Shift in Energy Sector's Employment Trends: Job Market Analysis
In the heart of Europe, the solar industry is facing a tumultuous period. Companies like Meyer Burger, a prominent solar manufacturer, have been hit hard by the economic challenges. Meyer Burger has recently dismissed over 600 employees in Germany and wound down production sites due to insolvency, while an additional 300 jobs have been cut in the United States due to lack of prospects.
The solar industry's struggles can be attributed to several factors. Global competition, particularly from cheap imports from China, continues to put pressure on the sector. This competition is further intensified by interventions in the market by countries like China and the USA, who provide direct subsidies, distorting international competitive conditions.
The German government has also played a role in the industry's woes. Temporary suspensions or reductions in subsidy programs for solar installations have led to lost location advantages. Furthermore, the feed-in tariffs for solar installations were decreased in 2025, with rates dropping from 8.03 cents per kWh in February to 7.86 cents per kWh in August.
Despite these setbacks, the energy transition remains a strong job engine, particularly in engineering, technicians, installers, electricians, energy informatics experts, and various sectors like supplier, logistics, transport, production, service, and maintenance. The Bertelsmann Foundation reports that the number of jobs related to the energy transition has grown from 173,000 (2019) to over 400,000 (2024), with wind energy and the solar industry being the main drivers.
However, companies in the solar industry are complaining about a lack of planning security and insufficient support for domestic production. The German Chamber of Industry and Commerce supports the proposal of Federal Minister of Economics, Katharina Reiche, to rethink the energy transition to make it more flexible, cost-efficient, and international.
The development of the solar industry from 2019 to 2024 shows a clear dynamic, with the number of job offers tripling from 41,500 to 127,000. Yet, 2024 marked a significant change in the photovoltaic industry, with the economic situation deteriorating significantly, leading to insolvencies among both small and large companies. Notable insolvencies include that of the solar glass manufacturer GMB, which cited uncompetitive international energy costs as a main reason.
Frithjof Staiß, CEO of the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research Baden-Württemberg, emphasizes the need for planning security to secure the competitiveness of the German industry. The prospects for skilled workers remain promising in the energy transition, with continuous increasing demand in areas like wind energy, building renovation, new supply technologies, district heating expansion, and targeted expansion of energy networks.
Nina Draese, a freelance journalist who covers topics including automobiles, energy, climate, AI, technology, and the environment, provides insightful reporting on these developments. The solar industry's struggles are raising questions about the energy transition's ability to be a job engine, but the sector continues to offer opportunities for those willing to navigate its challenges.
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