The renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) industries represented more than 9 million jobs and $1,045 billion in U.S. revenue in 2007, according to a new report offering the most detailed analysis yet of the green economy. The renewable energy industry grew three times as fast as the U.S. economy, with the solar thermal, photovoltaic, biodiesel, and ethanol sectors leading the way, each with 25%+ annual revenue growth.

The new ASES Green Collar Jobs report from the nonprofit American Solar Energy Society (ASES) based in Boulder, and Management Information Services, Inc (MISI), an internationally recognized economic research firm in Washington D.C., provides a sector-by-sector analysis of where the opportunities are in the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.

"There's a new sense of optimism in the green economy," said Brad Collins, ASES' Executive Director. "But while the U.S. could see million of new jobs in renewable energy and energy efficiency, this will only happen with the necessary leadership, research, development, and public policy at the federal and state levels."

Key conclusions from this report include:

* Renewable energy and energy efficiency currently provide more than 9 million jobs and $1,045 billion in revenue in the U.S. (2007). The previous year (2006) renewable energy and energy efficiency represented 8.5 million jobs and $972 billion in revenue.

* 95% of the jobs are in private industry.

* As many as 37 million jobs can be generated by the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries in the U.S. by 2030 - more than 17% of all anticipated U.S. employment.

* Hottest sectors include solar thermal, photovoltaics, biofuels, and fuel cells.

* Hot job areas include electricians, mechanical engineers, welders, metal workers, construction managers, accountants, analysts, and environmental scientists.