iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • BlackRock • Clean Energy
Expense Ratio
0.40%
AUM
$3.0B
Dividend Yield
0.80%
Inception
2008
Beginner Score
8/10
What is iShares Global Clean Energy ETF?
ICLN invests in companies worldwide that produce energy from solar, wind, and other renewable sources. It is one of the most popular clean energy ETFs, giving investors exposure to the global transition away from fossil fuels. The fund holds a mix of utility-scale renewable producers and clean energy technology firms across developed and emerging markets.
ICLN is managed by BlackRock and has been available since 2008. With $3.0B in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.40%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $40 per year in management fees.
ICLN at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.40% |
| Total Holdings | 100 |
| P/E Ratio | 28.5 |
| Beta | 1.25 |
| Dividend Yield | 0.80% |
| AUM | $3.0B |
| Inception Year | 2008 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in ICLN
ICLN holds 100 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Enphase Energy Inc. | ENPH | 8.00% |
| 2 | First Solar Inc. | FSLR | 7.00% |
| 3 | SolarEdge Technologies | SEDG | 5.00% |
| 4 | Vestas Wind Systems | VWS.CO | 5.00% |
| 5 | Plug Power Inc. | PLUG | 4.00% |
| 6 | Orsted A/S | ORSTED.CO | 4.00% |
| 7 | Iberdrola SA | IBE.MC | 4.00% |
| 8 | Consolidated Edison | ED | 3.50% |
| 9 | Brookfield Renewable | BEP | 3.50% |
| 10 | NextEra Energy Partners | NEP | 3.00% |
Recommended: This beginner-friendly ETF course on Udemy covers everything from ETF fundamentals to building a recession-proof portfolio in 7 days.
ICLN Performance History
Here's how ICLN has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
-5.00%
1 Year
-10.00%
3 Year
-15.00%
5 Year
4.00%
10 Year
6.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 8/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
ICLN scores 8/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, offers broad diversification across 100 holdings, and has been available since 2008, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy ICLN — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "ICLN" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares Global Clean Energy ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into ICLN
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With ICLN's expense ratio of 0.40%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $3,334 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
Get the Free ETF Portfolio Blueprint
3 model portfolios for beginners — Conservative, Balanced, and Growth. See exactly which ETFs to buy.
Pros and Cons of ICLN
Pros
- ✓Direct exposure to the global renewable energy transition theme
- ✓Diversified across solar, wind, hydrogen, and other clean technologies
- ✓Global portfolio reduces dependence on any single country's energy policy
- ✓Long track record since 2008 provides extensive historical performance data
Cons
- ✗Highly volatile sector that can suffer steep drawdowns during risk-off periods
- ✗Sensitive to government policy changes and subsidy levels around the world
- ✗Rising interest rates have historically pressured high-growth clean energy stocks
ICLN vs Similar ETFs
See how ICLN stacks up against similar funds:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ICLN a good ETF for beginners?▾
ICLN has a Beginner Suitability Score of 8/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of ICLN?▾
ICLN has an expense ratio of 0.40%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $40 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in ICLN?▾
You can invest in ICLN with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does ICLN pay dividends?▾
Yes, ICLN pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 0.80%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in ICLN?▾
The top holdings in ICLN include Enphase Energy Inc. (8.00%), First Solar Inc. (7.00%), SolarEdge Technologies (5.00%), and more. The fund holds 100 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.