US Clean Energy Jobs Fall for First Time Since Pandemic as Federal Support Retreats

America’s clean energy workforce shrank for the first time since the post-COVID recovery period, shedding nearly 37,000 jobs over the past year. According to E2’s Clean Jobs America 2026 report, the reversal follows the federal government’s withdrawal of support for clean energy. The losses end four consecutive years of strong growth.

Losses touched virtually every major segment of the green economy — energy efficiency, renewable power generation, and clean transportation all contracted. Only three areas registered modest headcount growth: energy storage systems, grid modernization, and biofuel production. In total, the contraction wiped out close to 40% of all clean energy positions added during 2024.

The decline was geographically broad, spanning 35 states. California recorded the steepest drop at 21,000 jobs, and five of the hardest-hit states together accounted for roughly 82% of national net losses. Florida was a notable exception, gaining 3,800 workers — a 2.1% increase.

The employment figures do not capture the full scope of the pullback. E2 counted 142 planned projects — among them solar module and battery manufacturing plants — that companies cancelled or substantially reduced during the year. Those projects carried a combined value of $57.8 billion and had been expected to generate approximately 84,400 jobs. Combined with direct losses already recorded, the total pipeline of lost or at-risk positions exceeded 120,000.

Source: PV Magazine USA