Solar energy technicians, trades workers, and production employees are represented by unions, especially those serving the electrical, plumbing, and roofing trades. Major professional associations for solar energy industry professionals include the American Solar Energy Society, Solar Electric Power Association, Solar Energy Industries Association, and The Solar Foundation. Other renewable energy industry associations of note include the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and the Midwest Renewable Energy Association. Engineers and technicians can obtain resources and support from professional organizations specializing in their particular field. Additionally, the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (https://www.ncees.org) provides licensure to engineers. The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (https://www.nicet.org) offers certification to engineering technicians.
The following organizations offer certification to solar photovoltaic installers: Electronics Technicians Association (https://eta-i.org) and NABCEP (https://www.nabcep.org).
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 solar energy.
There are many other professional associations for workers in the solar energy industry. Check the Encyclopedia of Associations, which is published by Gale Cengage Learning, for associations in your field of interest. The publication is available in many community and school libraries.
- Bioenergy/Biofuels Workers
- Biofuels Processing Technicians
- Biofuels Production Managers
- Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers
- Biomass Plant Technicians
- Biomass Power Plant Managers
- Energy Brokers
- Energy Conservation Technicians
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Planners
- Environmental Scientists
- Environmental Technicians
- Fuel Cell Engineers
- Fuel Cell Technicians
- Fuel Cell Technology Workers
- Futurists
- Geotechnical Engineers
- Geothermal Energy Industry Workers
- Geothermal Production Managers
- Geothermal Technicians
- Green Builders
- Green Transportation Careers
- Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
- Hydroelectric Production Managers
- Hydropower and Marine Energy Industry Workers
- Renewable Energy Careers
- Renewable Energy Engineers
- Renewable Energy Site Assessors
- Solar Energy Installation Managers
- Solar Energy Sales Representatives
- Solar Engineers
- Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
- Wind Energy Engineers
- Wind Energy Industry Workers
- Wind Energy Operations Managers
- Wind Energy Project Managers