In March, the US Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy noticed a marked uptick in interest in the industry from women.
With women currently making up 1/3 of the solar energy workforce, and only 5.5% of solar installers, the Office’s findings is encouraging news. The department’s coverage attributed the uptick to the expansion in opportunities within the sector wherein women can flourish.
As a concern for the solar workforce’s diversity and inclusion, the US Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Offices (SETO) launched a programme to support communities, employers, and training providers, called the Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships programme.
Recipients included organisations such as the nonprofit Red Cloud Renewable, on Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. This organisation will use its funding from SETO to recruit Native American women into solar energy roles and provide them with training.
The Office provided another example in Amicus O&M Cooperative, noting that the organisation is in the process of launching a partnership aimed at placing newly trained workers in jobs and helping current workers progress their careers.
This will be done with a focus on increasing equity while maintaining secure safety and professional quality.
Women in solar energy
In its coverage, the office shared the stories of several women working in the solar energy industry.
Jan Scott, inspired by the impact a pole-mounted solar array had on her community in the Navajo Nation, has become a lead solar panel installer for Independent Power Systems.
Riley Neugebauer, a solar installer and residential electrical apprentice for Namaste Solar, aims to empower women in solar through her networking group. Through this group participating women can connect, mentor, share wisdom, and leverage the network to find open industry roles.
For Neugebauer, her solar career provides financial stability and comfort for her family on a single income.
In the Office’s coverage, Neugebauer said: “I created this group, which is all about ‘How do we get more women in the trades? But also, ‘How do we create more connection and networking for women so that it’s not as hard and doesn’t feel as challenging when you’re trying to get into a field that’s really male-dominated?”
“I want to show other women with my story, my background, that if I can do it, you can do it.”
International figures
Looking globally, the US isn’t the only solar sector looking to empower its female workforce.
According to Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) 40% of the solar workforce is female, but while 30% of managerial roles are occupied by women only 17% of senior management positions are held by women.
To encourage the female solar workforce, the WiSEu Network (of which Solar & Storage Xtra is a member) provides a space for women to network both online and in person, mentor and be mentored, develop their careers, and learn more about the industry.
Likewise, POWERful Women (PfW) is a partner of Solar & Storage Xtra that encourages DE&I within the UK’s solar sector.
With a target of seeing 40% of middle management and leadership roles in the industry occupied by women by 2030, the organisation works with the government, regulators, business leaders, and DE&I experts to attract and empower diverse talent.
