A version of this article first appeared in WFAE’s Climate Newsletter. Sign up here to receive weekly climate news straight to your inbox.
The clean energy sector in North Carolina is experiencing notable growth, outperforming other areas of the economy. In 2024, clean energy jobs in the state increased by approximately 3%, a significant rise compared to the overall 1% job growth reported across other sectors. This trend is highlighted in a new report by the advocacy group E2.
Zach Amittay, E2’s Southeast advocate, noted, “Another year of data demonstrating that clean energy is a really powerful engine for job growth in North Carolina.” With North Carolina ranking within the top 10 states for clean energy employment, approximately 113,000 workers are employed in this sector, which is significantly more than the number of teachers in the state. These jobs also account for about 15% of all construction jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Energy Efficiency Leads the Way
The energy efficiency sector within the clean energy industry employs a significant number of workers, including HVAC technicians and lighting experts. The state has further fueled this growth with initiatives like the Energy Saver NC program, which offers homeowners up to $16,000 for home electrification and efficiency projects.
While the clean vehicle sector faced setbacks with a 2.5% decline, aligning with national trends, the state’s EV supply chain is still developing robustly. Notably, investments like the $14 billion Toyota battery manufacturing plant in Liberty, N.C., have placed North Carolina among the top four states for EV and battery manufacturing investments.
Impact of Federal Policies
The growth in clean energy jobs has been significantly influenced by the Inflation Reduction Act and its associated tax credits. “Plenty of this growth would have happened regardless of the policy landscape,” remarked Amittay.
Amittay also emphasized the importance of storage and grid advancements, noting that renewable generation continues to outpace the overall economy statewide. He highlighted innovative technologies like Heimdall Power’s “neuron,” which provides utilities with real-time data on transmission line capacity, as crucial to bridging the gap until grid expansion is completed.
Despite these advancements, Amittay cautioned about the impacts of federal policy changes, such as those in President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill, which have reduced incentives for solar installations. He noted, “We’re already seeing the impact of less certainty long-term on the project pipeline for renewable generation and other clean energy sectors.” Duke Energy, for instance, has shifted focus from solar to battery storage and natural gas in its latest resource plan.
