With renewable energy sources becoming more popular, the main question is whether or not this is an excellent industry to get into as a career.
It seems that renewable energy sources aren’t going to deplete; they are just going to become more popular.
It seems that a career in renewable energy is a great route to take.
The industry is estimated to grow 12% faster than the rest of the U.S. economy, making it a very stable job opportunity.
There is a need for so many different skills in renewable energy that you will very likely be able to find something that works for you.
In 2018, the industry grew by adding more than 100,000 jobs. In 2019, almost 500,000 jobs were created.
At the end of 2020, more than 3 million people were employed in a job relating to renewable energy.
As the need for workers in renewable energy increases, so does the wage for these positions.
Potential in the Renewable Energy Industry
It is estimated that the number of employees working in the renewable energy industry can reach up to 24 million across the world by 2030.
It’s also estimated that world investment can climb as high as $1.3 trillion by the same year.
The majority of jobs in this industry are available in Germany, the United States, Brazil, Japan, India, and China.
Out of all the different types of renewable energy sources, the majority of the jobs are in solar energy.
What Type of Jobs Can You Find in Renewable Energy?
There are many different types of jobs that you can find in the renewable energy industry.
You can be a technician, analyst, lawyer, engineer, sales representative, and a number of other professions.
There is no lack of diversity, so it should be easy to find something that fits your needs and skills.
Technician
There is always the need for technicians to install, maintain, and repair the equipment necessary for the energy to work.
You will easily find technician jobs in the wind energy and solar energy industries as they have turbines and solar panels that need to be taken care of.
These jobs require a lot of time outside and working at great heights. If you are sensitive to heat or cold, or you are afraid of heights, this might not be the best job in the industry for you.
However, the best part of this job is that you don’t even need a college degree, just a high school diploma.
Energy Analyst
An energy analyst is responsible for conducting audits and performing on-site assessments to see how feasible it is to install renewable energy at that location.
A report of findings will be required after the inspection of the site.
You will need at least a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, architecture, or engineering for this job.
Law Associate
As a lawyer for companies in the renewable energy industry, you will work with energy matters surrounding the operation of the renewable energy source.
Direct interaction with clients is a must, and you will have to receive special training to develop your own clientele.
It would help if you had a law degree and a background in environmental technologies or energy.
Sales Representative
Everything needs a sales representative, even renewable energy.
Working as a sales rep, you will need to generate leads and create presentations to show clients who are potentially interested in clean energy.
This job is mainly for solar panels but can be for wind turbines at a corporate level.
Engineer
This job will vary based on the different types of renewable energy.
An engineer for solar energy needs to have different skills than an engineer for a wind turbine.
One specific engineering job is called a Grid Integration Engineer.
This requires that you develop a design for storage of energy and placement of equipment needed in a way that exceeds the client’s expectations.
For an engineering job, you need to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a field related to engineering.
It is also required to have between three and five years of experience in renewable energy design or energy storage.
Do Renewable Energy Jobs Pay Well?
Renewable energy does pay decently well.
Higher demand for the jobs will result in a higher pay. For example, in 2019 the average wage of a renewable energy employee was $23.89, more than $4.00 more than the national median wage that was $19.14.
In 2019, solar energy workers earned about $24.48 per hour.
Those working in coal, petroleum, and natural gas earned around $24.37 per hour in the same year.
What Should I Study for a Career in Renewable Energy?
If you know you want to work in renewable energy after you graduate from college, you can make it easier by choosing a major that will get you closer.
Most jobs will require a bachelors or a masters, so be sure to choose a college that will have the degrees you are interested in.
There are several different majors you can pick.
The most recommended degrees are in Earth Sciences, Geology, Ecology, Geoscience, Atmospheric Physics., Environmental Engineering, and Renewable Energy.
These choices will vary based on location and college.
If you want to be extra sure that you are studying the right major, you can research the company you hope to work with or the job you want.
There will be information explaining exactly what is expected of you for the career.
Summary
Renewable energy is an industry that is growing incredibly quick.
By 2030, it is estimated that there will be about 24 million workers employed across the different types of renewable energy sources.
It is also estimated that this industry will grow at a rate that is 12% faster than other industries in the world.
There are several different types of jobs available in the renewable energy industry ranging from engineer to lawyer to sales representative, and many more.
If you know that you want to work in this industry, you can prepare and study the right major in college.
As the demand for this industry increases, so does the pay, meaning this industry is a steady one to get.
