Clean energy creates jobs in NC

Anticipated Job Growth in 2015. Photo credit: North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association

The NC Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) completed its seventh annual North Carolina Clean Energy Industry Census for 2014. This years’ report shows steady growth in the clean energy sector, outpacing the growth of any other sectors of the economy.

From the NCSEA press release:

“According to the 2014 Census, North Carolina has experienced approximately 15 percent annual increase in revenues generated by clean energy activities since 2012, reaching $4.8 billion in gross revenues in 2014, up $1.2 billion from 2013. The Census also reports significant job growth in 2014, accounting for 22,995 full-time equivalent employees in North Carolina and more than 1,200 firms. Notable this year, the Building Efficiency sector emerged as a clean energy leader, accounting for nearly half of all full-time employment in the industry, particularly in the design and construction of new buildings. This is promising both as an indicator of broad economic health in the state and as a signal that energy efficient buildings are in high demand.”

The report provides economic analysis of each clean energy business sector, including building efficiency, solar, geothermal, biomass, storage, wind, smart grid, alternative fuel vehicles, hydropower and fuel cells. Click here to read the full report.

NCSEA also commissioned a update to The Economic, Utility Portfolio and Rate Impact of Clean Energy Development in North Carolina. The 2015 update breaks down clean energy investment by county, and demonstrates that rural areas are leading benefactors of clean energy investment, The report also shows that electricity customers are paying less for energy thanks to clean energy investment. Click here for summary findings, and here for the full report.