Working towards a solar-powered Europe

The latest figures in our new EU Solar Jobs Report show that almost 650,000 people were employed in the European solar sector in 2022, marking a 39% growth from the previous year. We now estimate that an incredible 1 million workers will be employed by 2025. Previously, we had thought we wouldn’t hit the 1 million mark until 2030.

While this is certainly a big milestone, what we need now is action at EU and national level to ensure we build up a diverse solar workforce with quality skills. This can come in the form of a national assessment of skills gaps, specialised trainings, and skill-proofing energy policies. You can read more in-depth about these policy recommendations and others in our report. 

We made sure to highlight these exciting figures with a number of activities during #SolarJobsWeek at the end of September, including our Solar Skills Breakfast Briefing with Santina Bertulessi, Deputy Head of Cabinet for EU Commissioner for Jobs and Social Issues, Nicolas Schmit, and Henning Ehrenstein, Head of Unit for DG Grow.

This was followed by our report launch webinar, where SolarPower Europe's market intelligence team presented the main findings from the report, and the policy team de-briefed on the main policy recommendations. 

We look forward to the our next solar jobs-themed event coming in December: the #SolarWorksFair. The fair will gather solar companies, training facilities, and job seekers in one place online, making the vital link between all parties. Make sure to secure your spot.

Also in September, we celebrated the adoption of the Renewable Energy Directive by the European Parliament during Plenary week in Strasbourg. We were delighted to be joined by MEP Nicolás González Casares and Deputy Director-General of DG-ENER, Mechthild Wörsdörfer, as well as many other key players, instrumental in making this policy file a success over the 2 years and more of negotiations. Also a huge thank you to the SolarPower Europe team for your hard work in this area.

Looking to October, the team have already started the month with a busy schedule, from Nairobi to Malaga, for Renewable Energy Fourm Africa (REFA), and EU Industry Days. Now it is full steam ahead towards our biggest event of the year: RE-Source 2023. We look forward to seeing many of you in Amsterdam on 25-27 October.