The most recent U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER) demonstrates that the traditional energy and energy efficiency sectors today employ approximately 6.4 million Americans. These employee numbers increased in 2017 by just under 5 percent, adding over 300,000 net new jobs, roughly 14% of all jobs created in the country. Recruitment for solar jobs and enterprises is on the rise, with close to 500,000 individuals working, in whole or in part, for solar firms. More than half of those employees spend the majority of their time on solar. An additional 102,000 workers work at wind firms across the nation.
In 2016, more U.S. employees worked in solar power, generating electricity, than in coal, gas and oil energy combined. The market for solar power continues to mature, and we have seen a marked increase in demand at all levels, from residential rooftop installations to utility-scale arrays. As the cost of solar photovoltaic falls, the market creates immense opportunities – as well as challenges – for the solar industry. Any effort to place the right people with the right company rests on a clear understanding of the shifting market and the advancing technologies. Energy recruitment becomes an essential element.
No one should be surprised that clean-energy workers, such as solar-panel installers and wind-turbine technicians, are the only occupation group that is expected to double by 2026. Large subsidies on wind and solar power have boosted the clean energy industry; now state and local governments must pass supportive legislation to promote renewable resources and the jobs to support them. Any venture in this rapidly growing market needs solid and responsive energy executive search firms.