Many jobs and professions have emerged from the Solar PV industry since its inception, with research and development institutions playing a foundational role in investigating and leading innovative practices. A prime example is the Solar Energy Institute at the Technical University of Madrid (IES-UPM), which pioneered as one of the first research centers dedicated to PV solar energy conversion, laying the groundwork for Spain’s development in solar technology. Their first major commercial impact came in 1981 with the creation of ISOFOTON. At that time, based on their innovative bifacial cell invention, the company grew to become Europe’s largest solar cell manufacturer in the early 2000s.
The institute’s groundbreaking achievements continued through the late 1990s and 2000s, including the invention of intermediate band solar cells in 1997 (cited over 1000 times in scientific journals) and achieving a world record 32.4% efficiency with GaInP/GaAs cells at 1000 suns concentration in 2008. Their success spawned numerous influential spin-off companies, including ETSI-UPM (which partnered with BP for EUCLIDES concentrator technology), ISFOC (focused on large-scale PV plant development), LPI (which commercialized optical designs for companies like Boeing), and INSPIRA (which became a global leader in high-precision concentrator tracking systems).
While universities provide a solid foundation for cutting-edge innovation, they also need funding from governments in order to sustain their scientific research. Market developments play an important role as well. Since 2015, many solar PV European companies (including ISOFOTON) declared bankruptcy as they could not compete with cheaper mass produced Chinese solar panels. Scientific research funding tends to be closely tied to market and supply chain developments given its political implications.
The solar PV industry operates under strict safety and consistency regulations that ensure quality standards across installations. In Spain, these regulations manifest through a multi-layered system of professional certifications and installation requirements. The certification process for solar panel installers begins with baseline requirements: candidates must be over 18 years old, possess comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge of electrical systems, and pass region-specific examinations administered by each Autonomous Community. This regional approach allows for adaptation to local needs while maintaining national standards of competency.
In response to the rapid growth of solar installations, the Spanish Photovoltaic Union (UNEF) has implemented an additional quality certification system. This process requires installers to submit an application through UNEF’s website, complete a two-and-a-half-hour online training course, and pass a 25-question examination to obtain the ‘trained installer diploma.’ The certification continues with mandatory installation audits conducted by SGS or CERE companies. To maintain this certification, installations under 1 MW must undergo annual reviews, while larger installations requiring bi-annual inspections, ensuring ongoing compliance and quality.
The regulatory framework for installations in Spain operates at multiple levels. The national Technical Building Code (Código Técnico de la Edificación) sets foundational requirements, mandating that new construction projects incorporate renewable energy sources. While existing buildings are not required to retrofit, this regulation creates strong incentives for including solar installations in renovation projects. At the municipal level, local authorities may impose additional requirements regarding panel placement, installation size, heritage building restrictions, and special permits.
For residential installations, particularly in multi-unit buildings, the Horizontal Property Law adds another regulatory layer. Solar panel installations are classified as improvement works and require approval from three-fifths of the property owners in a community, acknowledging the collective impact of such installations on shared buildings.
The installation process itself follows a structured sequence of legal requirements. First, installers must obtain a building permit from the local council, supported by a technical project prepared by a qualified professional. This is followed by securing urban compatibility certification and registering the installation with regional authorities. The final step involves notifying the electrical company and establishing a self-consumption contract. Recent updates to Spain’s regulatory framework have made it more favorable to solar adoption, including provisions for feeding excess energy back into the grid, demonstrating the country’s commitment to expanding renewable energy infrastructure while maintaining rigorous safety and quality standards.
Solar PV parks play an important role as utility power generators in the industry. Spain has emerged as one of Europe’s leading solar PV energy producers, with solar accounting for 16% of installed capacity and 8% of power generation by 2021. The country’s rapid growth continued in 2022 with the addition of 6.93 GW of PV capacity, bringing the total installed capacity to over 25 GW, of which 4,281 MW came from large-scale solar PV plants. The Escatrón-Chiprana-Samper Solar Park, spanning 3,173 hectares across three towns in the Aragon region, stands as Spain’s largest PV installation with a capacity of 850 MW across 17 plants. The Núñez de Balboa Photovoltaic Plant in Extremadura demonstrates the socioeconomic impact of these installations, employing 1,200 people and providing power to 250,000 homes while preventing 215,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Similarly, the Mula Photovoltaic Power Plant in Murcia covers 1,000 hectares with a capacity of 493.92 MW, producing enough energy to power 400,000 homes and saving 136,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year.
On the manufacturing side, Spanish companies have adapted to serve both domestic and international markets. Suports, operating for over 17 years, specializes in designing and supplying mounting systems for rooftop photovoltaic projects and solar carports. As part of Gonvarri Industries’ solar division, Solar Steel, the company has expanded its reach through branches in Mexico, Colombia, and Turkey. Their parent company, Gonvarri Industries, demonstrates the sector’s economic significance with more than 6,000 employees across 44 industrial plants in 24 countries, generating revenue exceeding 3,575 million euros in 2018.
Gonvarri Solar Steel, focusing on large-scale ground-mounted photovoltaic projects, has supplied more than 20GW of solar trackers and fixed tilt structures worldwide. The company’s manufacturing activities encompass various products, from basic flat systems for coplanar projects to sophisticated solar carports that combine shade provision with photovoltaic generation. Their systems incorporate aluminum structures, stainless steel hardware, anchors, and sealing gaskets, designed to adapt to different rooftop types, thicknesses, and load requirements worldwide.
These manufacturing capabilities and large-scale installations represent significant employment opportunities across the sector, from engineering and technical design to manufacturing and delivery services.
System integrators serve as intermediaries between manufacturers and end users in the solar PV industry by providing comprehensive energy solutions. Zelestra, previously operating as Solarpack and based in Bilbao, operates as a vertically integrated renewable energy company. The company manages 27 GW of carbon-free projects in 13 countries with 950 professionals globally, covering project development, commercialization, construction, and operations. An example of their current work includes the Belinchón I, II, and III solar PV plants in Castilla-La Mancha, Spain, with a combined capacity of 162 MW that will employ 400 workers during construction.
System integrators often structure their business through long-term power purchase agreements. For instance, Zelestra participates in the Energize program, contracting to supply 305 GWh of renewable energy annually to pharmaceutical companies through a 10-year agreement. The Belinchón facilities are projected to reduce CO2 emissions by 71,000 tons annually. The company receives financial backing from EQT, an investment fund managing 242 billion euros in assets, illustrating the capital requirements for renewable energy development at scale.
Utility companies play a pivotal role in the solar PV industry’s ecosystem, as demonstrated by Iberdrola’s comprehensive transformation and business model. Traditional utilities have evolved from being solely electricity providers into multifaceted energy companies that integrate solar power at various scales. Looking at Iberdrola’s operations, we can see how utilities serve as key enablers of solar adoption through multiple channels: they develop and operate large-scale solar installations, with Iberdrola managing numerous photovoltaic plants across different markets including 42 plants (3,951 MW) in Spain and significant capacities in other regions; they maintain and modernize the grid infrastructure necessary for solar integration, evidenced by Iberdrola’s management of 1.3 million kilometers of transmission and distribution lines that enable both centralized and distributed solar generation; they facilitate consumer solar adoption by connecting and managing distributed generation, demonstrated by i-DE’s achievement of connecting over 130,000 self-consumption installations representing more than 1,500 MW; and they provide comprehensive energy solutions that combine solar with other technologies like storage and smart grid solutions. The utility’s role extends beyond just generation and distribution – they act as system integrators, balancing various power sources and ensuring grid stability while transitioning to renewable energy. This is reflected in Iberdrola’s statistics showing that 81% of their installed capacity is emission-free, with significant solar components. Their investments in grid modernization and digital infrastructure (€11,382 million in gross investments in 2023) also highlight how utilities provide the backbone that enables broader solar PV adoption, from utility-scale projects to residential installations.
Solar PV industry is also source of employment across different stages of its value-chain. By the end of 2023, the EU solar sector employed 826,000 workers, representing a 27% increase from 2022, which corresponded with a 50% growth in annual EU solar installations reaching over 60 GW. However, projections for 2024 indicated a marked slowdown, with workforce growth expected at just 0.4%, increasing from 826,000 to 830,000 jobs.
The employment distribution across EU countries reflects market maturity and installation patterns. Germany leads with 154,000 solar workers, having experienced substantial growth due to a 104% market expansion from 2022 to 2023. Poland follows with 113,000 workers, though its residential market has slowed.
Spain ranks third, with its workforce primarily focused on utility-scale projects that require fewer workers per installed capacity compared to residential installations.
Looking forward, the sector aims to reach 1 million jobs by 2027, aligned with the projected need for 88.5 GW of annual solar installations to meet Europe’s competitiveness, climate, and energy security goals. This target has been revised from earlier projections that anticipated reaching 1 million jobs by 2025.
The current slowdown stems from multiple factors. The residential rooftop market has experienced decreased growth as energy crisis impacts diminish. Additionally, European solar manufacturing faces challenges, leading to production pauses and workforce reductions. System flexibility limitations also affect solar deployment rates, with the EU Joint Research Centre indicating that Europe needs to double its energy system flexibility by 2030.
To address these challenges and support workforce development, industry stakeholders recommend several measures: conducting national-level assessments of worker and skillset requirements, establishing renewable energy career paths, developing electrification skills strategies, promoting STEM education, facilitating the transition of workers from fossil fuel industries, supporting skills circulation across Europe, and integrating solar-specific training within electrical professional education.
Solar PV industry has also created a large range of certification and licensing requirements which provides assurance to customers (whether industrial, residential or other type) of the quality work being performed. Every country and region has its own certification and licensing bodies. I will be providing examples from the U.S. as these are the ones known to me.
If you are a starter in solar PV, there are courses held by community colleges, technical schools (formación profesional in Spain) which teach you installation principles and basic safety rules. There are also many online platforms such as Coursera that offer initiation courses on solar PV disciplines. In the U.S., once you have some basic knowledge and you want to further deepen your knowledge you can attend to “Associate Programs” from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). This associate-level certification helps you increase your chances of landing a job while at the same time receiving a diploma showcasing your knowledge and expertise in the topic.
It is recommended that as solar PV installer you gain as much as possible hands-on experience. This can be through apprenticeships at established solar installation companies; assisting licensed electricians who work on solar PV systems or providing technical sales services because this can help you in getting to know all product specifications, client concerns as well as regulations. You can also look for roofing companies that perform solar installation services.
Professional certifications are available through the NABCEP after meeting stricter requirements. This includes performing 58 hours of coursework, getting safety certified (OSHA) and having fieldwork experience on installing several solar systems. If you are a licensed electrician, you can pursue the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) program to safety install solar systems according to electrical codes. Another option again is to get certified as solar roofing professional which involves integrating photovoltaics in roofs.
As professions evolve, certifications adapt just as quickly. Earning certifications can help professionals boost their careers by building trust, credibility, and professionalism with customers, ultimately allowing them to charge higher rates.