Renewable Energy Careers

Work environment will vary depending on the industry and the type of position a worker holds. For example, meteorologists in the wind industry may need to travel to distant sites in order to better gauge wind capabilities for a proposed wind turbine project. Solar industry technicians often travel from site to site in order to install or maintain equipment needed for solar projects such as homes, buildings, or thermal generators. Hydropower industry employees perform much of their work outdoors. Biologists and fisheries managers work at or near ponds and rivers. Recreation managers often find themselves developing outdoor walking paths and trails near hydroelectric projects to ensure that vegetation and wildlife are protected. In the geothermal industry, drilling crews work outdoors when they operate heavy drilling tools to locate new reservoirs. Farmers employed by bio energy companies work outdoors tending their biomass crops. All workers who work outdoors must deal with occasionally extreme weather conditions such as high wind, rain, sleet, snow, and temperature extremes.

Administrative support staff, industry educators, research and development workers, sales and marketing staff, and other non-technical workers often work indoors in comfortable offices. Many scientists work in laboratories, which are clean, comfortable, and well lit. Most employees work a standard 40-hour week. Important projects or deadlines may require overtime and weekend work.