Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) have become popular in North America in a wide range of industries, including the clean energy sector, whose appeal is rapidly increasing.
For investors looking to gain exposure to the cleantech market, investing in individual stocks can be daunting considering the broad reach of this market sector.
The cleantech umbrella covers a range of sectors, including renewable energy technologies, such as wind and solar; battery technologies for electric vehicles and large-scale energy storage systems; agritech, water treatment and air purification systems; built environment technologies; carbon capture, biofuels and green hydrogen.
ETFs have become so popular partially because they provide a safer way for investors to gain exposure to various industries while avoiding the volatility that comes with investing in individual stocks, making ETFs a good fit for investors looking for exposure to the cleantech sector’s many options.
Below is a look at the five top clean energy ETFs to consider, ranked by total assets under management. All numbers and figures were gathered using ETFdb.com and were current as of January 13, 2026. Read on to learn about the options available to investors.
1. iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (NASDAQ:ICLN)
Total assets under management: US$2 billion
Expense ratio: 0.39 percent
The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF was created on June 24, 2008, and has a large portfolio of domestic and international stocks. An analyst report on the ETF states that it ‘likely doesn’t deserve’ a large weighting in an investor’s long-term portfolio. It suggests that the fund could instead be useful as a satellite holding that looks at a fraction of the market that is often overlooked by less focused ETFs.
The iShares Global Clean Energy ETF has 103 holdings. Three of its top-weighted holdings are Bloom Energy (NYSE:BE), First Solar (NASDAQ:FSLR) and Sunrun (NASDAQ:RUN). In terms of performance, this ETF has a one year return rate of 59.37 percent.
2. Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF (ARCA:PBW)
Total assets under management: US$761.07 million
Expense ratio: 0.64 percent
Launched on March 3, 2005, the Invesco WilderHill Clean Energy ETF focuses on clean energy companies using green and renewable energy, and technologies that help with cleaner energy. Its holdings also include mineral companies focused on critical metals necessary for clean energy.
Currently, of the 64 stocks it holds, this ETF’s top-weighted holdings include Bloom Energy, Lifezone Metals (NYSE:LZM), and Lithium Argentina (TSX:LAR). Its one year return rate comes in at 69.48 percent.
3. First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy (NASDAQ:QCLN)
Total assets under management: US$572.57 million
Expense ratio: 0.56 percent
The First Trust NASDAQ Clean Edge Green Energy Index Fund, which came into existence on February 14, 2007, is a unique member of the alternative energy category, according to ETFdb.com. Why? Because it offers broad exposure by also investing in companies across a wide range of green energy subsectors, including biofuels, solar energy and advanced batteries.
Three of its 50 holdings with the highest weights are Bloom Energy, ON Semiconductor (NASDAQ:ON) and Rivian Automotive (NASDAQ:RIVN). The one year return rate for this ETF is 43.45 percent.
4. State Street SPDR S&P Kensho Clean Power ETF (ARCA:CNRG)
Total assets under management: US$195.57 million
Expense ratio: 0.45 percent
The SPDR S&P Kensho Clean Power ETF was launched in October 2018 and tracks companies whose products and services are driving innovation in the clean energy sector, including the areas of solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric power. It has 44 holdings.
Three of the fund’s top holdings include Bloom Energy, SolarEdge Technologies (NASDAQ:SEDG), and Ormat Technologies (NYSE:ORA). Its one year return performance stands at 55.67 percent.
5. ALPS Clean Energy ETF (ARCA:ACES)
Total assets under management: US$112.07 million
Expense ratio: 0.55 percent
The ALPS Clean Energy ETF was formed fairly recently, on June 29, 2018. The fund tracks the CIBC Atlas Clean Energy Index, providing exposure to a diverse set of US and Canadian companies involved in the clean energy sector, including renewables and clean technology.
This ALPS ETF has 39 holdings, and some of its top holdings are Albemarle (NYSE:ALB), Ormat Technologies and Sunrun. It has a one year return of 31.92 percent.
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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