Que: In addition to providing energy security and environmental sustainability, renewable energy can also generate large scale employment opportunities. What are your views on it?

Ans: Renewable energy is a rapidly growing sector and with the government’s ambitious capacity addition targets, there are substantial employment opportunities across the value chain- manufacturing, installation, operation, and maintenance of renewable energy systems. According to a report by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), the renewable energy sector in India has the potential to create up to 1 million jobs by 2030.

Solar industry has already created jobs in areas such as solar panel manufacturing, project management, installation, and maintenance. Additionally, the development of renewable energy in India will stimulate R&D and local manufacturing and supply chains, creating additional job opportunities. In addition, indirect job opportunities in other sectors such as transportation, logistics, and construction will also be created.

Que: With India’s target of 280 GW of solar energy by 2030, do you think that the solar sector has the potential to be a major employment hub for the country’s jobs of the future?

Ans: Yes, the solar sector has great potential to become an employment hub in India. Achieving India's solar target could create over 330,000 direct jobs and over a million indirect jobs by 2030. These jobs would be in manufacturing, construction, operations, and maintenance, as well as in the supply chain and service sectors. Furthermore, the growth of the solar sector could create opportunities for innovation and research and development, which can contribute to the development of new technologies and the growth of related industries. To fully realise the potential of the solar sector as a major employment hub, it will require government support in terms of policies, regulations, and incentives to attract investment and promote growth in the sector. Additionally, efforts should be made to promote the development of a skilled workforce and support the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises in the solar sector.

Que: Shed some light on the current state of job creation in the solar sector and the policy measures being taken by the government to promote employment opportunities in the industry.

Ans: The sector created 164,400 jobs in India in 2020, despite the pandemic's impact on the economy. Apart from policies that support the growth of the sector, thus adding jobs, the government has taken up skill development programs to provide training to workers in the solar sector. These programs aim to create a skilled workforce that can meet the growing demand for solar installations and maintenance.

Additionally, the government has also launched various programs to promote the use of solar energy, such as the Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahaabhiyan (KUSUM) scheme, which aims to promote solar water pumps and grid-connected solar power plants. These programs can create employment opportunities in the installation and maintenance of solar power systems.

Que: What are the new job trends that are shaping the future of solar energy sector?

Ans: Emergence of new job roles in energy storage technology, including battery engineers, battery chemists, and energy storage system designers. Similarly, in EV, design, installation, and maintenance of EV charging infrastructure will require new job roles. Integration of solar energy with Smart Grids will create new job roles in the areas of grid management, energy trading, and energy market analysis. Additionally, the growth of the solar industry has created a need for professionals in the field of green finance, such as project finance managers, risk analysts, and investment bankers. These professionals are needed to secure funding for solar projects and manage their financial aspect.

Que: What steps should be taken to align the skilling initiatives as per requisite demand in order to meet the 2030 progressive renewable energy capacity deployment goal?

Ans: The first step is to identify the skills required for the solar sector's various job roles. A mapping exercise can be undertaken to identify the skills required for the different stages of the solar project lifecycle, such as manufacturing, installation, operation, and maintenance. Once the skills required have been mapped, a skill gap analysis can be conducted to identify the gaps in the current workforce's skills. This analysis will help in identifying the areas where skilling initiatives are required. A skilling framework can be developed based on the skill gap analysis, which outlines the skills required for different job roles and the training programs required to develop these skills. Once the skilling framework is in place, training and certification programs will need to be designed and implemented to upskill and reskill the current workforce. These training programs can be delivered through a variety of methods, including classroom-based training, online courses, and on-the-job training. For on-the-job training- National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) can also be utilised.

The solar industry must collaborate with academic institutions to develop courses and programs that meet the skill requirements of the industry. This will help in bridging the skill gap and create a pipeline of skilled workers for the solar sector.

Que: What are the critical skill training challenges that the industry faces today and how to overcome them?

Ans: One of the significant challenges facing the solar industry is a lack of awareness among the workforce about the solar industry's potential and the job opportunities it presents. Addressing this challenge requires extensive awareness programs and campaigns that showcase the potential of the solar industry and the career opportunities it offers. Another significant challenge is the availability of a skilled workforce. The solar industry requires highly skilled workers, and the lack of skilled workers can lead to delays and cost overruns. Addressing this challenge requires extensive training programs that provide high-quality education and training to the workforce.

The solar industry is a rapidly evolving industry, and it requires workers who are up-to-date with the latest technologies and trends. Addressing this challenge requires regular training programs that keep the workforce up-to-date with the latest technological advances in the industry. Safety is also a critical concern in the solar industry, and workers must be trained on the best safety practices to avoid accidents and injuries. Extensive safety training programs that equip the workforce with the necessary safety knowledge and skills is required.

Training programs can be expensive, and cost can be a significant challenge for both employers and employees. Government support, subsidies, and incentives are necessary to promote training and education programs in the solar industry. The solar industry requires a workforce with specialized technical skills, such as solar panel installation, maintenance, and repair. However, there is a shortage of workers with these skills. Therefore, it is essential to provide technical training programs that equip workers with the necessary skills. Additionally, industry associations and government agencies can also play a critical role in developing training programs that meet the industry's specific needs.

Que: What would be your message to people who want to join solar energy sector?

Ans: Joining the solar energy sector is an excellent opportunity to be a part of an industry that is making a positive impact on the environment while also contributing to the country's energy security. It is an industry that is rapidly growing, creating numerous job opportunities for skilled and passionate individuals. Working in the solar energy sector requires a commitment to excellence, a passion for innovation, and a deep sense of responsibility towards the environment. It also requires a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies, as the industry is constantly evolving. At Amplus, we believe in investing in our people and providing them with the necessary training and development opportunities to excel in their roles. If you are passionate about renewable energy and want to make a meaningful impact, the solar energy sector is the perfect place to start your career.