Written by Akshat Jain, CEO of KLK Ventures
India’s clean-energy landscape is shifting faster than ever, and solar power is at the centre of this transformation. As the nation accelerates rooftop adoption, expands utility-scale parks, and pushes solar solutions into agriculture, a wave of new job opportunities is emerging for school-leavers, diploma holders, engineering students, and fresh graduates. For young people entering the workforce in 2026, understanding where these roles are growing and what skills employers truly value, can make all the difference in building a future-ready career.
India’s solar sector is entering its most transformative phase yet. With the country targeting 500 GW of renewable energy by 2030, state governments pushing aggressive rooftop-solar adoption, and agriculture policies encouraging solar pumps and feeder lines, the demand for skilled workers is rising in ways we have not seen before.
Three fronts are driving this hiring wave in 2025–26:
Utility-scale projects continue to expand in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Rooftop solar, strengthened by updated subsidies and DISCOM-led facilitation, is generating thousands of installation, servicing, and sales jobs across tier-II and tier-III cities.
Agricultural solar from PM-KUSUM solar pumps to decentralized feeders, needs trained technicians and electricians comfortable working in rural settings.
As this growth accelerates, industry players report steady demand for well-trained entry-level technicians, engineers, and support staff, mirroring broader national hiring patterns.
The backbone of India’s solar workforce comes from ITI and polytechnic backgrounds. In 2026, the highest hiring volume will continue to be hands-on technical roles.
Key roles for ITI/Diploma holders:
Solar PV Installer / Technician (Electrician, Wireman, Fitter): Mounting structures, wiring, testing, and safety checks.
O&M Technician: Servicing, cleaning, inverter troubleshooting at large solar parks.
Solar Manufacturing Technician: Module assembly, quality checks, and machine operation.
Site Supervisor (Diploma): Managing small teams and ensuring installation quality.
Hiring clusters:
North: Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh
South: Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
Tier-II hubs: Coimbatore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kochi, Surat, Pune
Students who complete courses like Suryamitra gain a clear advantage in both placement rates and career progression.
Engineering graduates from tier-II or lesser-known colleges often worry about competition, but solar companies prioritise practical skills over pedigrees.
Key job families for engineering graduates:
Site Engineers: Contractor coordination, commissioning, quality checks.
Design Engineers: Rooftop system design, SLDs, load estimation, and shadow analysis.
O&M Engineers: Inverter diagnostics, SCADA monitoring, preventive maintenance.
Manufacturing QA/R&D: For those interested in materials and process engineering.
Sales & Pre-Sales Engineers: Client assessment, system sizing, and net-metering documentation.
Software skills, AutoCAD, PVsyst, Helioscope, MS Project, make a measurable difference during hiring.
Opportunities for Graduates from Non-Engineering Fields
Solar is also expanding its non-technical workforce as companies scale.
Open roles for non-engineering graduates:
Project Coordination: Vendor management, documentation, progress tracking.
Sales & Customer Support: Handling leads, site visits, subsidy paperwork.
Supply Chain & Logistics: Movement of panels, inverters, and mounting structures.
ESG & Sustainability Reporting: Supporting compliance and reporting needs.
Recruiters highlight four recurring gaps:
Weak electrical fundamentals
Low familiarity with tools, PPE, and safety procedures
Lack of real-world field exposure
Communication and documentation challenges
How students can bridge these gaps:
● Enrol in short courses on installation, design, and electrical safety.
● Complete at least one hands-on internship, even short stints matter.
● Learn design tools like AutoCAD and PVsyst.
● Practice writing simple reports, checklists, and commissioning documents.
● Build a small sample rooftop-solar design to showcase in interviews.
Government programmes are quietly strengthening grassroots job creation:
● Rooftop-solar subsidies are catalysing installation and service entrepreneurship.
● PM-KUSUM fuels rural demand for pump technicians and feeder maintenance roles.
● Suryamitra training equips ITI and diploma students with practical skills and strong placement outcomes.
These initiatives ensure that solar jobs are not limited to big cities, they spread across rural and semi-urban India as well.
If your long-term goal is a solar career:
● ITI (Electrician/Wireman): Ideal for field roles; pair with a solar certificate.
● Polytechnic Diploma: Smooth route to supervision or junior engineering.
● Engineering Degree: Opens higher-skilled roles in design, O&M, manufacturing, and project execution.
● Short Certificates: Best used as add-ons to improve employability or facilitate role changes.
Align your choice with your comfort level for field jobs, academic strengths, and long-term growth aspirations.
Solar is rewarding, but new entrants should be prepared for:
● Physical work and climbing structures
● Frequent site travel
● Heat and harsh outdoor conditions
● Strict safety norms
● Heavy documentation and regulatory steps
Understanding these realities early helps students avoid mismatched expectations and build more resilient careers.
India’s solar wave is not a short-term trend, it represents a decade of steady growth. For school-leavers, diploma holders, and fresh graduates, 2026 is an ideal time to build a future-proof career in clean energy. With realistic expectations, targeted upskilling, and a willingness to learn on the field, young professionals can shape both their own futures and India’s transition to a sustainable energy economy.
