According to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), despite the delays and supply chain disruptions caused by COVID-19, the number of jobs in the global solar photovoltaic industry increased by 6% last year to nearly 4 million people.

In 2019, this industry provided 3.75 million jobs, and this number continues to rise. Last year, the solar energy industry accounted for the highest proportion of all technological types of renewable energy jobs.

According to a report released in cooperation with the International Labor Organization, as a head photovoltaic equipment manufacturer and the largest solar installed capacity market, China accounts for about 58% of global photovoltaic employment, or about 2.3 million jobs.

Although the total global solar employment has increased, the second and third markets of the International Renewable Energy Agency-the United States and Japan-have seen a decline in photovoltaic jobs last year, to 231,000 and 220,000 respectively. However, the US Department of Energy said in July that the country’s solar employment is expected to rebound this year.

According to data from the International Renewable Energy Agency, last year, the top ten countries for solar employment were India, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Brazil, Malaysia, Germany and Australia, which together accounted for 85% of the global total.

In 2020, Asia accounted for 79% of global photovoltaic employment, reflecting the region's dominant position in the field of solar manufacturing and strong development. This is by the Americas (9%), Europe (6%) and the rest of the world (6%).

Francesco la Camera, director-general of the International Renewable Energy Agency, said, "There is no doubt about the ability of renewable energy to create jobs and achieve climate goals. With the COP26 conference, governments must raise the ambitious goal of net zero emissions."

A study published earlier this year showed that in 2050, the global shift to 100% renewable energy may increase the number of jobs in the solar photovoltaic industry by nearly 10 times.
Source: PV-TECH