For those eyeing the energy sector for jobs, solar energy companies could just be their next big destination. To fulfil targets of 20,000 MW of installed capacity under the National Solar Mission, the Indian solar energy industry will need an estimated 1 lakh people by 2022 across domains, profiles and levels. That as the sector invests nearly Rs 43.37 billion by the end of the mission period.
The space has been abuzz with activity with around 40 players such as Enam Securities, Emami Group, IDFC entering in the last one year alone. There has been huge increase in demand for skilled and trained manpower from these players. The profiles range from project head, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) head, project directors, GM operations/project, senior manager projects, manager projects, purchase manager, solar engineer, assistant technical manager, assistant procurement manager to manager purchase, manager operations.
The scarcity of talent is severe as there are few colleges or institutes offering courses dedicated to solar energy or renewable energy. According to some estimates, there are 25 institutes in India offering courses on energy studies, with renewable energy as one of the subjects. These include the IITs, TERI University in Delhi, Indraprastha University in Delhi, Anna University in Tamil Nadu, and Amity University in UP.
