A study by staffing conglomerate TeamLease Services provides key employment trends in the Indian renewable energy sector from a contractual workforce perspective. It highlights a strong 23.7% year-on-year growth in employment in FY24, a significant leap from 8.5% in FY23 and 10.4% in FY22. Although projections indicate a slight moderation to 18.9% in FY25, the sector remains a vital source of job creation, supporting the country’s clean energy ambitions.
The study showcases that contractual workforce demographics in the renewable energy industry are largely youth-driven, with 26.9% of employees in the 26-30 age bracket and 27.9% in the 31-35 segment. The sector also maintains a significant presence of experienced professionals, with 16% in the 35-40 years group and 18.2% in the 40+ category. This balance between young talent and seasoned professionals reflects the industry’s dual focus on innovation and expertise.
At the same time, the demand for specialized skills continues to grow, with a strong focus on engineering, project management, data analytics, and sustainable energy solutions. The renewable energy sector is generating opportunities across skilled, semi-skilled, and highly skilled roles.
Furthermore, the study highlights the rising demand for technology-driven roles in solar, wind, and hybrid energy systems as companies increasingly adopt digital innovations to boost efficiency. The need for solar PV technicians, roofers, production operators, storage operators, and waste management specialists is expanding, alongside the growing demand for solar panel installers, energy auditors, and operational support professionals.
The study by TeamLease Services signifies that educational qualifications also play a crucial role in shaping the workforce. In FY24, 44.1% of contractual employees held an ITI/Diploma, followed by 28.9% graduates, 14.6% 12th pass, and 4.1% postgraduates. This trend underscores the industry’s reliance on vocational and skill-based training to meet its growing technical requirements.
As the sector expands, regional growth trends have also emerged. Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu are leading solar energy production in India and house the majority of the country’s solar power plants. These states are set to be at the forefront of employment generation in the sector, attracting talent and investment in renewable energy projects. Moreover, government initiatives such as the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, National Green Hydrogen Mission, PM KUSUM, and the Solar PV Module PLI Scheme have been instrumental in driving the growth of the renewable energy sector. These policies foster investment in clean energy infrastructure and significantly contribute to workforce expansion and skill development.
Meanwhile, a substantial 38.6% of contractual employees have less than one year of experience, with the numbers tapering as work tenure increases. Of the total workforce, 29.6% have 1-2 years of experience, 11.8% have 2-3 years, 8.1% have 3-4 years, and only 11.8% remain beyond four years. Attrition remains a challenge, with rates decreasing from 39.1% in FY22 to 33.5% in FY24, only to be projected to rise again to 39.4% in FY25, emphasizing the need for enhanced employee retention strategies.
Subburathinam P, chief operating officer, TeamLease Services, said: “India’s renewable energy sector is at a crucial inflection point, driven by strong government initiatives and rising corporate investments. The sector is set to boost jobs, with an increasing demand for specialized and technology-driven roles. However, the challenge lies in addressing high attrition and skill gaps through structured workforce planning. By integrating vocational training, digital skill development, and retention strategies, organizations can build a sustainable talent pipeline. Moving forward, businesses that prioritize workforce innovation and adaptability will lead the industry’s next phase of growth, positioning India as a global leader in clean energy employment.”
As the country moves towards a greener future, the demand for skilled professionals in renewable energy will continue to rise. Organizations that invest in upskilling, diversity hiring, and evolved talent acquisition strategies will be best positioned to lead this evolving landscape.
This content is protected by copyright and may not be reused. If you want to cooperate with us and would like to reuse some of our content, please contact: editors@pv-magazine.com.
By submitting this form you agree to pv magazine using your data for the purposes of publishing your comment.
Your personal data will only be disclosed or otherwise transmitted to third parties for the purposes of spam filtering or if this is necessary for technical maintenance of the website. Any other transfer to third parties will not take place unless this is justified on the basis of applicable data protection regulations or if pv magazine is legally obliged to do so.
You may revoke this consent at any time with effect for the future, in which case your personal data will be deleted immediately. Otherwise, your data will be deleted if pv magazine has processed your request or the purpose of data storage is fulfilled.
Further information on data privacy can be found in our Data Protection Policy.