The renewable energy sector is witnessing significant job growth. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), employment in the industry has reached 12.7 million jobs. With the increasing urgency to transition to renewable energy sources, IRENA forecasts that employment could rise to 38.2 million by 2030 and 43 million by 2050. However, this increased need for renewable energy jobs means that talented individuals passionate about clean energy and sustainability are in high demand to fill these roles.
Does this describe you? Well, this guide will explore five of the most popular and in-demand renewable energy jobs, which are already driving the pursuit of a greener world for current and future generations.
1. Renewable energy consultant
A renewable energy consultant is first on our list of top renewable energy jobs. Their role is to support businesses, from multinationals to startups, in adopting sustainable energy solutions by conducting comprehensive energy surveys and audits and advising on renewable technologies such as solar, wind, hydro, and bioenergy.
Working with a range of stakeholders, they analyse an organisation’s energy production and consumption to identify opportunities for integrating renewable energy systems, aligning with global carbon reduction initiatives and green policies.
What is the role of a Renewable Energy Consultant?
With renewable energy consultants playing a crucial role in supporting organisations to become more green and sustainable, let’s look at some of their day-to-day duties.
- Conducting energy surveys, carbon footprint analyses, greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, and feasibility studies.
- Analysing technical data to determine current and potential energy production levels.
- Advising on green energy policies and carbon reduction strategies.
- Knowledge of energy regulations and policies
- Recommending sustainable and renewable materials and energy solutions.
- Completing environmental impact assessments for businesses
- Preparing estimates and writing detailed reports
- Reviewing environmental permits and documents
Skills and Qualifications
To carry out these roles and responsibilities, Wind Turbine Technicians need a variety of skills and qualifications, including:
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science, engineering, or a related field
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Expertise in renewable energy systems
- Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Knowledge of energy regulations and policies
- Able to read and interpret energy data
- High-levels of organisation and detail-oriented
- Able to work independently and as part of a team, overseeing teams and large-scale projects.
What are the Career Prospects for a Renewable Energy Consultant?
These are exciting times for those interested in a career as a renewable energy consultant, as the Bureau of Labour Statistics predicts an 8% job growth for consultants from 2021 to 2031. This increase is driven by the increased focus on the need for sustainable and greener energy sources, encouraging organisations to seek expert advice on transitioning to clean energy solutions.
As you progress through your career, you can advance to senior or managerial roles, overseeing teams and larger-scale projects. You may choose to specialise in a specific area like wind, solar, or hybrid, enabling you to become an expert in a niche field. Additionally, you can transition into related roles, such as energy auditor, energy engineer, or sustainability manager, enabling you to broaden your career opportunities within the field.
2. Solar PV Installer
The solar industry is booming, with 2022 alone seeing a 25% increase in Solar PV installations. In keeping up with this demand, solar PV installers are playing and will continue to play a vital role far into the future. An installer's role is to install and maintain solar panels on various infrastructures, from homes to private businesses to government institutions. As well as their responsibility for installation, they must ensure that all safety protocols are followed and that installation is completed within agreed-upon timeframes and budgets.
What are the Roles and Responsibilities of a Solar PV Installer?
Taking a key role in driving the production of solar energy, the roles and responsibilities of a solar PV installer include:
- Install solar panels and other related equipment.
- Diagnose and resolve any problems that occur with solar energy systems.
- Carry out electrical work to integrate solar panels with existing electrical systems.
- Adhere to all safety protocols
- Ensure installations are completed within the scheduled timeframe and budget constraints.
- Communicate clearly and effectively with customers, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
- Stay updated on new technologies, equipment, and methods in the field of solar energy systems.
- Keep detailed records of installations, repairs, and maintenance activities.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To be able to carry out this crucial role and the responsibilities that come with it, solar PV installers need the following qualifications and skills:
- A relevant solar PV certification (this varies from location to location)
- Strong technical knowledge of electrical systems and solar panel products.
- Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
- Able to work well under pressure.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Good mathematical skills.
- Design skills.
- Patience.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with a range of stakeholders.
- Good levels of physical fitness and comfortable working at heights and outdoors.
What are the Career Prospects for a Solar PV Installer?
As we mentioned earlier, there has been a significant increase in solar PV installations. This is not surprising, given that solar PV accounts for three-quarters of renewable capacity additions globally. This drive to increase solar production means that anyone considering a career as a solar PV installer knows there are plenty of job opportunities and career growth.
After gaining experience and knowledge within the solar PV installer role, you could advance to becoming a team leader or a project manager. Alternatively, you could set yourself up as self-employed. Like many of the other jobs on this list, solar energy is an international focus for countries that want to produce clean and sustainable energy. This means that it is a career that can take you worldwide, from Australia to the UK to China.
Want to discover more about some of the world’s most innovative and exciting renewable energy projects? Then discover our guide: Five of the World’s most Groundbreaking Renewable Energy Projects.
3. Wind Turbine Technician
Next on our list of renewable energy jobs is wind turbine technician. Maintaining the world’s largest and most advanced wind farms is no small task, and it relies heavily on the expertise of wind turbine technicians. These professionals are responsible for installing, inspecting, operating, maintaining, and repairing both onshore and offshore wind turbines.
They often work in challenging conditions, including adverse weather and remote ocean locations and around the clock to ensure turbines continue to work at full capacity, making wind turbine technicians crucial and highly sought after in the renewable energy industry
What is the role of a Wind Turbine Technician?
With playing such a vital role in driving wind energy production, let’s look at their typical day-to-day duties:
- Inspecting and maintaining turbine towers, blades, and nacelles on land and at sea.
- Collecting data for research and analysis to enhance turbine efficiency and safety.
- Operating machinery and equipment needed for turbine maintenance and repairs.
- Diagnosing and repairing mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic issues.
- Ensuring all maintenance practices comply with safety regulations.
- Replacing worn or faulty components.
- Collaborating closely with team members and field experts.
- Proficiency in all aspects and components of a wind turbine
- The ability to work effectively with others
- Attention to detail and thoroughness
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Run safety checks on cables and electrical substations.
- Complete safety reports.
Skills and Qualifications Needed for a Wind Turbine Technician Career
To carry out these roles and responsibilities, Wind Turbine Technicians need a variety of skills and qualifications, including:
- Qualification in an electrical, electronic or mechanical engineering-related subject. However, there are apprenticeship routes into the profession as well.
- Strong problem-solving skills
- Mathematical knowledge
- Ability to work outdoors, at significant heights, and in confined spaces
- High levels of physical fitness and good health
What are the Career Prospects for a Wind Turbine Technician?
As we alluded to earlier, wind turbine technicians are highly sought after in the renewable energy industry due to their crucial role. In fact, the Global Wind Workforce Outlook 2022 - 2026 report stated that recruitment and training have grown 33% to support an increase in wind turbine jobs. The industry is expected to need an extra 1,900 wind turbine technicians each year, which means plenty of opportunities exist for those interested in becoming wind turbine technicians.
After successfully becoming a technician, you could then progress to a team leader or site administrator. You can also transition into other fields such as Health, Safety, Environment, and Quality (HSEQ). In this space, you can take on roles such as HSE Field Officer and Quality Assurance (QA) Specialist.
Due to the international need for wind energy, you can work on farms worldwide, from the Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the UK to the Alta Wind Energy Center in the US to the Jaisalmer Wind Park in India. It really is a career with huge potential and a global reach.
4. Offshore Project Manager
An offshore project manager leads the delivery of offshore consultancy projects, serving as the technical advisor for clients globally and ensuring timely and budget-compliant completion. This role is crucial to a project's success, ensuring offshore operations are executed efficiently, safely, and in accordance with industry regulations and client requirements.
What are the Roles and Responsibilities of an Offshore Project Manager?
As part of their role in managing and implementing crucial renewable energy projects, here are the key responsibilities of an offshore project manager:
- Safely and profitably deliver assigned projects.
- Ensure effective and proper planning and execution for each assigned project, including equipment, assets, and personnel.
- Identify and manage all project risks, including financial, commercial, and operational.
- Attend client and site visits as required.
- Ensure proper cost control is implemented and maintained throughout the entirety of the project, including forecasting and budgeting.
- Meeting of milestones within the project.
- Performing all duties in line with procedures and regulations.
- Support and mentor the career development of junior employees.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To be able to carry out this vital role and their roles and responsibilities, offshore project managers need the following qualifications and skills:
- Degree-level qualification in engineering or a similar technical subject.
- Excellent IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Word, Excel, Project, and PowerPoint.
- Ability to prioritise workloads, coordinate, and organise operational tasks. This includes audits, project preparation, procurement, delivery, and close-outs.
- Excellent communication and negotiation skills for dealing with a variety of stakeholders.
- Able to work under pressure and drive continuous improvement in working practices.
- Great attention to detail, analytical skills, and quality assurance are vital to this role.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
What are the Career Prospects for an Offshore Project Manager?
From 2022 to 2023, the annual worldwide investments in clean energy sources and technologies relevant to the energy transition increased by 17%. This highlights business leaders' and governments' urgency and motivation to drive the charge towards a more sustainable future. This is excellent news for those stepping into this career, as investments will mean an increase in new offshore projects.
By gaining experience as an offshore project manager, you can progress to senior or executive-level positions, such as programme manager, project director, operations manager, and project engineering manager. In addition, there are opportunities to manage larger and more complex projects or oversee multiple concurrent projects. Due to the global battle against climate change and the drive for clean energy, it is a career that can take you worldwide as new offshore projects will continue to be a major focus.
5. Renewable Energy Engineer
Last but not least, one of our top renewable energy jobs is that of a renewable energy engineer. They are at the forefront of the global effort to harness energy from renewable energy sources such as wind, solar, hydro, and biofuels. They focus on finding efficient, clean, and innovative ways to supply these energies. Key aspects of the role include researching and developing new energy generation techniques to minimise environmental impact, improving existing methods, and designing and testing machinery.
Roles and Responsibilities
To ensure they continue to play such a major role in clean energy production, renewable energy engineers have the following day-to-day duties
- Designing, developing, and building renewable energy technologies.
- Combining renewable energy production with existing power systems.
- Communicate and negotiate with key stakeholders, including geologists and specialist contractors.
- Using computer modules and mathematical to complete design and specification calculations
- Check ground and site conditions for installation of renewable energy technologies.
- Keep updated on environmental standards and legislation
- Carry out energy surveys
- Preparation of work schedules, feasibility studies, and cost estimates.
- Negotiating service agreements and managing associated revenues and costs.
Required Skills and Qualifications
To be able to succeed in this role, renewable energy engineers need the following qualifications and skills:
- A degree in engineering or a scientific subject such as environmental engineering or earth sciences.
- Ability to understand complex data.
- Strong project management skills.
- Good knowledge of legislation.
- Strong IT skills.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication skills for dealing with a variety of stakeholders.
- Passion for technology, the environment, and science.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
What are the Career Prospects for a Renewable Energy Engineer?
As we discussed in our introduction, the global focus on renewable energy has put renewable energy engineers in high demand. There are plenty of opportunities worldwide for anyone interested in a career in this field, and the career prospects are also highly exciting.
After gaining experience as a renewable energy engineer, you can choose to specialise in areas such as corporate social responsibility or move into research and development, where you can focus on vital issues such as discovering new renewable energy sources and optimising production. In addition, there are also opportunities to become self-employed or enter education to lecture on renewable energy engineering.
Let’s Wrap up the Top 5 In-Demand Renewable Energy Jobs
The renewable energy sector presents many opportunities for those passionate about sustainable energy solutions. With the industry experiencing rapid growth, professionals in various roles, such as wind turbine technicians, renewable energy consultants, solar PV installers, offshore project managers, and renewable energy engineers, are in high demand. Each position is crucial in advancing clean energy technologies, optimising production processes, and reducing environmental impact. The skill sets required for these roles range from technical expertise and analytical abilities to strong communication and project management skills.
As the global emphasis on renewable energy intensifies, the career prospects within this sector continue to expand. Individuals can progress to senior or specialised positions, transition into research and development, or even move into consultancy and education. The international focus on renewable energy ensures that opportunities are plentiful and globally relevant, offering careers that are both fulfilling and impactful in the drive towards a sustainable future.
Looking for the Latest Renewable Energy Jobs?
Passionate about sustainability and the rise of clean energy? We hope our top 5 renewable energy jobs guide has inspired you to enter this crucial and growing industry. Our expert renewable energy recruitment team are passionate about connecting skilled and talented people like you to the most innovative companies worldwide. We will support you every step of your journey to ensure a smooth journey into your next career.
Discover our dedicated renewable energy jobs page for more information, or contact the team directly.
