The renewable energy industry is growing 12% faster than all the US economy, opening up a range of lucrative jobs on all levels. Here’s our list of renewable energy jobs you can apply for today.
The oil and gas industries seemed to have reached their peak in 2012, and jobs related to fossil fuels extraction and support activities have been declining ever since.
This means people are looking for new job opportunities, and today, according to Greenmatch, the renewable energy industry records a 12% faster growth than the whole United States economy.
Businesses have also realized that sustainable innovations are key to long-term performance and success, so investments in the renewable sector have the potential to provide for more job opportunities than the fossil fuel industry.
To help you see which of those job opportunities would be perfect for you, we put together a list of the most promising renewable energy jobs.
The Best 21 Renewable Energy Jobs
1. Wind Turbine Technician
As a wind turbine technician, your job will be to install, maintain, and repair wind turbines.
This requires you to work mainly outdoors, in confined spaces, and often at great heights.
This is one of the fastest-growing careers in the country you can do with a high-school diploma.
Below you can see an excellent video of a wind turbine technician at work.
2. Energy Transition Technical Specialist
You’ll be responsible for the development and delivery of clean energy alternatives and solutions as well as fossil fuel reduction plans
Job ads for this high-level job require a minimum of 15 years of experience in the renewables market, a BS or MS degree in engineering, and a Professional Engineer License.
3. Renewable Energy Asset Management Intern
If you join an asset management team, you’ll have the opportunity to oversee different aspects of the renewable energy facilities during operation, including contractual compliance and administration, operational review, and analysis.
For this, you must be enrolled in a BS program, in your sophomore year or later, and have a strong understanding of renewable energy.
4. Energy Analyst
Energy analysts in the renewables industry conduct audits and on-site renewable energy feasibility assessments, diagnostics, and data analysis. [1]
You’ll also be expected to prepare energy efficiency assessment reports based on your findings.
Apart from excellent analytical and presentation skills, employers need at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, or environmental science.
Find companies where you can apply as an energy analyst here.
5. Energy Law Associate
In this job type, you’ll work on high-end energy matters, including renewable energy and clean tech spaces. You’ll also interact directly with clients, and be given the training and resources to begin developing your own client base.
Apart from a background in the energy, environmental, or technology industries, you’ll need a Juris Doctor and valid membership in your State Bar.
6. Junior Applications Engineer
If you have a bachelor’s degree in engineering, an excellent understanding of renewable energy, and have a working knowledge of AutoCAD, you may as well land a full-time job as an applications engineer.
In this job, you’ll work with engineering design themes and field install service teams to come up with the best solutions for improving the installation efficiency of renewable power systems.
7. Field Intern
This is a job where you’ll be working with a variety of staff at all levels while completing construction change orders, assisting purchase orders, and assisting with subcontractor meetings and correspondence.
Field internships allow you to receive professional training in a variety of areas that include field operations and management, safety, electrical engineering, and quality management.
8. Sales Intern
As a sales intern, you’ll be working with the management team to help develop sales presentations, contact potential clients, determine their needs, and explain how your company’s renewable energy product can help them. Although this is an entry-level job, employers look for a candidate with a degree in sales, business, or marketing.
9. Sales Consultant
As a direct sales representative, sales consultants are champions of lead generation and client acquisitions. Their job is to help homeowners replace their money-leaking and polluting utility power so they can transition to clean solar power.
This position calls for an ambitious individual with excellent communication skills and at least a high-school diploma.
10. Solar Sales Rep
Working as a solar sales representative, you’ll generate leads and create home sales presentations, providing homeowners with information on alternative solutions to their energy needs.
For this, you must show strong verbal communication skills and a professional demeanor.
11. Energy Efficiency Consultant
In this job, you’ll provide energy systems management services to customers of electric and natural gas energy conservation projects.
As an energy efficiency consultant, you’ll also need to ensure that all projects and programs are accurate and in compliance with regulatory guidelines.
In a way, the job is similar to that of a weatherization expert, one of the top climate change jobs in the world.
Adopting renewables creates jobs and boosts local income in both developed and developing energy markets.
Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency
12. Renewable Energy Account Executive
You are an ideal candidate for this if you can provide a track record of closing software deals in the renewable energy niche, have 5+ years of experience as an account executive, and if you’re okay with traveling 50% of the time.
Excellent presentation skills are a must.
13. Solar Energy Advisor
You’ll be the primary contact for homeowners who are looking for energy reduction opportunities.
In this job, you’ll be guiding them through the entire client journey, from researching to shopping, to installing and interconnecting.
You’ll need a proven sales experience with technical products and energy industry measurement techniques.
14. Renewable Energy Designer
In this job type, you’ll help create high-end residential and small commercial designs including solar and renewable power systems, energy storage, estate scale battery backup, and electric pool heating.
Job ads look for a candidate that has at least 3-5 years of solar design experience.
Below you can see how does a renewable energy designer, specifically a solar energy designer, actually works.
15. Solar Project Developer
As a solar project developer, you’ll be responsible for project management and project development from site acquisition to construction, financing, and handover to construction.
For this, you’ll need five or more years of experience in power plant development projects while a master’s degree in real estate, engineering, or business is a plus.
What's great about solar project development is it's also one of the best paying jobs in energy.
16. Renewables Estimator
In this job, you’ll be developing and completing utility-scale solar and battery storage system estimates.
The minimum requirements for this job are a high school diploma or GED and 3-5 years of estimating experience in the solar industry.
17. Grid Integration Engineer
The job of a grid integration engineer is to oversee energy storage product design and develop optimized standard plants that exceed the client’s financial and operational expectations.
You’re an ideal candidate if you have 3-5 years of experience in the energy storage or renewable energy generation design, and have at least a BS in electrical engineering.
18. Wind Operations Leader
Your job will be to work with customers and other stakeholders in assessing and identifying new opportunities for growth and manage your team’s workload.
Apart from a business-savvy mindset, for this job, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree and at least 5 years in the utility-scale wind power industry.
19. Communications Manager
Communications managers work with scientists, engineers, and data analysts to effectively translate, communicate, and publish scientific research and company missions to wide audiences and stakeholders.
Employers look for creativity, initiative, and strategic thinking as well as a BA in science writing or science journalism, marketing, or communications.
Search for communications jobs in the renewable energy industry here.
20. Master Planner
As a master planner, you will manage the master production schedule preceding actual operations.
You’ll also be advising the procurement of material requirements and provide inventory analysis for projected cost expenditures.
This job requires an AA or BA degree or equivalent plus 4 years in related fields.
21. Director Of Solar Acquisitions
You will work closely with other team members to conceive and structure investment opportunities, acquisitions, partnerships, and financing solutions in different solar markets.
A candidate needs a bachelor’s or master’s degree in business administration, finance, or engineering, and at least 5 years of relevant experience.
FAQ
Yes, renewable energy is a good career choice. More and more governments and organizations support green energy projects which creates a high demand for qualified professionals in this sector.
To work with renewable energy you need at least a high-school diploma or GED. Careers you can pursue with this degree include the sales consultant and renewables estimator. However, for most managerial/analyst positions you need a bachelor’s degree.
Currently, there are more than 11.5 million renewable energy jobs across the world. This data was provided by the latest report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Yes, solar energy is a good career. Compared to many other fields, the starting pay is highly competitive, and there is also room for growth — the more experience you have the more money you can make.
To start a renewable energy business, first, you need to determine what type of business you wish to start. You also need to find out as much as you can about the renewable energy sector you want to enter.
With a master’s degree in renewable energy, you can apply to several high-level job positions such as the solar project developer, energy transition specialist, renewable energy analyst, and director of solar acquisitions.
Yes, renewable energy is a growing industry. Renewables have the fastest growth in the electricity sector, with estimates of providing 30% of power demand in 2023, which is a 24% increase from 2017. In this period, renewables are expected to cover more than 70% of global electricity generation growth.
Yes, renewable energy creates more jobs. Global plans to cut carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 depend on building plants that generate clean energy, which in return requires creating 430,000 additional renewable energy job positions.
Yes, renewable energy is profitable. Nearly all of the costs of solar and wind energy are related to setting up the infrastructure needed to capture it, and these installation costs have been falling rapidly over the past five years.
The largest renewable companies are Iberdrola SA (IBDRY), Vestas Wind Systems, Siemens Gamesa, Orsted A/S, JinkoSolare Holding, Canadian Solar, First Solar, and Brookfield Renewable Partners, according to Investopedia.
Conclusion
Careers in the renewable industry are experiencing a spike in popularity, with many lucrative roles expected to be in demand by many world-class technology companies.
What is more, the industry offers well-paying entry-level, mid-level, and high-level job opportunities, so there are good chances you can land a job based on your skills and education.
If you’re interested in a career in the renewable energy sector, check out our Green Jobs Board now to search for renewable energy job ads that match your location and job preferences for free.
Want to search for the latest jobs by category, by city, or by state? Find more sustainability jobs here.
References
- https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy18osti/68913.pdf
- https://www.vault.com/industries-professions/professions/r/renewable-energy-engineers
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