Industry Spotlight: Alternative Energy
Industry Spotlight is designed to highlight the exciting industry news available in the diverse industries that affect the Broward County economy. Here you will find a collection of Construction industry information, resources and economic activities. The Alternative Energy Industry broadly incorporates all aspects of work derived from sources that do not use up natural resources or harm the environment. The increased attention and focus in Florida on alternative and renewable energy resources, along with rising demand for energy, is leading to new opportunities for “green jobs” in the state.
Economic Impact:
Due to government incentives and changing public sentiment, clean energy is a hot topic for many of today's businesses. The federal stimulus plan has allocated billions towards renewable energy.
As interest in Renewable Energy continues, and funds remain available many are forecasting exponential growth in the industry. Cleantech Group, an industry research firm, reports venture capital investment in clean technology—including solar, biofuels, batteries and the smart grid—overtook IT and biotech for the biggest piece of the Venture Capital pie. The sector swiped 27 percent of all investment dollars in the third quarter of 2010 which amounted to $1.6 billion.
Market Briefs:
- Boosting Florida’s alternative energy workforce is the aim of the Employ Florida Banner Center for Alternative Energy. Based at the University of Central Florida Solar Energy Center in Cocoa, the Banner Center is a partnership of universities, community colleges, technical institutes, workforce agencies and the alternative energy industry. For further information go to their website at www.floridaenergyworkforce.org and www.bannercenterforenergy.com.
- There are currently 12 identified green economy sectors within the ONET data base with over 100 green occupations identified. This information may be accessed at http://online.onetcenter.org/find/green.
Current Trends & Opportunities:
- Entrepreneur magazine recently published an article entitled “10 World-Changing Green Trends”. It can be accessed at http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/203646. The trends are listed and suggestions are made to take advantage of them.
- One over-arching trend is that due to lessons learned from the latest recession, we are changing from a consumer economy to a conserver economy i.e. productivity and saving are in and conspicuous consumption is out.
Industry Links:
- DSIRE: A comprehensive source of information on incentives and policies that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency: www.dsireusa.org
- Solar Energy Industry Association: www.seia.org
- Solar Marker Research and Analysis: www.solarbuzz.com
- US Energy Information Administration (EIA): www.eia.gov
- Broward County Green Workforce Innovation Project: http://greenworkforce.wordpress.com
