North Carolina Clean Energy Jobs Jump 14% Since Pandemic

North Carolina has quietly become a powerhouse for clean energy jobs, growing its workforce by 13.8% since the pandemic hit in 2020.

The state now ranks in the nation's top 10 for clean energy employment, thanks to a booming sector that spans solar panel factories, battery plants, energy efficiency contractors, and grid infrastructure workers. The Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy recently released data showing how North Carolina attracted significant private investment that's turning into real paychecks for local workers.

What's surprising is the shift happening under the hood. Solar energy generation initially launched North Carolina into the top tier of clean energy states, but manufacturing is now taking center stage.

Ryan Evans, executive director of the Chambers for Innovation and Clean Energy, said factories building clean tech products are on track to become the state's second-largest clean energy employer. That would push them ahead of renewable energy generation, landing just behind the energy efficiency sector.

The reason? North Carolina can deliver what big manufacturers desperately need right now. Power. Lots of it. And the state has proven it can supply large industrial facilities with reliable electricity.

"We're seeing a demand for companies to say, 'OK, who can get me the power that I need for this particular manufacturing center that we want to develop?'" Evans explained.

Companies like Boviet Solar in Greenville are already manufacturing solar modules in the state, creating jobs that combine traditional manufacturing skills with cutting-edge clean technology. These aren't just assembly jobs. They require technical expertise and offer stable employment in communities that need economic opportunities.

The Ripple Effect

This manufacturing boom means North Carolina workers are building the tools other states will use to go green. Every solar panel, battery, or energy system component made in North Carolina helps accelerate the clean energy transition nationwide while keeping jobs and expertise local.

The growth also creates a virtuous cycle. More clean energy manufacturing means more local expertise, which attracts more companies, which creates more jobs. Communities that invest in training workers for these roles position themselves to capture even more opportunities as the sector expands.

North Carolina's success shows how states can turn the global shift toward clean energy into hometown job growth without waiting for federal mandates or subsidies.