Powering What’s Next: A Quick Guide to Careers in Canada’s Growing Renewable Energy Field

Solar arrays on barns. Heat pumps on new builds. Battery-storage proposals on council agendas — it’s not the energy future anymore, it’s the energy present. With a federal target of a net-zero electricity grid by 2035, Canada needs more people who can support, maintain and integrate the technologies reshaping how we power our communities. Here in Belleville, renewable energy has been part of the landscape for more than a decade, with solar installations across city-owned buildings and new projects continuing to come online. 

Starting in Fall 2026, Loyalist’s new Renewable Energy Systems certificate helps you get real experience with the technologies reshaping Canada’s energy future.  

Why Renewable Energy Careers Are Growing 

According to Canada’s Energy Transformation, a report authored by RBC, renewable power is set to grow at five times the rate of conventional energy by 2035, driven by declining technology costs and increasing demand for clean electricity. Between 2010 and 2020, the cost of solar power dropped 85 per cent and wind 56 per cent, making renewables more competitive than ever. 

Population growth is also pushing demand upward. Canada is expected to welcome five million newcomers over the next decade, increasing the energy needs of homes, transportation systems and public infrastructure. Electric-vehicle adoption continues to rise — full-electric and hybrid vehicles now account for 16 per cent of auto sales, more than double the share from a decade ago. Communities are also turning to heat pumps and building retrofits as they look for more efficient ways to heat and cool homes. 

Ontario’s long-term energy plan anticipates that electricity demand could double by 2050, requiring expanded renewable generation, large-scale storage and major grid upgrades. Nuclear power is expected to play a larger role too, with consumption projected to rise by nine per cent by 2035. 

All of these changes point to one thing: Canada needs more people with skills in renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainable technologies. 

Where Clean Energy Skills Are Used 

Renewable energy work shows up everywhere: in new housing developments, municipal energy plans, agricultural operations, industrial facilities and on rooftops across Eastern Ontario. Contractors are already being pulled from larger cities to take on local solar and geothermal installations, a sign that demand is outpacing regional capacity. 

“There’s a shift happening in electrical right now, and renewable energy is massive,” explained Program Coordinator James Larue. “We’re seeing lots of new builds with geothermal systems, and companies in the region can’t keep up with demand.” 

People with clean-energy skills contribute across a wide range of settings, including: 

• Renewable-energy installation teams, supporting solar, wind or geothermal projects 

• Energy advising and analysis, assessing building performance or recommending efficiency upgrades 

• Project coordination, assisting contractors, engineers and municipal partners 

• Sustainability and climate-action roles, gathering data and supporting planning 

• Utility or municipal support roles, helping with community energy programs or reporting requirements 

• Battery storage and controls positions, linked to emerging storage projects 

Matthew Ayres, Dean of Loyalist’s School of Applied Sciences, Skills and Technology, noted that employers on the Program Advisory Committee have already identified shortages — especially for residential solar installation — and see immediate opportunities for graduates. 

Hands-On Learning and Real Project Experience 

One of the standout features of the Renewable Energy Systems program is the four-week applied project at the end of the second semester. Here, students will work on a real renewable-energy installation, either with an industry partner or using Loyalist’s own rooftop solar systems.  

Dean Ayres sees this as essential preparation: “The idea is that students spend the final four weeks working on a project in the field with an external company or here on campus. It becomes a real part of their portfolio that they can show employers.” 

Graduates will leave with concrete experience: installing solar arrays, contributing to geothermal system setups, supporting wind-turbine assembly or working with biogas technologies already operating in the region.  

As James put it, “They’re not going into these jobs just watching an apprentice. They’re going to be leading their department for renewable energy. We’ll get them ready for real work.” 

Why Loyalist? 

In Eastern Ontario, the energy transition is happening in real time. The City of Belleville alone has more than 885 kW of installed solar capacity, generating enough electricity each year to power roughly 65 homes, with upgrades underway across municipal facilities. 

Large-scale projects are growing too — including Ontario’s largest rooftop solar installation, completed in Belleville in 2025, and a proposed battery-energy storage system to support local grid needs. Municipalities must also track and report their energy use and emissions under provincial legislation, creating additional demand for people with strong technical and analytical skills. 

Together, these projects show how quickly the region is moving — and how needed renewable-energy talent has become.  

Looking Ahead 

The Renewable Energy Systems program reflects Loyalist’s commitment to preparing learners for the opportunities emerging right here in our region. With solar installations, geothermal systems and energy-storage projects continuing to expand across Eastern Ontario, the demand for skilled workers is only expected to rise. 

By combining applied learning, technical training and real project experience, this two-semester certificate gives learners a practical pathway into a sector that’s growing quickly and evolving every year. 

Ready to start your journey into the future of Canada’s energy landscape? Find the Renewable Energy Systems program details here.