The Future of Clean Energy Jobs in Nevada

Nevada’s clean energy boom is rewriting the state’s employment map. From solar arrays outside Las Vegas to geothermal wells in the Great Basin and a massive lithium mine poised to supply domestic battery makers, the Silver State is quickly becoming a national laboratory for the new energy economy. That surge translates into tens of thousands of clean energy jobs in Nevada — and the momentum is still building.

Why Clean Energy Jobs Matter

Clean energy work is more than a pay­check. It delivers:

• Resilient careers: Jobs tied to renewable power and energy efficiency grow even when fossil-fuel markets contract.
• High wages: Average earnings in Nevada’s clean energy sector top $100,000, almost 20% above the statewide average.
• Community benefits: Solar installers, energy-efficient HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) techs, and battery-plant workers cut pollution while lowering their neighbors’ utility bills.

In short, clean energy jobs tick every box: economic growth, good career prospects, and local quality of life.

Clean Energy Jobs Are Powering Nevada’s Economy

Nevada posted 54,964 clean energy jobs in 2024 — up 119% since 2014. That pace dwarfs national growth and signals long-term demand for skilled workers.

Where are those jobs?

• Advanced electricity generation (10,600 jobs): Solar leads, with utility-scale projects across Clark and Nye counties.
• Energy efficiency (13,000): Insulation experts, HVAC upgrades, and smart-building tech keep paychecks flowing even in slower construction cycles.
• Grid and storage (9,700): Battery plants in Storey County and new transmission lines keep energy moving. 

Solar alone employs 8,592 Nevadans and already supplies more than 30% of the state’s electricity — good for sixth place nationally. 

A Glimpse of Tomorrow

In-demand roles you’ll see on job boards include:

• Solar:
  • Typical job titles: photovoltaic (PV) installer, project foreman, operations and maintenance technician
  • Entry points: union apprenticeships, Occupational Safety and Health Administration 10-hour training (OSHA-10), North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP), community-college certificates
• Energy efficiency:
  • Typical job titles: HVAC mechanic, building-performance auditor, insulation crew lead
  • Entry points: union apprenticeships, contractor on-the-job training
• Storage and grid:
  • Typical job titles: battery-pack assembler, high-voltage lineworker, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) analyst
  • Entry points: technical colleges, utility training centers
• Clean construction:
  • Typical job titles: construction laborer, site prep operator, crane rigger
  • Entry points: laborers’ or operators’ unions, employer training

Most of these roles do not require a four-year degree. Skills training is the ticket to upward mobility.

How the Nevada Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) Fuels Workforce Growth

NCEF is a nonprofit bank that blends public and private capital to speed clean energy projects. Just as important, it invests in people through:

• Affordable financing: Through its Residential Energy Upgrade Program (RE-UP), NCEF offers low-interest loans to help homeowners hire vetted contractors for energy efficiency and solar upgrades, keeping crews busy year-round. 
• Contractor network: No dealer fees and consumer-friendly underwriting make it easier for small businesses to do more projects, scaling and adding employees as needed.
• Workforce vetting: Contractors must meet quality and safety benchmarks, creating a floor for good wages and steady work.

Nevada Solar for All Training Voucher Program

Training shouldn’t be a barrier to entering clean energy careers. That’s why NCEF’s Nevada Solar for All (NSFA) Training Voucher Program covers up to $15,000 per trainee for solar-related courses, apprenticeships, and certifications that feed directly into NSFA projects serving low-income communities in rural and urban Nevada. 

What’s covered?

• OSHA and NABCEP prep
• Advanced PV design software training
• Rooftop-safety and fall-protection courses
• Sales and project-management boot camps

Employers can upskill existing staff, and job seekers can turn a short course into a career with no tuition debt.

Contractor Resources: a One-Stop Shop

If you run a clean energy business or want to start one, NCEF’s contractor resources page delivers:

• Intake forms for both RE-UP and NSFA networks
• Free marketing leads and financing tools
• Technical guides on heat pumps, induction cooking, and federal tax credits

Joining our contractor network costs nothing, widens your customer base, and links you to state and federal incentives that close more deals. Learn more here.

Charting Your Path in Nevada’s Clean Energy Economy

Whether you’re fresh out of high school, switching careers, or expanding a contracting business, the road to a sustainable paycheck is open. Take these steps to get started:

• Explore roles: Scan job boards for roles or keywords such as solar installer, energy-efficiency technician, or battery assembly.
• Line up training: Apply for an NSFA voucher, enroll in a community-college certificate, or explore other training options.
• Get certified: Credentials such as  NABCEP or EPA 608 boost starting wages.
• Plug into NCEF: Contractors should join the RE-UP or NSFA network; job seekers can ask approved contractors about openings.
• Keep learning: Rapid tech shifts make upskilling the fastest way to obtain promotions and pay raises.

Nevada’s Clean Energy Moment Is Now

The Silver State’s sun, geothermal, and mineral resources are converging with historic federal and state investments. For Nevadans, that means stable careers that pay well, strengthen communities, and safeguard the high-desert landscape we call home.

Ready to step into the future of clean energy jobs in Nevada? Learn more about the NSFA Training Voucher Program to fund your training, or check out NCEF’s contractor resources to grow your business. The next green-collar success story could be yours.

Nevada Clean Energy Fund is proud to support workforce development programs that prepare the next generation for careers in clean energy. Through our K-12 education partnerships, such as with EJACT and Solar Rollers, students gain hands-on experience with solar technology, engineering concepts, and sustainability. These programs empower young Nevadans, especially in underserved communities, to explore pathways and help build a more inclusive, future-ready clean energy workforce.

NCEF is a nonprofit organization that provides financial and technical resources to accelerate clean energy growth in the state, reduce energy costs, and create jobs. NCEF works with communities, local businesses, schools, governments, tribes, utilities, contractors, lenders, and others to increase access to clean energy opportunities, such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, electric vehicles, and energy storage. Learn more about our funding solutions for residents to see how we can help you save on energy efficiency improvements today!