Green Job Trends and Resources

Job Trends Index

Listing of Recent Reports on Labor Forecasts for the Renewable Energy Industries

 Prepared by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council

 Since 2003, the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) has been tracking reports on labor forecasts and job trends.  This Index is usually updated once a year.  If you know of other reports that should be added, please contact IREC.   

 Recent Reports

•  Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency:  Economic Drivers for the 21^st Century (November 2007).  This report estimates the size and composition of the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency industries including technology, sales, tax revenue, jobs, occupations and skills.  It also forecasts the growth of these industries to 2030 under three scenarios.  Management Information Services, Inc. for the American Solar Energy Society. 
•  Defining Energy Technologies and Services (March 2008).  This report addresses the energy workforce needs by providing educators with information needed to develop relevant curriculum that prepares students for energy technologies and services careers. One of the most widely used tools in the report is the “Energy Technologies and Services” careers chart, which provides a snapshot of the occupational areas and jobs. The Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC). 
•  California’s Solar Industry Workforce (April 2008).  This report identifies solar firms in California, identifies solar occupations that are most relevant to community colleges, develops projections of future employment growth and defines skill sets and education requirements needed for solar occupations.  Economic Workforce Development through the California Community Colleges. 
• Green-Collar Jobs in America’s Cities (2008).  This publication outlines strategies for developing green-collar job initiatives and pathways out of poverty at the local level.  The report describes a 4-step approach for local initiatives.  It includes 14 case studies of successful green-collar job training or policy in 11 communities on both coasts, the Midwest, and the South.  Green For All, in partnership with the Apollo Alliance, Center for American Progress, and the Center on Wisconsin Strategy. 
• Growing Green-Collar Jobs: Energy Efficiency (December 2007).  This is a first in a series of reports that explore how sustainability can be an economic engine for New York City. Prepared for the New York City Apollo Alliance, each report in the series is based on secondary research and interviews with business, labor, civic, community and environmental leaders. Following reports will include Clean Energy: Renewable Energy systems (which will include photovoltaics and solar thermal).  Urban Agenda. 
•  Road to Energy Independence (October 2007).  This report documents the potential of a national Renewable Electricity Standard to create thousands of jobs making parts for wind turbines, solar panels and other clean energy technologies. There are summary reports for Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Washington and Wisconsin.  There are more detailed reports for California, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.  Produced by the Blue Green Alliance and the Renewable Energy Policy Project. 
•  Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Census (August 2007).  The census identified 556 entities in Massachusetts engaged in renewable energy, energy efficiency and demand response, consulting and support, and university research related to clean energy. Employment in these firms, most of which are young and small, was estimated at 14,400, with an annual projected job growth rate of 20 percent. Prepared by Global Insight of Lexington for the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative’s Renewable Energy Trust. 
•  Opportunity on the Horizon:  Photovoltaics in Texas (June 2007).  This white paper discusses the potential for economic growth in Texas through the creation of a solar power industry.  The report concludes that the state could create 123,000 new high-wage manufacturing and electrical services jobs by 2020 by actively moving toward solar power.  IC² Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. 

 Other Reports

•  The Work That Goes Into Renewable Energy (November 2001).  This report uses survey data to estimate direct jobs created by wind, photovoltaics, and biomass co-firing energy projects. Jobs are reported by skill type and occupational category.  Renewable Energy Policy Project.
•  Labor Calculator. Tool that calculates the number of direct jobs resulting from renewable energy development under Renewable Portfolio Standard legislation or other programs to accelerate renewable energy development. Renewable Energy Policy Project.
•  Wind Turbine Development: Location of Manufacturing Activity (September 2004).  This report shows that a substantial portion of the benefits from wind energy will result from manufacturing the equipment and will flow to those states and localities that either have or can develop the firms to supply the subcomponents. Renewable Energy Policy Project.
•  Solar PV Development:  Location of Economic Activity (January 2005).  Development of solar PV will lead to jobs and investment in areas of the country that manufacture the parts that make up a PV system, in addition to locations that install the systems.  Renewable Energy Policy Project.
•  Renewable Energy and State Economies (May 2003). The Council of State Governments.
•  Energy for Colorado’s Economy: Creating Jobs and Economic Growth with Renewable Energy.  (February 2007).  Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center. Travis Madsen, Timothy Telleen-Lawton, Will Coyne, and Matt Baker
•  Energizing Michigan’s Economy: Creating Jobs and Reducing Pollution with Energy Efficiency and Renewable Electric Power.  (February 2007).  Environment Michigan Research & Policy Center.  Travis Madsen, Timothy Telleen-Lawton and Mike Shriberg.
•  Putting Renewables to Work: How Many Jobs Can the Clean Energy Industry Generate? (April 2004). The Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory at University of California, Berkeley.  Daniel M. Kammen, Kamal Kapadia & Matthias Fripp. 
•  Component Manufacturing:  Ohio’s Future in the Renewable Energy Industry (October 2005).  Renewable Energy Policy Project State Report.
•  Component Manufacturing:  Wisconsin’s Future in the Renewable Energy Industry (January 2006). Renewable Energy Policy Project State Report.
•  The Economic and Environmental Impacts of Clean Energy Development in Illinois (June 2005).  University of Illinois at Chicago. 
•  Renewable Work:  Job Growth from Renewable Energy Development in the Mid-Atlantic (Spring 2004). NJPIRG Law and Policy Center, Dave Algoso and Emily Rusch, authors. 
•  Economic Impact Analysis of a 20% New Jersey Renewable Portfolio Standard (December 2004).  Center for Energy, Economic and Environmental Policy at Rutgers.
•  Economic Impact of Renewable Energy in Pennsylvania (March 2004).  Black & Veatch for the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies. 

State Incentives – www.dsireusa.org

The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) is a comprehensive source of information on state, local, utility, and selected federal incentives that promote renewable energy.  Incentives are listed by state and type.

Summary tables provide an overview of state, local and utility incentives available in each state with links to incentive summaries. The Financial Incentives table provides federal government incentive information as well. 

Color-coded maps have been developed using the DSIRE database to provide a geographical view of the availability of selected financial and regulatory incentives across the U.S.

Index last updated:  June 1, 2008

  the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) does not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information, apparatus, product or process that is referred to or linked to in this web site. Reference in this web site or in any links to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply IREC’s endorsement or recommendation. The views and opinions expressed in this web site do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Interstate Renewable Energy Council.