Why we need women in solar

Given climate change and the rapid growth of solar due to its increasing affordability, there is a great need to train more skilled workers who can work in solar in the coming years. This effort will include a focus on women, who currently make up only a small percentage of the existing workforce in solar. Solar jobs are often high paying jobs that create a pathway to other career opportunities in solar, as well as the entire clean energy industry. 

Currently, women who attend trainings or schooling related to solar are almost never trained by other women, and if they are learning on the job, they are often exposed to a disempowering workplace culture. Girls are rarely exposed to women who work in the trades as a part of their education. There are very few female-owned solar companies. Women need a different type of training and learning experience in many cases, and they need mentorship from and networking with other women as a part of their pathway to success. 

Women in Solar’s Vision

Women offer trainings and workshops to women, with a focus on everything from the basics of using tools up to more advanced solar design and installation practices. These workshops will be open and welcoming to gender non-conforming, queer, and trans participants as well. These workshops will be offered by Solar for Women directly, but also in partnership with trade unions, solar businesses, nonprofits, community colleges, and as a part of conferences. They will target women who are interested in a DIY, small-scale solar approach, as well as those who want to pursue a more career-oriented track. As a part of this effort, we will identify collaborations to build curriculum that is innovative and timely, such as cybersecurity for solar. 

There will be a network of female installers, designers, and engineers; as well as mentorship opportunities for those who are interested. In the long term, training and outreach to girls in middle school and high school will be developed as well, to promote solar as a career option for women. 

Impact of women in solar

Solar for Women will create safe learning and working environments for women to help them build their skills and confidence, and ultimately enter the solar workforce. This will help bring more gender diversity to the solar sector. Some will go on to form their own businesses, and ultimately hire and train more women. We will reach girls in middle school and high school to encourage them to consider solar as a future career, further building the pipeline of women entering the solar sector. We will create more space in the trades for equitable and respectful learning and communication, and women will feel more connected and supported while learning, and as professionals in the field.