Solar energy in 2015 is in an enviable position throughout much of the world. Companies in the business of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy employ more people than any other renewable energy market segment, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). While the industry as a whole is still growing, it is also seeing new market opportunities that come from maturation. The question for solar is not if it will expand, but by how much.
The solar landscape today
Many solar companies are expanding their teams, but are finding it difficult to recruit as the market becomes more candidate-driven. This situation is likely to intensify for the solar energy sector in the short term because growth is not the only notable feature of the present market. The industry is taking on age – and the problems and opportunities that entails. The solar story, for example, is no longer just about new installation – it’s also about maintaining the 17.5 GW already installed.
The industry is beginning to face what every other industry eventually faces; how to take care of systems that need repair. These are power plants. There are soiling issues, degradation issues, and maintenance issues. Developers have dominated the industry so far, but they aren’t necessarily positioned to take on long-term maintenance.
Meanwhile, investors who care about operating performance, rather than just monetising tax benefits, are taking notice. This gives rise to a new market for asset management services that not only optimise the physical plant, but also maintain contracts, and manage on-going costs and financials, such as insurance premiums.
With more affordable solar energy spreading around the world, the industry has already seen an increase in demand for qualified solar panel engineers. Solar engineering may be a relatively new field within engineering, but as the demand for solar grows, so too will the demand for engineers – to research, develop and implement new solar technology. According to the Solar Foundation, 53 per cent of manufacturing firms report they are having difficulty hiring qualified solar engineers.
