New Job Opportunities in Renewable Energy
Learn How to 'Green' Your Career
Renewable energy means promising job opportunities for today’s trade workers
As fossil fuel prices continue to soar, individuals, corporations, and municipalities are
looking for ways to save on their energy bills thus creating a robust "Green industry." Clean Edge,
which has been tracking the growth of clean-energy markets since 2000, reports a 40 percent
increase in revenue growth for solar photovoltaics (PV), wind, biofuels, and fuel cells in 2007 in
the U.S., up from $55 billion in 2006 to $77.3 billion in 2007.
Photovolatics utilizes energy from the sun to generate power to homes and provides
electricity on site. According to the Solar Energy Industry Association, solar PV installations in
the United States grew 45 percent in 2007. Many businesses and individuals are becoming more aware
of the possibility of using this type of energy due to the increase in tax credits for wind-and
solar-power.
It is also becoming more widely recognized that homes with solar equipment have lower energy
bills. Based on an analysis of utility bills, energy costs in a California development of solar
homes were 14 to 54% lower than a comparison community.
This means there is an increasing need of individuals with skills in this field.
According to a November 2007 report commissioned by the American Solar Energy Society, the current
tally of 8.5 million US jobs in renewable-energy and energy-efficiency industries could grow to as
many as 40 million by 2030. The U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Office predicts that in order to meet the goals of the Solar America Initiative, the US needs 4,700
more certified installers.
The International Brotherhood for Electrical Workers (IBEW) has many training centers that
focus on developing the skills and knowledge necessary for planning and installing both residential
and commercial solar electric installations. Each training site offers students hands-on experience
with a variety of standard solar components and the opportunity to complete a small residential
installation.
A notable comprehensive solar training program run by the IBEW is at the Electrical
Technology Institute (ETI) operating in partnership with the Los Angeles County chapter of the
National Electrical Contractors Association.
The ETI trains all union apprentices and journeymen in Los Angeles and includes solar PV
training in the fifth year of its curriculum for apprentices. The center also offers 100 hours of
training in PV principals and installation for journeymen who have completed their apprenticeships
and are working electricians. This extra certification allows tradesmen to get a step ahead of the
competition.
ETI also plays such an important part in assuring building owners, developers, plant
managers, general contractors, architects and engineers that journeyman electricians trained at the
ETI have received the highest quality training in the industry. It is this training that
enables IBEW electricians to perform tasks that range from the basic knowledge to complex data
and programmable logic control systems that are prevalent in today's commercial buildings.
IBEW electrician graduates of a National Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee solar
training certificate program, part of the IBEW, have installed PV solar systems on major public and
private buildings across the United States, including many of their own union halls and/or training
centers.
Additionally, twenty-eight state governments have mandates generally requiring that 10
percent to 25 percent of their energy be obtained through renewable sources in a decade or two. In
fact, California plans to have over 1 million solar panel roofs installed by 2018. As state and
local government’s investment in green energy continues to be a priority, so will it be a priority
to employ the highly skilled tradesmen that install these technologies.
“For more information about IBEW career opportunities, please visit the Helmets to Hardhats trade union page or contact the Helmets to Hardhats Field Director in your area for assistance.”
