REI Mar-Apr 2012 - Renewable Energy Installer

News: Profile
Job centre
The number of solar jobs available in the UK, career trends within the solar
industry across the globe and the roles and responsibilities of solar professionals
who are in demand, has fluctuated throughout the year. Vicky Kenrick at
sustainability recruitment specialists, Allen & York, looks at current career trends
within the UK solar industry
rom April 2012, householders will
F
have to meet a certain standard
of energy efficiency before they
can be eligible for Feed-in Tariff
(FiT) subsidies for the power produced by
solar panels.
There are also mixed messages coming
from the government regarding the extent
of their future commitment to solar power in
the UK. Although Greg Barker, the minister
for Energy and Climate Change said the
government wanted growth in solar panel
installations to continue and proclaimed that
he is, “personally committed to ensuring
that the solar industry can prosper in the
longer term, sustaining green jobs at a critical
time for our economy,” there are still doubts
amongst industry experts who fear that cuts
will be too deep to allow companies to remain
profitable, potentially hindering the UK’s solar
job boom.
Huge potential in solar
The rise in the number of solar jobs available
in the UK between 2010 and 2011 does clearly
demonstrate the original success of the FiT
in creating jobs. Analysis carried out by REA
shows the number of people working in the
UK solar power sector has jumped by 22,000
to 25,000 over the last 18 months and could
reach 32,000 by April 2012. REA said the solar
jobs figures were a bright spot in an otherwise
gloomy economic outlook that underlined the
overall success of the FiT.
However, latest evidence from REA
and the Solar Trade’s Association’s (STA)
Solar Survey demonstrates how the cuts to
solar subsidies are leading to job losses. The
survey of 140 companies (4,055 workers) taken
before the FiT cuts, found that over half (56
per cent) planned to reduce their workforce
once the FiT cuts went ahead. Key findings
also show that 33 per cent of companies fear
12 | www.renewableenergyinstaller.co.uk
closure and 90 per cent say cuts are too deep
and too fast.
Job opportunities in the solar industry
are being created in the US and China –
nations where the solar industry is extremely
competitive. The US and China are currently
undergoing a solar trade war – in which
some companies from China are exporting
solar panels to the US below cost price in
order to drive out their competitors. This
has been criticised as damaging the US
economy. Global solar industry competition is
driving down cost and this in turn is creating
thousands of American jobs. Jigar Shah,
founder of SunEdison said: “Further price
declines driven by intense competition will
only grow more new jobs throughout the solar
value chain – especially in the US.”
Solar job opportunities
International Sustainability Recruitment
Consultancy, Allen & York specialises in
recruitment within the renewable energy
industry and despite the FiT changes, has
an increasing number of job opportunities
within the solar industry throughout Europe
and worldwide. Barbara Baran–Szlajnda,
solar recruitment consultant at the company
commented: “Whilst 2012 will be tough for the
solar industry, we do see a return to growth,
within Europe, as a result of demand from the
US, China and Japan. As global installations
grow, due to cost decreases, it is likely we will
continue to see jobs opportunities for solar
professionals in Europe, specifically in the
roles of project manager, technical engineer
and solar sales executive.”