RE+ 2025 Recap: Innovation, Workforce Solutions, and Renewable Energy Growth
The RE+ 2025 conference in Las Vegas, NV, brought together over 40,000 renewable energy professionals from across the globe, making it one of the largest clean energy events in North America. Held September 9–11 at Caesars Palace and The Venetian, the event showcased not only the latest in renewable energy technology but also highlighted the growing workforce challenges facing the industry. Smart Labor Management (SLM) was proud to attend and contribute to conversations shaping the future of solar, battery storage, and data center construction projects.
A Showcase of Renewable Energy Innovation
The exhibition halls buzzed with creativity, featuring more than 1,500 exhibitors unveiling solar panels, battery storage solutions, EV infrastructure, and software innovations. Attendees experienced everything from immersive displays to interactive demonstrations, underscoring the rapid growth of the sector. Some of our favorite activations included the solar sheep and the SEC Solar mechanical bull, which drew major crowds for their mix of fun and innovation. These activations reflected the momentum of a sector where creativity meets scalability, showcasing how design and engagement can capture attention while demonstrating the serious potential of renewable energy technology.
Addressing Renewable Workforce Challenges
While the technology on display was inspiring, one theme emerged in nearly every conversation: manpower. The renewable energy industry is expanding at an unprecedented pace, with U.S. solar employment growing by 3.7% in 2023 to reach over 263,000 workers, according to SEIA. Yet, demand continues to outpace workforce availability, and by 2030, the clean energy transition is projected to create more than 1 million new jobs in the U.S. alone. This intensifies the need for contingent skilled labor solutions, and this is where Smart Labor Management makes a difference.
Our platform goes beyond connecting contractors with workers; it manages the entire lifecycle of the temporary workforce. From onboarding and credentialing to compliance tracking, license verification, and safety management, our system provides real-time visibility into workforce data and ensures that the right people with the right certifications are on-site at the right time. By streamlining this process, we give project managers the ability to keep their projects on schedule and in compliance, while removing ambiguity from one of the most critical aspects of renewable energy construction.
Building Strong Partnerships in Renewable Energy
Networking at RE+ was invaluable, and one of our highlights was deepening our partnership with ORR Protection, where we joined their Happy Hour and Product Demo event. Meeting with their leadership in Las Vegas reinforced the critical role Smart Labor Management plays in avoiding staffing downtime and compliance risks. In industries where every hour matters, workforce missteps aren’t an option, and our collaboration with ORR demonstrates how manpower solutions can create efficiency and confidence in high-stakes projects. Together, we are helping redefine what workforce management in renewable energy looks like.
The Key to Renewable Energy’s Future
As solar farms, battery storage projects, and data centers continue to scale, the ability to plan labor needs, manage staffing daily, and maintain compliance will be the difference between project success and costly delays. The U.S. aims for 100% clean electricity by 2035, but workforce shortages remain a top barrier, with 81% of contractors reporting difficulty filling craft positions, according to the Associated General Contractors of America. With billions in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act driving new projects, the renewable energy sector needs scalable workforce solutions more than ever. At Smart Labor Management, we are ensuring renewable energy companies can focus on execution, not paperwork, by powering projects with the skilled labor and compliance tracking they need to succeed.
The Path Forward
RE+ 2025 reminded us that while technology fuels innovation, people power progress. From the bold exhibits to the impactful conversations, we left Las Vegas energized and motivated to continue providing the workforce solutions that power the renewable energy transition. As renewable energy projects push boundaries across the U.S., Smart Labor Management is proud to be the partner ensuring that skilled hands and sharp minds come together seamlessly to build the future.