When you think about renewable energy sources, what is the first one that comes to mind? It’s probably solar energy and with good reason.
Solar energy is the leading renewable energy source delivering environmentally friendly energy all over the world. The effect of this is its job market continues to grow.
In the U.S., solar energy was the only primary source of energy generation that recorded growth in 2024, jumping 88% to 18.6 gigawatts (GW), according to the September report by the Office of Energy Projects.
In this article, we’ll examine why solar energy has taken the leadership spot and how a career in solar energy might be the right choice for you.
Why Solar Has Taken Over Renewable Energy Growth
Solar energy has taken over because of lower costs over other renewable energy sources, scalability and government support.
Affordable
In the 1980s, families paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to install residential solar energy systems, and the costs kept rising with continued use.
Today, with photovoltaic (PV) technology advancements, solar cells can be manufactured quicker and cheaper than ever before, making it one of the cheapest ways to harness energy.
Wind energy comes in second, but it has had its own challenges thanks to the land it needs to operate.
Being affordable and cheaper than fossil fuels makes solar energy to be one of the most significant contributors to decarbonization.
Scalability
Whether you want to add solar power to a residential home PV cells are affordable and easy to install.
The ease with which you upscale, however, will depend on your geographic location. Northern countries with shorter daylight hours and unpredictable weather may encounter problems getting enough sunlight.
Although they don’t work for every roof, the technology has come a long way and continues to evolve.
Government Initiatives
Since 2020, many federal and state governments have offered grants or incentives for homeowners who want to install solar panels in their homes.
For example, the Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) provides homeowners with a tax credit of 26% of the cost of installing solar panels on their homes.
Small businesses could also benefit from rebates and tax credits. Specifically, rural businesses and farms that adopt solar panel systems and boost energy efficiency.
Solar Improvements
- Solar energy is cost-effective for both residential and commercial uses
- It offers extremely clean operations.
- Produces no greenhouse gases during operation.
- Releases very few to no emissions.
- Has a long lifecycle.
Solar vs. the Other Renewable Sources
Of course, solar offers many benefits, but it remains one of several renewable energy sources that companies adopt as they move away from fossil fuels.
Solar vs. Wind
Both sources output clean energy with no need for added fuel and depend on their location. Wind is certainly second place after solar power if the location lends itself to a wind farm.
However, Solar tends to be more efficient, with a lower maintenance cost, and a much easier installation.
Solar vs. Hydropower
Hydropower faces geographical limitations and creates a larger environmental footprint because it requires dams and often alters waterways. Installation is more expensive for hydropower and continuing operation and maintenance costs are too.
Solar vs. Bioenergy
Bioenergy or biomass energy is a renewable energy source, but not an entirely clean energy.
When organic matter is combusted to create energy, the biomass process produces carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions and requires oil-based transportation (trucks). This means solar is better but bioenergy is more eco-friendly and green than traditional fuels.
Start a Career in the Solar Industry
If you want to start a career in the solar energy industry as a recent graduate or are looking to switch careers, there are a number of positions available with different skill requirements.
Many are entry-level positions in sales, installations, and manufacturing. Others only require certifications that can be completed online.
Engineering positions require a university degree, but some companies may help you achieve your education if you agree to work for them or if you are a U.S. Veteran.
Job positions commonly advertised include:
- Solar Installer: Also known as a solar PV installer, they assemble, setup, and maintain solar panels that work to convert sunlight into energy.
- Solar Technician: After an installer sets up solar panels, technicians ensure that the systems stay running efficiently. Many installers become technicians after on-the-job training or may move between the two roles.
- Solar Engineer: Working in a number of areas in the solar industry, solar engineers research, design, and create new energy systems that are more efficient and affordable. Operating from an office or in the field, they may also collect and test data.
- Project Manager: Coordinates workers involved in solar installation by maintaining budgets and acting as a liaison between engineers, designers, and installers. This position may be filled by a senior engineer.
- Sales and Customer Service: Responsible for selling solar products, answering questions, ensuring good customer service, and making installation appointments.
- Solar Site Surveyor: Conducts site surveys for large-scale solar installation projects, ensuring all data is recorded and accurate.
Solar Skills for Success
The skills needed will vary depending on what role you’re applying for, but generally, good coordination and problem-solving skills can benefit a manual labor position.
For any role a passion to continue learning and good communication skills can make all the difference. Whether you’re communicating with customers in sales or teammates as an engineer, good communication can solve problems before they start.
For those looking for a career in solar technology, make sure you understand environmental policy and how renewable energy projects benefit and shape society.
What’s Next for the Solar Energy Sector?
According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, 53% of all the new electricity-generating capacity that was added to the US grid in 2023 was solar energy. Residential also grew more than 20%, with signs that it would keep on growing.
Many of the trends experts believe will take place in the coming years involve the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), advances in technology, and the reduction in cost to create solar farms. Here are five trends that could push solar power even further forward.
- Solar is more cost-effective in developing countries: Solar technology is getting cheaper to make and because it is decentralized, it can be installed on a smaller scale to meet local needs rather than relying on big corporations.
- Floating solar farms: Also called floatovoltaics, it bypasses the problem of finding land to host solar farms. Floating solar farms can take advantage of unused space and give renewable energy to coastal or offshore areas.
- Better and cheaper battery storage: One of the problems of everyone switching over to solar power was keeping up with demand during peak times. Advancements in large-scale batteries have meant better storage for less money.
- The evolution of PV technology: The development of paper-thin solar cells by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 2022 means solar panels are now more flexible and can be added almost anywhere without adding bulk or weight.
- AI optimizes operations: The solar industry has begun adopting AI to digest and utilize large amounts of data to identify and manage peak times for solar energy systems. AI is capable of identifying problems before they occur and minimizing repair costs.
These are just five of the most commonly discussed solar energy trends, with new developments in the energy industry occurring every day.
Conclusion
Solar energy is making a name for itself, and it looks like it will continue to grow as technological advancements and AI integration push it ahead of wind, hydropower, and bioenergy.
As the leading renewable energy source, the solar energy market offers many benefits to its customers and professionals.
If you have a passion for environmental policies and want to further the growth of renewable energy sources, consider your next career move into a solar energy job role.
