With the rapid deployment of renewables, energy poverty and climate change will be a thing of the past. Recent events such as the financial crisis, the Fukushima nuclear accident, and large oil spills have had dramatic impacts on societies around the world, and new climate science has added to the urgency of advancing renewable technologies. Read on to find out how you can get involved with renewable energy technology. In this article, we’ll look at three of the most important areas in renewable energy technology.
IRENA offers 41,000 jobs in renewable energy technology
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the number of renewable energy jobs in the world is now four thousand. Solar heating and cooling equipment alone accounts for nearly 40 percent of all these jobs, while wind power and solar PV only account for 15 percent of all renewable energy jobs. But IRENA’s number of renewable energy jobs is growing every year, and the country is one of the largest employers of this technology.
IRENA’s report finds that the renewable energy sector is growing by more than four thousand jobs a year in the United States. The American Wind Energy Association corroborates IRENA’s report, claiming that the industry added 20 percent between 2014 and 2015, with the vast majority of these jobs occurring in the “wind project development and construction” subsector. And IRENA’s estimate is only an estimate.
Wind power
There are several types of renewable energy technology jobs available in the wind power industry. These engineers work on wind turbine development, manufacturing, and testing. They also supervise manufacturing in factories. They troubleshoot design problems and estimate production time. Some supervisory engineers oversee a team of engineers and manage multiple projects. Renewable energy technology jobs in wind power are a good fit for individuals with a strong scientific background. Here are some examples of job descriptions:
The manufacturing sector is an important part of the wind power industry. This sector employs many different occupations, from machinists to computer-controlled machine tool operators, assemblers, welders, and quality-control inspectors. Industrial production managers are also needed. Job duties are similar to those of manufacturing employees in other industries.
Manufacturers also employ a variety of technicians who service wind turbines.
Solar PV
The demand for solar panel installers is expected to rise by 52% between 2016 and 2030, much faster than the national average. This rapidly-growing industry provides a variety of professional opportunities, from competitive salaries to personal development. As the world shifts away from fossil fuels, the number of jobs in solar energy technology will continue to grow. Here are three reasons to pursue a career in solar energy. This growing field is highly desirable for professionals with a background in construction, mechanics, or electrician.
In 2018 alone, China was the leading employer of solar heating and cooling workers, with a workforce of over 670 000. The decentralised nature of renewable energy provides extraordinary job opportunities. As of 2018, only 52% of the world’s population had access to electricity. This number has dropped to less than 10% in rural areas, where unemployment is already high. In addition to the global shortage of solar panel workers, countries like India and Indonesia are also rapidly expanding the industry.
Solar heating/cooling equipment manufacturing
Assemblers work on complex electronic equipment. In solar power manufacturing, these assemblers put together the final products. This includes the complex electrical circuitry of photovoltaic panels and other solar equipment. Electrical and electronics assemblers may also use automated systems to put together small electronic components. Most solar heating/cooling equipment manufacturers use industrial controls to monitor production. These workers may work in an office, laboratory, or manufacturing plant. They may travel to different worksites. These are among the most sought-after solar power occupations and hiring for these engineers is quite competitive. In 2010, the Solar Foundation reported difficulties hiring qualified engineers.
The solar energy industry has seen rapid growth in recent years. In 2018, there were 334,992 solar power jobs and 242,343 full-time positions. But between 2013 and 2018, the industry lost nearly 8,000 full-time positions. Some attribute this to state policies and tariffs. However, solar employment continued to grow at a faster rate than overall U.S. employment during this period.
