There are 25,700 jobs in North Carolina’s clean energy sector, according to the N.C. Sustainable Energy Association. That total represents a 12 percent gain from last year. The revenue for the industry grew 37 percent to $6.6 billion.
Energy efficiency for buildings is the biggest provider of the jobs. The organization said that it represents 12,700 full time jobs, which accounted for $2.3 billion in revenue. The most significant growth was in the design and construction area. It accounts for $1.1 billion in revenue and 3,200 full-time jobs. Solar is next, with $1.8 billion in revenue and 5,500 full-time jobs.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said that a 94-page report from a coalition of environmental groups and trade unions expressed optimism that coal-dependent regions could, according to the story, “significant” increase jobs while moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy.