India’s solar energy push to generate 1 mn green jobs

India’s goal to dramatically expand solar energy could trigger a green jobs boom adding one million new engineers, technicians, solar installers, maintenance workers and performance data monitors to its workforce, according to a new report released by Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and the Council on Energy,Environment and Water (CEEW).

The report outlines the types of new jobs and new training facilities and institutes needed for India to reach its ambitious national target to add 100 gigawatts (GW) of installed solar energy by 2022.

“India has a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate how a growing economy can scale up green energy – creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and boosting renewable power – and protect our climate while meeting rising energy demands. This comprehensive assessment of the variety of jobs, skills and training that needed as India expands its solar industry will help realise Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to transition to a low-carbon economy,” said Nehmat Kaur, NRDC India New jobs that would be needed includes up to 210,800 skilled plant design and site engineers; 624,600 semi-skilled technicians for construction of solar projects; and 182,400 workers in various low-skilled jobs such as ongoing operations and maintenance for both rooftop solar and utility-scale solar projects, according to the report released today. Read More…