A Landmark Partnership in Gujarat
A significant new initiative has taken shape in Gandhinagar with the launch of the India-Australia Rooftop Solar Training Academy. Located at Pandit Deendayal Energy University (PDEU), the academy is the result of a bilateral agreement made between the Prime
Ministers of India and Australia in 2024 to bolster clean energy cooperation. It represents a collaborative effort between PDEU, leading renewable energy company ReNew, the Skill Council for Green Jobs, and the Australian government. The launch marks a concrete step in turning diplomatic agreements into practical programmes designed to build a skilled workforce for India’s rapidly expanding solar sector. This partnership leverages Australian expertise in vocational training and India's industrial and academic strength to create a robust training ecosystem.
Training the Next Wave of Solar Experts
The academy's core mission is to bridge the critical skill gap in the renewable energy market. Operating on a hub-and-spoke model, it aims to train 2,000 rooftop solar technicians and support staff within its first two years of operation. The curriculum is intensely practical, focusing on the hands-on skills essential for the job: solar panel installation, system operations, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and workplace safety. This initiative is directly aligned with supporting India’s ambitious PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, a flagship scheme aimed at promoting rooftop solar adoption nationwide. By creating a pipeline of certified professionals, the academy ensures that the national push for solar energy is supported by a capable and ready workforce.
A Special Focus on Empowering Women
What makes this initiative particularly noteworthy is its strong emphasis on inclusion. The academy aims to increase the participation of women in the clean-energy workforce, a sector where they have been historically underrepresented. This commitment was clear from day one, with the inaugural training batch comprising 33 women from Gujarat. By providing a supportive environment for women to gain technical competence and industry-recognized certification, the programme is actively working to reduce barriers to entry. This focus is not just about equity; it's about unlocking the full potential of India's workforce to meet its ambitious climate and energy goals.
Powering a Nationwide Jobs Revolution
This academy is a microcosm of a much larger trend. According to a recent study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), India's clean energy targets could create over 4.4 million (44 lakh) jobs by 2030. Crucially, rooftop solar is projected to be the single biggest employment engine, accounting for approximately 43% of these positions. This is because decentralized rooftop projects are far more labour-intensive than large-scale, ground-mounted solar farms. One megawatt of rooftop solar, for instance, creates nearly 45 times more job-years than its utility-scale counterpart, driving demand for local installers, maintenance technicians, and supervisors across the country.
Building on a National Foundation
The India-Australia academy joins a growing ecosystem of skill development initiatives in India's green sector. It builds upon the foundation laid by national programmes like the Suryamitra Skill Development Programme, which the government launched in 2015. Run by the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE), the Suryamitra program has already trained over 51,000 'Suryamitras' (solar technicians) across the country, focusing on installation, operation, and maintenance skills. These programmes, certified under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, are crucial for standardizing qualifications and ensuring that the workforce meets industry demands for quality and safety. The new academy in Gujarat is the next evolution, enhancing these efforts with international collaboration and a dedicated focus on inclusion.
