Green Energy Job Opportunities Abound Despite the Depressed Job Market

For 2011, the current jobless reports and the forecast for the jobs market paint a depressing picture. However, according to energy provider MXenergy, the future may be brighter than it appears when it comes to jobs focused on power production which is cleaner for the environment, green, and sustainable.

“The focus on renewable and clean energy and sustainability has led to tremendous growth in these industries over the past several years,” says Marjorie Kass, MXenergy managing director of marketing. “All indications are that growth is expected to continue which will mean the need for trained, experienced personnel.”

During the second half of the first decade of the 21st century, there was a 64 percent increase in the installation solar photovoltaic cells (solar panels) within the United States. The data, from the Rocky Mountain Institute, further indicates that more than 90,000 direct or indirect jobs in the manufacturing and installation of solar panels, plus an additional 85,000 jobs in wind power energy currently exist in the country.

New solar panel leasing programs are making residential solar energy a much more realistic option which previously had been cost prohibitive for most homeowners.

“The increase in affordability and attainability through these programs is a benefit not only to homeowners but also to workers,” continues Kass. “As more people take advantage of solar leasing programs the need for licensed installers will increase as well.”

For workers looking for jobs, a career in green energy is now a much more realistic option. Companies like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) offers certification programs in solar heating, small wind and photovoltaic system installation.

A complete listing of “green” job opportunities, including Green Building, with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, Green Engineering, Wind Turbine Machinist, Home Energy Auditors and the area of Eco-Tourism, is available from, www.greencareersguide.com..