The solar industry needs more and more specialists. And at the moment, many people work in this sector around the world - about 9 million people. In 2030, their number will probably reach 20 million, and in 2050 - as many as 60 million, according to a study on the development of the energy labor market.
Solar installations are being installed more and more intensively: in 2023 alone, solar modules with a total capacity of 444 gigawatts were installed, and in 2024 - according to forecasts - another 574 gigawatts will be added to them, Actualno.com specifies. In this regard, more than 12 million workers will be needed in the industry already this year. Experts predict that by 2050, solar energy will become the most important on a global scale.
On the one hand, new jobs are opening up in modern factories for the production of solar cells and modules. There, a lot of personnel are needed for development, programming, installation, maintenance, logistics and sales. According to estimates by the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA, in 2022, 2 million people worked in the production of modules, 1.8 million of them in China.
But the most footage is needed for the installation of the solar facilities. At least for now, there are not many opportunities for specialized training of just such personnel - and therefore most workers come from other professions. Engineers, electricians, technicians and roof construction experts are especially in demand.
What does a solar specialist do?
Solar specialists, also called solar installers, are responsible for the entire process of installing the panels on roofs or other areas. In addition, they plan the construction of solar facilities, advise customers, calculate the likely capacity and costs of parts and installation. They should also be aware of the installation of storage batteries for the roof structure.
Many companies train their own employees. At the same time, seminars are offered, lasting weeks or months, in which the necessary knowledge is acquired. In Germany, these types of courses are usually paid for by companies or the Employment Agency. In Switzerland, meanwhile, there is an opportunity for three-year professional training in this field - the first courses will start this summer. In addition, more and more higher education institutions are including relevant content in their curricula for certain technical majors, thus preparing students for the energy revolution.
The most personnel in this field are sought where especially many solar facilities are being built - in China, Europe, USA, India, Brazil, South Africa, Australia, but also in Pakistan, Turkey and the countries of the Persian Gulf such as the United Arab Emirates, where solar complexes are being built on particularly large areas. In countries like Germany, the shortage of specialists is so great that personnel are sought even abroad.