Employment Opportunity
WFWE EXCLUSIVE
This section identifies types of occupations. Employment opportunity could be created for someone currently working in an existing occupation, a newly created position within an existing occupation or a new occupation. Based on information about the business opportunity for the solar energy industry, the outlook is good for a variety of occupations focused on producing electricity as well as a potential for occupations in manufacturing some photovoltaic equipment. Employment opportunity and the types of occupations required for producing electricity relates directly to the size and complexity of the installation. MicroFIT sized projects (less than 10 kilowatts) will require fewer occupations than the larger FIT sized projects.
Producing Electricity
There are many steps involved in planning, building and operating a photovoltaic installation. These steps can be loosely grouped into three phases:
1. Planning, Engineering and Design
2. Installation
3. Operations and maintenance
Each requires various occupations.
Phase One: Planning, Engineering and Design
This phase can create employment opportunity for these types of occupations:
- Solar designer
- System designer
- Project manager
- Electrical engineer
- Structural engineer
- Civil engineer
- Engineering technologist or technician
- Sales
- Administration
The Electricity Sector Council website provides career profiles for several solar energy occupations.
Click here to view the career profile for solar designer
Phase Two: Installation
This phase can create employment opportunity for these types of occupations:
- General foreman
- Electrician foreman
- Electrician
- Installer
- Roofer
- Quality assurance personnel
The Electricity Sector Council website provides career profiles for several solar energy occupations.
Click here to view the career profile for Electrician solar installation and maintenance
Click here to view the career profile for Solar Photovoltaic Installer
Many sources interviewed indicate there is an expected shortage of installers. The 2009 Labour Force Survey of the Canadian Solar Industry reports 78% of companies surveyed identifying shortages by 2011. Other identified potential shortages include systems design and integration, engineering, project management and sales.
Phase Three: Operations and Maintenance
- Research suggests there is less employment opportunity in this phase in comparison to phases one and two. This is partly because solar panels require little maintenance. However, as the size and complexity of the installation increases so does the need for occupations providing system monitoring, preventative maintenance, financial and administration tasks.
Another source providing descriptions of solar energy occupations is the Environmental Defence Fund’s Green Jobs Guidebook (pages 8–11). While this is a U.S. based resource and presents occupational titles and information different from other sources, the information provided is helpful. Click here to view
Producing Heat
There are many steps involved in planning, building and operating a solar thermal installation. These steps can be loosely grouped into three phases:
1. Planning, Engineering and Design
2. Installation
3. Operations and maintenance
Each requires various occupations.
Phase One: Planning, Engineering and Design
This phase can create employment opportunity for these types of occupations:
- Solar designer
- System designer
- Project manager
- HVAC engineer
- Engineering technician
The Electricity Sector Council website provides career profiles for several solar energy occupations.
Click here to view the career profile for solar designer
Phase Two: Installation
This phase can create employment opportunity for these types of occupations:
- Foreman
- Solar thermal installer
- Plumber
- HVAC technician
- Quality assurance
The Electricity Sector Council website provides career profiles for several solar energy occupations.
Click here to view the career profile for Solar Thermal Installer
Operations and Maintenance
This phase, just like the operations and maintenance of producing electricity, will generate limited employment opportunities in comparison to phases one and two depending on the size and complexity of the installation.
Manufacturing Equipment
Photovoltaic Technology and Solar Thermal Technology Equipment
Photovoltaic inverters and mounting systems were identified as the equipment most likely to be currently manufactured in Ontario in any real quantity.
Inverters:
No specific occupations or employment potential related to the manufacturing of inverters was identified through our research. However, it is assumed the occupations involved in the design and production of electronic components would be involved. Occupations could include electrical engineers and electronics technologists and technicians.
Mounting Systems:
Sources interviewed identified occupations involved in the manufacturing of mounting systems could include mechanical engineers and technologist for design, quality control personnel and those involved in such metal working activities as CNC machining, welding, drilling and milling.
A source providing descriptions of some solar energy manufacturing occupations is the Environmental Defence Fund’s Green Jobs Guidebook (page 8). While this is a U.S. based resource and presents occupational titles and information different from other sources, the information provided is helpful. Manufacturing occupations identified include:
- Solar hot water heater manufacturing technician
- PV fabrication & testing technician
- Solar lab technician
- Solar fabrication technician
Green Jobs Guide Book: A different kind of job guide to career seekers in the green energy sector.
