The top 15 US cities where clean energy jobs are booming

Sean Pavone

Cities are increasingly turning to clean energy jobs to boost their economies and keep electricity bills low.

In the United States, 50 metropolitan areas account for half of all clean energy jobs, according to a recent report by Environmental Entrepreneurs.

About 1.8 million clean energy workers are employed in these 50 cities, working in construction, manufacturing, and transmission and distribution - with a focus on employment in solar energy, wind energy, and advanced biofuels.

In California, the country's largest solar market and home of the top-ranked Los Angeles metropolitan area, more than 500,000 people work in the solar industry. The growth of jobs in New York City, which ranked second, is part of Governor Andrew Cuomo's statewide commitment to renewable energy. Earlier this year, the governor also announced that companies such as Granada Solar, Cypress Creek Renewables, and others would build more than 20 solar farms throughout the state.

Environmental Entrepreneurs' report features 33 states and Washington, DC. Take a look at the top 15 metro areas for clean energy jobs: