What the Guru says
Hi Solar Guru. My son's an apprentice electrician. He's thinking about moving across to solar. Is this a good idea?
The solar industry is now one of the biggest technology industries in the world, and it's only going that way.
The other thing that makes it really interesting is there is so much variety, electrical work, batteries, helping to sell, design and installing it.
There's so many areas where you can go and it's only going up.
Working in solar – a good idea or silly?
The renewable energy industry, and solar, especially, has been experiencing significant employment growth over the past decade. This is driven by a combination of factors such as Federal and State Government support, reduced cost of solar panels and inverters and the need to de-carbon our economy.
Because of this, employment opportunities in the solar industry have been growing steadily. Fun facts about the industry are below:
- Employment Opportunities: The solar industry has steadily contributed to job creation in Australia. As solar installation numbers have grown, the number of installation companies across Australia has grown. From a handful in the early 2000s to over 5000 companies dedicated to solar installation. On these numbers alone, one can confidently predict that, currently, over 50,000 people work directly in the solar industry.
- Solar system installation, maintenance, and operation require a skilled workforce. Leading to employment opportunities for solar installers, electricians, engineers, project managers, sales representatives, and administrative staff. The only issue, it seems, is that the industry has attracted most male employees. This is partly due to the manual nature of some jobs. But also reflects the lower female participation in jobs like electrical engineering and the building industry. Hopefully, in years to come, a more gender balance can be achieved.
- Government Initiatives: The Australian government has implemented various initiatives and programs to promote the adoption of solar energy. Such as the Small-scale Renewable Energy Scheme (SRES) and the Large-scale Renewable Energy Target (LRET). These initiatives have supported the solar industry’s growth and subsequently created more job opportunities.
But there is more
- Demand: The demand for solar installations, both residential and commercial, has been increasing steadily in Australia. Especially as electricity prices have gone through the roof. This increased solar demand has created a greater need for skilled workers in this emerging industry.
- Technological Improvements: As solar and battery technologies advance, new job opportunities are emerging in areas such as energy storage, smart grid integration, smart home applications, solar panel distribution, as well as research and development. These developments contribute to the overall growth and diversification of employment opportunities.
- Regional Employment Growth: Australia’s need to install many solar farms over the next decade means many of the jobs related to this initiative will be generated in the regions.
- Training Opportunities: As the industry expands, there is a growing need for workers with more skills and capabilities. Therefore, This development creates the need for ongoing training and upskilling for existing and new employees to service the industry.
In summary
As the solar industry expands, it’s like many other industries in Australia right now. Whereby there is a shortage of suitably qualified staff. This shortage over time can lead to increased salaries. But also an increased cost to residential and commercial solar. Note that there are a number of qualifications that are needed. If you want to know what is required you can read out article here.
Should you consider purchasing solar, batteries, inverter or other renewable energy products, we recommend engaging with a qualified local supplier or installer to provide extensive advice. To find the right partner try our company finder and ask our recommended experts to assist you. Using a Your Energy Answers Authorised Partner will give you a well-vetted, experienced, reliable, and trustworthy company to serve your needs.
