Solar and storage accounted for nearly 1 million EU jobs in 2025
Solar and storage sectors employed nearly 1 million people in the EU in 2025, with Germany, Spain and Italy leading job creation as utility-scale projects gained prominence.
The solar PV and battery storage industries supported 982,000 full-time equivalent jobs in the EU in 2025, according to SolarPower Europe’s EU Solar Jobs Report 2026. Solar accounted for 874,000 jobs, while battery energy storage systems contributed 108,000, marking the first inclusion of BESS in the annual study. Employment growth was driven by record installations, with the EU adding 69 GW of solar capacity and 27 GWh of battery storage in 2025. Direct roles made up 44% of jobs, while 56% were indirect, linked to supply chains and related activities.
Germany led solar employment with approximately 165,000 full-time equivalent jobs, followed by Spain and Italy, which together accounted for nearly half of all EU solar jobs. Installation and deployment dominated, representing 85% of solar employment at 742,000 jobs, while operations and maintenance reached a record 78,000 jobs. Manufacturing employed around 37,000 people, with inverter production comprising 90% of manufacturing roles. The report also noted a shift in market structure, with utility-scale PV slightly surpassing rooftop solar in employment for the first time since 2021.
SolarPower Europe projects EU solar employment to decline to 766,000 full-time equivalent jobs by 2030, despite continued growth in installed capacity from 411 GW in 2025 to 739 GW in 2030. The projected 12% drop in jobs will primarily affect deployment, where employment is expected to fall 22% as annual installations stabilize and productivity rises. However, operations and maintenance jobs are forecast to increase from 78,000 to 109,000, while manufacturing employment could grow to 49,000 if planned industrial projects materialize.
The report highlights priorities for 2026, including maintaining solar skills in industrial and labor policies, improving SME access to training funding, and updating programs to include digital and technical skills. SolarPower Europe also calls for better coordination between European training initiatives and skills development spanning solar, storage, grids, heat pumps and e-mobility. It recommends expanding apprenticeships, career guidance and pathways for workers transitioning into the sector.