Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

The document details job estimates for various energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors in the U.S., citing data from government agencies and industry associations. It distinguishes between direct, indirect, and induced jobs, noting that energy efficiency employment is often embedded in larger industries. Specific figures are provided for wind, solar, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass sectors, with total renewable energy job estimates ranging from 853,370 to 953,370.

• Energy efficiency employment varies by activity, with a 2010 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory study estimating that every $1 million spent produces between 2.5 and 8.9 person-years of employment. The highest employment rates per $1 million are found in low income weatherization and insulation, both at 8.9, while Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) are the lowest at 2.5.
• Appliance, equipment, and lighting standards were estimated in a 2011 study to have generated 340,000 jobs in 2010, linked to $34 billion in energy savings.
• The U.S. solar industry saw significant growth, employing 93,000 workers in 2010, which was nearly a 100 percent increase from the 50,000 workers employed in 2009.
• Employment in the wind industry is estimated to have declined from 85,000 Americans in 2010 to approximately 75,000 people, attributed to the economic downturn and a lack of long-term federal energy policy.
• Other renewable energy sectors include hydropower with 200,000-300,000 direct jobs, the ethanol industry with approximately 70,400 direct jobs and 400,677 indirect and induced jobs, and the biodiesel industry which maintained 51,893 jobs in 2008.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2011). Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. https://www.eesi.org/files/jobs_reee_060111.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency. 2011. https://www.eesi.org/files/jobs_reee_060111.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency |date=June 2011 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/jobs_reee_060111.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2011jobs, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{Jobs in Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency}}, institution = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2011}, month = jun, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/jobs_reee_060111.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }