North Carolina’s clean energy economy continues to provide diverse employment for people of all skill levels and educational backgrounds in every region of our state. The 2012 NC Clean Energy Industries Census, an annual publication by the NC Sustainable Energy Association, conservatively estimates over 15,200 (full-time equivalent) clean energy jobs at 1,100 companies located in 86 out of 100 counties. This report also found these companies generate more than $3.7 billion in annual revenues.

The growing clean energy industry has expanded rapidly in recent years, despite one of the longest and most severe recessions in our nation’s history; however, current economic, policy and regulatory uncertainity could limit future growth. Click here to learn more.

North Carolina continues to recover from one of the longest recessions in our nation’s history – marked by ongoing high unemployment. Retaining jobs and fostering economic development has become a priority for businesses, policymakers and residents across the state. Since the passage of the Southeast’s first renewable energy and energy efficiency law in 2007, the clean energy sectors – broadly categorized as renewable energy and energy efficiency – have burst onto the scene and are found in every region of the state.

North Carolina boasts an international smart grid cluster, two of the 50 fastest growing companies in the nation (both are renewable energy companies), and regional initiatives, including the Evolve Energy Partnership, Charlotte New Energy Capital and the Research Triangle CleanTech Cluster. These assets are supported by a diverse sector with industry activities across all major focus areas. In only a few short years, the clean energy sector has become a North Carolina success story and a valued component of our state’s economic landscape.

Industries Census

The North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA) today released the 2010 North Carolina Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industries Census, which estimates12,500 green energy jobs exist across the state and verifies firms maintain a presence in all 100 counties of North Carolina.  NCSEA, which is the only organization in the nation that conducts an annual statewide survey of sustainable energy firms, uses the survey to examine timely policy questions impacting the growth of renewable energy and energy efficiency firms. 

Click here for more information and to access full report.

In 2009, we surveyed 1,136 firms and identified 10,250 green energy jobs across the state, generating more than $3.5 billion in annual revenues.

In 2008, we we received responses from 161 firms and identified 2,144 green energy jobs across the state.