Many obstacles hinder the widespread use of solar energy to meet the needs of rural communities. In much of Africa, the lack of technical capacity among would-be installers and PV system managers is of primary concern.

It’s #GenderDay at #COP26, and to highlight the importance of building gender balance in the solar industry, Remote Energy's co-founder Carol Weis and inaugural RE Global Ambassador Neha Misra discuss the challenges and opportunities of training a diverse and inclusive global PV workforce. The podcast, Business Fights Poverty, forms part of a short series on putting people at the heart of climate action and what Climate Justice can mean for business.

Remote Energy is dedicated to bringing the highest quality PV training opportunities to under-served populations worldwide. Energy poverty is experienced in every country on earth, and for many of us, those in need are very close to home. The Energy Information Administration estimates that 14 percent of households on Native American reservations have no access to electricity, 10 times higher than the national average.

As solar energy grows exponentially, millions of jobs are created. In the off-grid solar market alone, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported that by 2030 there will be 4.5 million jobs – these workers will directly serve the rural communities that the utility grid has ignored. The following is a brief summary of what solar jobs there are and what it takes to get these jobs.