Clean Energy Sector Sees Extreme Job Loss Resulting from the Coronavirus Pandemic

More than 106,472 clean energy workers lost their jobs in March as business plummets due to the spread of the novel coronavirus. While top job loss is among the category of workers who preform installation of equipment inside homes and businesses, jobs in renewable electricity generation such as wind and solar power are also experiencing a significant downturn. The clean energy sector has seen been especially impacted due to disruptions in manufacturing and the supply chain.

The renewable energy industry has been toted as one of America’s fasting growing industries. In fact, all the jobs lost in the clean energy sector in March make up a whole year’s worth of job gains and outlooks project further job loss of up to 15% of the total workforce as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

The White House has resisted efforts to include aid to the clean energy sector in recent coronavirus stimulus bills, while at the same time backing efforts to include stimulus funding for fossil fuel companies.

ASME will continue to report on how the clean energy industry is affected during this pandemic.