs in renewable energy are demanding, have a good outlook, and help the environment. Find out how an online Bachelor of Science in Sustainability might help you become a renewable energy specialist. Climate Science, Ecosystem Studies, Sustainable Agriculture, Environmental Law and Policy, and Issues in Sustainability Design at different universities in the United States prepare students for interesting clean energy jobs.
