Renewable Energy Careers

Some renewable energy workers may be represented by the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, American Federation of Government Employees, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, and other unions.

Major professional organizations for renewable energy engineers are as follows by sector: wind (American Wind Energy Association); solar (American Solar Energy Society, Solar Electric Power Association, Solar Energy Industries Association, and The Solar Foundation); hydropower (Hydro Research Foundation, National Hydropower Association, International Hydropower Association, and Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition); geothermal (Geothermal Education Office and the Geothermal Resources Council); biofuels (Renewable Fuels Association); and fuel cell technology (Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association and CSA International). The Association of Energy Engineers represents the professional interests of engineers who are employed in the renewable energy industry. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (http://www.ncees.org) provides licensure to engineers. Other professional organizations include the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is a government agency that provides resources for those interested in renewable energy.

There are many other professional associations for engineers such as the Society of Civil Engineers, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and the Institute of Industrial Engineers. Check the Encyclopedia of Associations, which is published by Gale Cengage Learning, for associations in your field of interest. It is available in many community and school libraries.