Key findings from the report

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CLEAN ENERGY JOBS IN MN

Approximately 40 percent of the clean energy jobs lost during the COVID-19 economic downturn were regained.

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GROWTH IN ADVANCED TRANSPORTATION

This was the region’s fastest-growing sector in 2021.

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JOB GROWTH

Clean energy jobs grew in line with Minnesota’s overall job growth in 2021.

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GROWTH IN SOLAR JOBS

The solar industry now employs nearly 5,000 Minnesotans.

What qualifies as a clean energy job?

Grace Roberts working on the utility-scale solar site

Energy efficiency workers make up the largest portion of clean energy workers in Minnesota. These jobs might include manufacturing energy efficient windows and doors, or in construction working to retrofit buildings and save people money with efficient lighting or HVAC systems.

Workers who are employed in industries that generate power from wind, solar, bioenergy, geothermal and low-impact hydro technologies are considered renewable generation workers.

Minnesotans who build and develop hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles, as well as those who develop clean fuels like biodiesel and non-corn ethanol from grasses or agricultural waste are also part of the clean energy sector.

In Minnesota, a growing sector of clean energy jobs are focused on advanced grid technologies that store energy on the grid and manage the distribution of energy to customers. People working in this sector are helping to modernize our electric grid and build a more efficient and resilient electricity system.

Minnesota clean energy jobs by sector

What do energy efficiency workers do?

Energy efficiency jobs are the largest sector of clean energy employment in Minnesota comprising nearly 3 out of every 4 clean energy jobs in the state.

Minnesota’s second-largest sector of clean energy jobs is renewable energy, which employs more than 8,200 workers. Of note, the state’s advanced transportation sector grew 23% in 2021 – the fastest growing sector across the Midwest.

Job data by sector CJM 2022

“In the last 5 years, we’ve added 105 people which represents 36% growth. The passage of the Inflation Reduction Act has only kickstarted further and faster growth. In the next 5 years I envision EVS becoming one of the premier solar and storage engineering firms in the country, we have an incredible runway in front of us.”

Andy Kim President, EVS, Inc.

Jobs in the value chain

Clean energy jobs can also be categorized by the role they play in the value chain. Each value chain category captures jobs from multiple clean energy sectors. For example, construction jobs can include energy efficiency jobs and renewable energy jobs.

Minnesota leads the region with the largest percentage of clean energy jobs in construction.

CJM Data Value Chain Data 2022

“Minnesota’s clean energy sector has proven its resilience and paired with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, our industry is poised to supercharge job creation and economic growth across the state. With the right coordination between state and federal agencies and the clean energy industry – we will be a powerful engine for clean energy innovation for decades to come.”

Gregg Mast Executive Director, Clean Energy Economy MN

What are the demographics of the industry?

ips solar workers carrying panel
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VETERANS

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WOMEN

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AGED 55+

CJM 2022 Demographics Data

Policy to support clean energy in Minnesota

Recent federal policies like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the CHIPS and Science Act, and state policies like the Energy Conservation and Optimization (ECO) Act make unprecedented investments in the clean energy economy and create promise for strong future growth in clean energy jobs.

Specifically, the IRA’s focus on reshoring good-paying manufacturing jobs and paying a prevailing wage to maximize incentives for large renewable projects will spur job growth in these sectors.

Still, there is more to do to meet the nation’s climate goals of reducing climate emissions by 50 percent by 2030, and state goals around growing clean energy jobs and improving equity in the clean energy economy outlined in the recently published Minnesota’s Climate Action Framework.

01.

Implement federal policy

Implement recently passed federal policies to support a rapid and just transition to clean energy. The IRA, IIJA, and the CHIPS and Science Act include a combined investment of hundreds of billions of dollars in the clean energy economy. Coordination across federal, state, and local agencies will be integral to maximize the effectiveness of this historic level of funding.

02.

Workforce development

Develop and fund federal and state workforce development programs. Workforce training will be critical to the continued growth of the industry, as over 84 percent of employers in the state report at least some difficulty hiring workers.

03.

Expand transmission

Expand our regional transmission grid and increase ease of access for clean energy projects. The Midcontinent Independent System Operator’s recent announcement of new transmission infrastructure will significantly improve the reliability of Minnesota’s congested grid, allowing for greater investment in clean energy solutions of all scales.

04.

Update building codes

Update Minnesota’s building codes to save energy costs and grow energy efficiency jobs. In 2021, the state legislature considered a bill to allow cities to adopt a more efficient building standard to achieve net-zero energy for new commercial buildings by 2036.

05.

Minnesota’s energy standard

Increase Minnesota’s energy standard to 100 percent clean energy. Under such a standard, utilities could help design a schedule to meet carbon reduction goals by 2040. If passed, Minnesota would join 10 other states in passing legislation to achieve 100 percent carbon-free electricity.

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT CLEAN ENERGY JOBS?

Connect with us on social media. Also, contact your legislator today to let them know that you support clean energy. The Minnesota Legislature makes it easy to identify who represents you in St. Paul. Click here to identify your legislators and contact them to let them know you support clean energy jobs in Minnesota.

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Read the press release

For more information on the Clean Jobs Midwest report and the Minnesota report, please read our press release.

Read the release

The faces of clean energy

Taylor Iverson

Solar Connection

Madhushan Tennakoon

75F logo

Cari Woitalla

ATS Trucking logo

Steve Vietor

Riverland Community College

Adam Rupp

Alexandria Industries logo

Joffrey Wilson

Mortenson Logo

Eric Hansen

Koda Energy Logo

Donna Pickard

TruNorth Solar Logo

Dennis and Andy Kim

EVS, Inc. logo

TJ Ozomoru

IPS Solar logo

John Mertes

Werner Electric logo

Dan Juhl

Juhl Energy Logo

Taylor Iverson

Solar Construction Manager | Solar Connection
Solar Connection

Madhushan Tennakoon

Machine Learning Developer | 75F
75F logo

Cari Woitalla

Senior Project Manager | ATS
ATS Trucking logo

Steve Vietor

Wind Instructor | Riverland Community College
Riverland Community College

Adam Rupp

Manufacturing Engineer | Alexandria Industries
Alexandria Industries logo

Joffrey Wilson

Director of Strategy and Development | Mortenson
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Eric Hansen

Director of Operations | Koda Energy, LLC
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Donna Pickard

Permissions Manager | TruNorth Solar
TruNorth Solar Logo

Dennis and Andy Kim

President and Vice President | EVS, Inc.
EVS, Inc. logo

TJ Ozomoru

Solar Developer | IPS Solar
IPS Solar logo

John Mertes

Energy Specialist | Werner Electric
Werner Electric logo

Dan Juhl

Founder | Juhl Energy
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