A recent report from the U.S. Department of Energy confirms what we already know: Clean energy industries are growing rapidly and employing more and more Americans each year. The report shows that more than 3 million people are employed in clean energy jobs across the U.S., ranging from constructions workers, engineers, installers, manufacturers, sales and more.

Companies are creating these well-paying jobs in all 50 states, and our total equals the number of people employed in retail stores across the country.

To celebrate the incredible impact that clean energy industries are having on employment in the U.S., SEIA and other business groups up and down the clean energy supply chain spread the message last week through a one-day social media “Thunderclap” campaign. The message was shared more than 1,500 times and seen by more than a million people.

These jobs in installation, maintenance, sales, information technology, etc. are not automated, outsourced or shipped abroad. They are American jobs, and will only increase over time. The sheer number of jobs show how important the renewable energy sector is to the U.S. economy, and the rate of growth and prospects for future growth demonstrate how these industries will drive America’s energy future.

“In setting a record for new electric generating capacity, the solar energy industry added one in every 50 new jobs in the economy last year and now employs 260,000 people in America,” said Abigail Ross Hopper, president and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. “These jobs pay well, they support local economies and they fuel American innovation."

Organizers of the campaign include SEIA, Advanced Energy Economy, the Business Council for Sustainable Energy, Energy Storage Association, American Wind Energy Association, and many other supporters and partners.

Visit the campaign page to learn more about the impact clean energy industries are having and how you or your organization can get involved and keep the drumbeat going!