Solar energy
The expansion of solar energy This is creating new professional opportunities in different regions of Brazil and the world. At the same time that the energy transition accelerates, an important social movement is beginning to gain strength within the sector: increasingly… women They are occupying technical and operational roles in projects of solar power plants, areas historically marked by male dominance.
According to an article published by the website Um Só Planeta on March 8thAlthough this progress is still gradual, it already reveals important changes in the energy labor market. Companies and international organizations point out that increasing female participation is essential to guarantee a qualified workforce in a rapidly growing sector.
A recent example comes from the Jequitinhonha Valley in northern Minas Gerais. In rural communities in the region, women they started working on the construction of a power plant solar energy, assuming technical roles on the construction site. The initiative marks a symbolic transformation in a sector that for decades maintained a strong presence of professionals. male dominance.
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The project shows how the expansion of solar power plants It can generate job opportunities, social inclusion, and regional development, as well as open new professional paths for… women who have historically been excluded from these activities.
The growth of renewable energy sources is changing the global energy landscape. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the number of global jobs in the sector has already surpassed [amount missing]. 16 million workers.
A large portion of these job openings is related to the installation and operation of solar power plantsSolar energy is one of the fastest-growing sources of clean energy on the planet. The falling cost of photovoltaic technology and the increase in government climate targets are driving new investments in it. solar energy.
Despite this rapid growth, female participation remains limited. Data from IRENA indicate that women represent approximately 32% of jobs in the renewable energy sector all around the world.
When considering technical functions — such as construction, installation, and operation of solar power plants — female participation is even lower. In these positions, women occupy approximately 22% of vacancies.
In leadership positions, female representation is also low, at around… 19% of positions held by womenThese numbers show that the male dominance It is still a strong characteristic within the global energy sector.
Experts warn that maintaining this inequality could become a problem for growth itself. solar energysince the energy transition requires an ever-increasing workforce.
In northern Minas Gerais, a project of solar energy This demonstrates how inclusion policies can change this reality. Residents of the Vereda Grande and Bonito communities participated in the construction of the Rio Urucuia hydroelectric plant, a project valued at approximately… R $ million 439.
In all, 85 women They were trained to work on the assembly of photovoltaic modules for the project. During the peak of construction, approximately 66 women were working simultaneously on the construction site of solar power plants.
The participation of women surprised even the project organizers. The presence of female workers helped to break a historical paradigm marked by… male dominance in engineering and construction activities.
When it becomes operational, scheduled for the first half of 2026, the plant will have an installed capacity of 142 megawattsThis production will be sufficient to supply a city of approximately 120 thousand inhabitants.
In addition to generating clean electricity, the project of solar energy It also contributes to local economic development by creating jobs and expanding professional opportunities for… women Of region.
One of the main factors that enabled the inclusion of women in the project was the investment in professional training. The training took place through the program. Minas Gerais Force, developed after a process of dialogue with residents of the communities near the project.
Before creating the course, the project teams conducted house-to-house visits to understand the expectations and needs of the local population. From these conversations arose the proposal to train residents to work on the construction of the power plant. solar energy.
The course offered approximately 180 hours of theoretical and practical classes a 120 residents at the beginning of 2025. More than 70% of the positions were reserved for women., precisely to encourage female participation in a sector still dominated by men. male dominance.
During the training, the participants learned fundamental activities for the construction of solar power plantsincluding the assembly of metal structures, installation of photovoltaic modules, and basic concepts of electrical systems.
The training also involved the direct participation of employees from the company responsible for the project, who contributed to the development of the content and conducted practical classes.
This type of initiative demonstrates that expanding access to technical training is one of the most effective ways to reduce [the risk of unemployment]. male dominance in the solar energy.
In the presence of women On the construction site, adaptations to the project organization were also required. To ensure a safe working environment, internal policies to prevent harassment, both verbal and physical, were reinforced.
Furthermore, the company held meetings with employees and local residents to discuss topics such as gender-based violence and parental responsibility. These initiatives help transform the organizational culture within the company. solar power plants.
Reporting channels were also created for the workers, including a WhatsApp number and message boxes installed at different points on the construction site. The goal was to ensure that women they had a safe professional environment in a sector traditionally marked by male dominance.
These measures show that female inclusion requires not only technical training, but also structural changes within companies operating in the sector. solar energy.
For many participants in the project, the work in building the solar power plants It represented a significant life change.
One of the workers involved was Ednólia Lucílio de Souza, from 41 years, a resident of the Vereda Grande community. Before participating in the work of solar energyTheir income came from informal activities related to extractive industries.
She produced babassu oil and also cracked baru nuts to sell. Her monthly income varied considerably, depending on the quantity sold. In some months, she managed to sell… two liters, in others four literswhich made it difficult to maintain a stable income.
The job on the power plant construction represented his first experience with a formal employment contract. seven monthsEdnólia received a fixed salary for working on the assembly of photovoltaic modules and on tasks related to the electrical part of the project.
With the income earned during that period, she was able to complete the construction of the house where she lives with two of his three childrenThe experience also brought new professional perspectives.
Now, with experience in assembling systems of solar energyEdnólia believes she is better prepared to find new job opportunities elsewhere. solar power plants.
Experts emphasize that expanding the presence of women In the energy sector, it’s not just a matter of social equality. Diversity can also bring direct benefits to team efficiency.
Studies and corporate experiences indicate that more diverse work groups tend to exhibit greater capacity for innovation and problem-solving. In the context of the expansion of solar power plantsThis diversity can contribute to improving installation processes, operation, and relationships with local communities.
Another important point is that women Working in field teams often facilitates dialogue with residents of the regions where projects are located. solar energy They are installed. This can increase the social acceptance of the ventures. In addition, it reduces the history male dominance In this sector, it helps to increase the number of professionals available to work on the energy transition.
The growing presence of women nose solar power plants indicates a significant transformation within the industry of solar energy. Although the male dominance While this is still a reality in many areas of the sector, training and inclusion initiatives demonstrate that this structure can change.
Projects like the one carried out in Minas Gerais show that the expansion of renewable energies can generate benefits that go beyond the production of clean electricity. These include job creation, the strengthening of local communities, and the inclusion of… women Technical activities help build a more diverse and resilient energy sector.
With the accelerated growth of solar energy As projected for the coming years, increasing female participation becomes not only a matter of social justice, but also an essential strategy to guarantee a skilled workforce and sustain the advancement of women. solar power plants in Brazil and in the world.
Hilton Fonseca Liborio is a copywriter with experience in digital content production and SEO skills. He creates optimized texts for different audiences and platforms, striving to combine quality, relevance, and results. He specializes in the automotive industry, technology, careers, renewable energy, mining, and other topics. Contact and pitch ideas: hiltonliborio44@gmail.com
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