The need to improve the skills of employees entering the rapidly growing solar energy sector

India’s goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070 and 50% renewable energy by 2030 has significantly increased job opportunities and demand for skilled workers in the solar industry. India’s solar sector employed 282,000 on- and off-grid workers in 2022, a number that is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, according to a report by the International Renewable Energy Agency.

With increasing employment opportunities across all sub-sectors of the solar industry, there is a need to utilise skilled labour and expand training programmes to meet future requirements as India emerges as a leader in renewable energy.

Arpit Sharma, COO, Skill Council For Green Jobs, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, highlights the potential for creation of over 2 million jobs in the solar rooftop and utility projects sector in the next six years. “The government’s target of achieving 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030 is significant. We need increased investment and funds for training programmes and upskilling of workers to meet such future needs. The industry, which requires a huge workforce to achieve this target, has not invested enough in training technicians,” says Sharma.

The council has trained around 125,000 technicians, comprising ITI and polytechnic graduates, in the last five years. This has met the demand for blue-collar roles, as it has provided training for solar assistants, electricians, maintenance workers, operational staff and solar finance experts. “There is also a need to improve the interpersonal skills of those employed in the solar sector. It is crucial that our technicians employed on large projects know how to interact with customers, communicate effectively and have digital skills,” says Sharma.

Akshat Jain, CEO of solar company KLK India, says finding skilled labour is becoming a challenge, which is affecting the growth of solar projects. “While demand for solar professionals is high, finding candidates with the necessary technical skills and experience remains a major challenge. This shortage can hamper the growth of solar initiatives and projects, underlining the need for focused efforts to train and develop a more skilled workforce that can meet the demands of the industry,” says Jain, who has hired 400 technicians in the past five years.

Need for diploma qualifications

While government initiatives like the Suryamitra Skill Development Programme are providing training to prepare field technicians for the industry, there is a need for qualifications that prepare individuals for specialist positions in project management, design, cost estimation and consultancy. Only a few institutes in the country offer exclusive degree courses in solar energy; the discipline is also part of various courses focusing on renewable energy.

Ravi Keshwar Kumar, professor at the Department of Physics at Jamia Millia Islamia, which offers a BVoc in solar energy, says that courses in the subject prepare students for employment in manufacturing and design roles that require specialized education in the sector. “These courses provide a comprehensive understanding of the solar industry, including related disciplines like electrical, electronics and design. Students learn not only technical skills like installing and operating solar panels, but also software like AutoCAD and PVWatts,” says Kumar, adding that almost 50% of JMI students find employment in organisations like SAEL Limited, Loom Solar, Solar Monkey and others after completing the course, where they are hired as technical engineers and in design positions.

“There is an urgent need for more comprehensive courses on solar energy. However, setting up advanced solar labs and facilities requires a lot of capital, so there is always a financial crunch. With the right labs and technology, we can also compete with China, which has developed advanced drone technology for maintaining and servicing solar units,” says Kumar.

Rahul Nainwal, director of the School of Business, UPES, which offers an MBA in energy management, highlights the growing demand for diverse roles in the solar energy sector beyond entry-level technician positions. “Management, academic and consulting roles are key as they provide expertise in strategy, policy, project and market analysis, helping companies navigate the complex renewable energy landscape. However, specialized courses are needed to meet the growing demand. Achieving global sustainability goals also requires a well-educated workforce in renewable energy, including the solar sector. In addition, more academic programs can drive research and innovation,” he says.

Supporting entrepreneurship

In February 2024, the government launched the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which encourages people to install 3-kilowatt (KW) solar panels on their roofs by providing them with subsidies. “This initiative is targeted at the rural and semi-urban population. Almost 30% of the technicians we train become entrepreneurs who run small businesses installing and servicing solar panels. This number will increase in the near future to have more entrepreneurs and dealers who will expand the reach of solar energy,” says Sharma.

Solar Industry Pressure at State Level

States like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, followed by Haryana and Punjab, are the most proactive in harnessing solar energy. “These states are leading in solar power because of their radiation potential, which determines the quantity and quality of sunlight. Moreover, there is also a state-level push from these states in terms of policies and schemes,” says Sharma, who adds that land availability in these states could also be one of the reasons.