An analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data has found that more than 2.5 million Americans are employed in clean energy, slightly more than work for its largest single employer, the U.S. federal government.
The analysis conducted by BW Research Partnership with the Solar Foundation, Clean Energy Trust, and Advanced Energy Economy found the largest number of jobs in “energy efficiency positions related to efficient lighting, manufacturing efficient appliances, and making advanced materials,” CleanTechnica reports.
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Roughly 300,000 people work in solar and another 77,000 in wind. Electric vehicles employ about 55,000, with hybrids close behind at 53,000.
“Clean energy is no longer a niche business—it’s a big-time job creator,” clean sector human resources consultant Dan Smolen told CleanTechnica. “Our lawmakers need to realize that—and put policies in place, right now, to help the sector grow even more.”
