Renewable Energy: The Texas Job Boom
Texas is seeing a sharp rise in demand for entry-level workers to build renewable energy projects. In the short and medium term, Texas will very likely connect far more wind and solar capacity to the grid than anywhere else in the USA.
Texas is seeing a sharp rise in demand for entry-level workers to build renewable energy projects. In the short and medium term, Texas will very likely connect far more wind and solar capacity to the grid than anywhere else in the United States. In fact, reality has already overtaken the forecast this article originally cited. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the ERCOT grid accounts for around 40 percent of all new US solar capacity in 2026, and solar generation there will overtake coal for the first time in 2026: 78 versus 60 billion kilowatt-hours. Solar output is set to grow from 56 billion kilowatt-hours in 2025 to an expected 106 billion by 2027. At the same time, battery storage capacity in Texas is expected to rise from around 15 gigawatts (2025) to 37 gigawatts by the end of 2027. On a sunny summer day, one megawatt can power roughly 200 homes.
Clear signs the trend will last
Enel Green Power is one of the world's largest renewable energy producers. The Italy-based company has announced plans to build its largest solar farm in North America southeast of Waco.
Workrise is a company that trains workers. According to Leslie Elliott, who heads its energy vertical, workers are noticing the surge in renewables too. The company launched a solar and wind program in 2019 and, within two years, grew the number of specialists it trains each year in this field from 400 to 2,250.
Job growth: wind turbine technicians lead the way
According to the US Department of Labor's Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median pay in 2025 was $53,140 a year for solar photovoltaic installers and $64,120 for wind turbine service technicians. The Department's projections for renewable energy look excellent too. In its current projection for 2025 to 2035, solar installer is the second-fastest-growing occupation in the entire USA at 37 percent, right behind nurse practitioner. Wind turbine service technician follows in place 4 at 30 percent. For comparison, the agency expects single-digit growth across all occupations over the same period.
Renewables as the efficient option
Elliott also credits public and government support for the rapid growth in renewables. But she stresses that solar is one of the cheapest ways to generate electricity.
The International Energy Agency agrees, confirming that large-scale solar parks are highly competitive. The cost advantage has held up: new solar and onshore wind projects are now among the cheapest forms of power generation, and in Texas the build-out of battery storage largely solves the old problem of generation peaks.
Thinking about investing in Texas too?
European companies have been investing large sums in the Lone Star State for years. If you are planning to expand to the USA, and to Texas in particular, Mount Bonnell Advisors is your experienced, English-speaking contact in Austin, Texas. As a first step, a consultation can help you settle the key strategic questions, especially on US legal entities, US visas and tax.
Sources: U.S. Energy Information Administration (ERCOT generation and storage build-out 2025 to 2027); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Fastest Growing Occupations, projection 2025 to 2035 and median pay 2025. Last checked 31 August 2026.
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