The SolarPower Europe association publishes its annual report on photovoltaic employment and warns: the decline in rooftop photovoltaic installations will impact job growth
EU Solar Jobs 2024: All the Data on Jobs in the Photovoltaic Sector
After years of rapid and unchallenged growth, 2024 could mark the first period of stagnation for jobs in the European photovoltaic (PV) sector. This is revealed in EU Solar Jobs, the annual report on solar employment produced by the SolarPower Europe association. The report tracks the workforce in the region, highlights the most promising markets, and offers insights into potential future scenarios.
Unfortunately, what clearly emerges from the report’s 44 pages is the sharp slowdown in the sector’s growth rate expected this year.
How many workers are employed in the European photovoltaic sector?
Let’s start with consolidated data: in recent years, the PV sector in the European Union (and beyond) has shown consistent growth. Installations and investments have increased, and so has employment. By the end of 2023, the EU solar sector provided 826,000 jobs, an increase of 27% compared to 2022.
This growth can be attributed, in part, to the specific historical-economic period. The energy crisis has led many nations to simplify and incentivize the purchase of PV systems, while the need for end-users to reduce energy bills has further driven demand.
However, momentum on the employment front seems to have stalled. The association forecasts only a 0.4% increase in the workforce for the current year at the EU level, growing from 826,000 employees in 2023 to 830,000 by the end of 2024.
This “pause” in growth is attributed to the “slowdown in solar installations.” “The impacts of the energy crisis have eased, and the deployment of solar energy is being hindered by limited system flexibility,” explains SolarPower Europe. “Upstream in the value chain, European solar manufacturing has faced significant challenges over the past 12 months, leading to production pauses and workforce reductions.”
Breakdown of “Solar Jobs”
How is the workforce distributed within the solar sector? Where are most of the jobs located? According to the report, the vast majority of solar jobs are concentrated in the development phase of installations (design and construction), with nearly 715,000 workers in the EU, accounting for almost 87% of total jobs—an increase of three percentage points compared to 2022.
The growing installed solar capacity is also driving O&M (Operation and Maintenance) activities, which secured 61,000 jobs in the EU last year. On the other hand, the EU’s manufacturing sector has faced multiple closures and cuts due to intense international competition, bringing the number of workers to 43,000—5,000 fewer than in 2022.
1 Million Solar Jobs Target Delayed
The ongoing slowdown will also impact the goal of reaching “1 million jobs in the photovoltaic sector,” a target that the EU was previously expected to achieve by 2025. If the slower trends in European installations continue, this workforce size is now projected to be reached by 2027, to support 88.5 GW of solar installations by that same year.
“Solar can offer over 1 million workers meaningful and high-quality careers in their local communities,” commented Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe. “These job opportunities cannot be taken for granted. We urge the new EU leadership to improve regulatory conditions to expand solar, support EU solar manufacturers, and develop a European strategy for solar skills.”
To ensure that the photovoltaic workforce is ready to meet the transition goals in the latter half of the decade, the Solar Jobs Report offers several policy recommendations:
- Assess the exact need for workers and skills at the national level.
- Create a career pathway within the renewable energy sector.
- Include an electrification skills strategy in the upcoming EU electrification action plan.
- Increase the visibility and attractiveness of STEM education and careers.
- Retrain workers from fossil fuel-based industries.
- Support the movement of skilled workers across Europe.
- Develop specific solar energy training within electrical vocational education.
How many photovoltaic jobs are there in Italy?
In this context, it’s worth focusing on the Italian market. Currently, Italy ranks fourth in Europe for employment in the photovoltaic sector, with a total of 76,000 workers. Only Germany (154,000 direct and indirect jobs), Poland (113,000), and Spain (91,000) have more.
What stands out at the national level is Italy’s annual growth rate. In 2022, the Italian photovoltaic workforce counted 41,911 employees. This significant increase of over 34,000 jobs in just one year is largely due to national policies promoting rooftop solar panel installations, a segment that accounts for more than 85% of PV jobs. And based on the new capacity added in 2024 at the national level, it is likely that the European slowdown will not affect Italy’s growth.
And in the future? According to the authors, by 2028 the list of member states that contribute the most to the creation of solar jobs is not expected to undergo major changes compared to the current landscape.
“The Netherlands, which ranked 6th in 2023, is expected to drop out of the top 7, replaced by Greece, while Spain, Italy, and France will surpass Poland and Romania,” the report reads.
In particular:
“The strong Italian photovoltaic market is fueling a flourishing job market, with the country expected to reach 100,000 jobs in the photovoltaic sector by 2028. This positions Italy as the third-largest contributor to solar jobs in the EU, a significant increase from last year’s fifth position.“
Read the EU Solar Jobs 2024 report here.
How to Find Jobs in the Photovoltaic Sector
One of the simplest methods to find job offers in the photovoltaic field is to browse job postings on dedicated websites, such as Indeed, Jooble It, or Subito. Each of these currently lists over a thousand national-level job offers, with high demand for roles like electricians, designers, and sales professionals. LinkedIn is also very useful, as it allows you to not only browse basic job offers but also, with the Premium version, send messages directly to recruiters.
For those interested in looking beyond national borders, there is the digital platform #SolarWorks (https://www.solarworksplatform.org/nl). What is it? It’s the first one-stop shop for jobs in the photovoltaic sector. This tool, created by the SolarPower Europe association, caters to job seekers, companies offering jobs, and training organizations. The site also helps to streamline job searches by allowing users to select various skills or capabilities to find the “perfect solar job.” And as a bonus, it also offers a training program to enhance skills in various fields.
Working in Photovoltaics: What Are the Most In-Demand Roles?
A recent market study conducted by SENEC identified the most sought-after professional roles in the photovoltaic field, which will continue to see high demand for a long time.
The identified profiles are:
- Photovoltaic System Designer, responsible for studying, assessing, and configuring the most suitable technical solution based on the final needs and the installation site, tailoring the project to the energy requirements. These roles are primarily filled by engineers and industrial experts. However, in some cases, technical managers from installation companies may also take on these tasks.
- Photovoltaic System Installer, specialized workers who handle the installation, startup of systems, connection to the electrical grid, and potential maintenance.
The essential requirements for these roles include one of the following:
- A degree in a specific technical field;
- A high school diploma or certification with a specialization in the relevant sector, followed by at least 2 continuous years of work experience with a company in the sector;
- A professional training certificate obtained after a 4-year apprenticeship with a company in the sector, acquired within a specific training program for renewable energy system installers.
- Sales Consultants for Photovoltaic Systems, professionals who handle sales but also serve as consultants, guiding customers towards the best purchase decision based on their needs.
Gender Equality in the Photovoltaic Industry
One of the most significant elements when discussing photovoltaics and employment is inclusivity. Unlike other energy sectors, the solar industry shows the highest gender parity rate. Data published by IRENA in January 2023 indicated that globally, 40% of employees in the solar sector were women, double the percentage in sectors like wind energy or oil.
Most women in the solar photovoltaic industry hold administrative positions (58%), followed by non-STEM technical roles.
