GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Solar Industry Statistics

Diversity increases industry growth, profits, and innovation in solar energy sector.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

70% of renewable energy companies report assigning a dedicated D&I officer or team

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Companies with diverse boards are 50% more likely to outperform less diverse competitors in the renewable sector

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The median salary for women in the solar industry is 12% lower than their male counterparts

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The number of minority-led solar startups increased by 22% between 2021 and 2023, indicating growing entrepreneurial diversity

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Women represent approximately 30% of the solar industry workforce as of 2023

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Only 22% of STEM workers in the renewable energy sector are women

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Minority representation in the solar industry workforce is around 18%

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The percentage of Black professionals in the solar sector is approximately 7%

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Hispanic/Latino workers account for roughly 14% of the solar industry workforce

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Minority-owned businesses in the solar sector account for approximately 10% of the total industry contracts

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Only 8% of executive leadership positions in solar companies are held by women

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20% of solar company boards have at least one woman member

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Less than 5% of solar industry investment funding is allocated to minority-led startups

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45% of entry-level solar industry jobs are held by individuals from underrepresented groups

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The average age of professionals in the solar sector is 42 years old, indicating a need for greater diversity among younger demographics

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Schools with higher socioeconomic statuses are more likely to offer solar energy programs, limiting access for low-income students

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Only 12% of solar installation contractors are minority-owned businesses

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75% of solar jobs are in the installation and maintenance sectors, which have lower diversity levels

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Only 2% of solar industry workforce programs focus specifically on training women and minorities

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Asian Americans constitute about 10% of the solar workforce, with some companies reporting higher percentages

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33% of solar industry internships are filled by students from minority backgrounds

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The representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the solar industry is estimated at 5%, with most companies lacking specific inclusion policies

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Only 15% of solar industry mentorship programs are targeted toward underrepresented groups

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Women hold approximately 25% of managerial positions in the global solar industry, up from 15% in 2015

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Only 3% of solar industry patents are held by women or minorities, indicating underrepresentation in innovation pursuits

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Solar energy access disparities are most pronounced in rural low-income communities, where only 10% have affordable access

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The number of multiracial professionals in the solar sector increased by 28% between 2020 and 2023, indicating growing racial diversity

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Solar industry workforce demographic data shows that 12% of employees identify as disabled, with many companies lacking accommodations

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18% of solar energy training program participants are women, highlighting gender disparities in technical education

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Companies with active diversity and inclusion initiatives are 35% more likely to report higher financial returns

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65% of solar industry companies have implemented D&I training programs

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Women-led companies in solar are 40% less likely to be funded compared to male-led firms

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58% of solar industry professionals believe that increasing diversity is essential for industry growth

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50% of solar companies report difficulty in recruiting diverse talent

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The retention rate of minority employees in solar is 20% lower than that of majority employees, indicating need for better inclusion practices

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80% of women in solar report experiencing gender bias or discrimination at least once

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60% of survey respondents believe that DEI initiatives have positively impacted team collaboration in solar companies

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40% of women in the solar industry are considering leaving their roles due to workplace culture issues

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Generation Z individuals are 30% more likely to pursue careers in renewable energy if workplaces demonstrate strong DEI commitments

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The percentage of companies implementing DEI-specific hiring goals increased from 32% in 2020 to 68% in 2023

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25% of solar industry employees believe that lack of diversity and inclusion hinders innovation

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There is a 15% higher retention rate for organizations with active DEI policies, demonstrating the importance of inclusive workplace culture

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80% of solar industry events now include sessions or panels focused on diversity and inclusion, up from 45% in 2019

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52% of solar industry executives agree that diversity initiatives are essential for long-term industry sustainability

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Inclusive hiring practices increased minority hiring by 20% over two years in certain solar firms

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The average time to fill a diversity-focused role in solar is 35 days longer than other technical positions, reflecting challenges in sourcing diverse talent

Statistic 47

41% of solar workers have taken part in DEI training sessions, with positive correlations to job satisfaction

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Key Highlights

Women represent approximately 30% of the solar industry workforce as of 2023
Only 22% of STEM workers in the renewable energy sector are women
Minority representation in the solar industry workforce is around 18%
The percentage of Black professionals in the solar sector is approximately 7%
Hispanic/Latino workers account for roughly 14% of the solar industry workforce
The median salary for women in the solar industry is 12% lower than their male counterparts
Companies with active diversity and inclusion initiatives are 35% more likely to report higher financial returns
65% of solar industry companies have implemented D&I training programs
Minority-owned businesses in the solar sector account for approximately 10% of the total industry contracts
Only 8% of executive leadership positions in solar companies are held by women
20% of solar company boards have at least one woman member
Less than 5% of solar industry investment funding is allocated to minority-led startups
45% of entry-level solar industry jobs are held by individuals from underrepresented groups

Despite only 30% of the solar industry workforce being women and minorities comprising just 18%, the sector’s growing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is proving essential for innovation, industry sustainability, and better financial performance.

Corporate Practices and Leadership

70% of renewable energy companies report assigning a dedicated D&I officer or team
Companies with diverse boards are 50% more likely to outperform less diverse competitors in the renewable sector

Corporate Practices and Leadership Interpretation

The solar industry's shining example: dedicating D&I efforts not only broadens its moral horizon but also significantly boosts its competitive brightness.

Economic and Salary Data

The median salary for women in the solar industry is 12% lower than their male counterparts

Economic and Salary Data Interpretation

Despite solar industry growth, the stark 12% pay gap for women underscores that even in renewable energy, diversity and equity remain sources of untapped potential rather than realized progress.

Industry Participation and Growth

The number of minority-led solar startups increased by 22% between 2021 and 2023, indicating growing entrepreneurial diversity

Industry Participation and Growth Interpretation

The 22% surge in minority-led solar startups from 2021 to 2023 underscores a promising shift toward a more inclusive energy landscape, where diverse entrepreneurs are shining brighter than ever.

Representation and Demographics

Women represent approximately 30% of the solar industry workforce as of 2023
Only 22% of STEM workers in the renewable energy sector are women
Minority representation in the solar industry workforce is around 18%
The percentage of Black professionals in the solar sector is approximately 7%
Hispanic/Latino workers account for roughly 14% of the solar industry workforce
Minority-owned businesses in the solar sector account for approximately 10% of the total industry contracts
Only 8% of executive leadership positions in solar companies are held by women
20% of solar company boards have at least one woman member
Less than 5% of solar industry investment funding is allocated to minority-led startups
45% of entry-level solar industry jobs are held by individuals from underrepresented groups
The average age of professionals in the solar sector is 42 years old, indicating a need for greater diversity among younger demographics
Schools with higher socioeconomic statuses are more likely to offer solar energy programs, limiting access for low-income students
Only 12% of solar installation contractors are minority-owned businesses
75% of solar jobs are in the installation and maintenance sectors, which have lower diversity levels
Only 2% of solar industry workforce programs focus specifically on training women and minorities
Asian Americans constitute about 10% of the solar workforce, with some companies reporting higher percentages
33% of solar industry internships are filled by students from minority backgrounds
The representation of LGBTQ+ individuals in the solar industry is estimated at 5%, with most companies lacking specific inclusion policies
Only 15% of solar industry mentorship programs are targeted toward underrepresented groups
Women hold approximately 25% of managerial positions in the global solar industry, up from 15% in 2015
Only 3% of solar industry patents are held by women or minorities, indicating underrepresentation in innovation pursuits
Solar energy access disparities are most pronounced in rural low-income communities, where only 10% have affordable access
The number of multiracial professionals in the solar sector increased by 28% between 2020 and 2023, indicating growing racial diversity
Solar industry workforce demographic data shows that 12% of employees identify as disabled, with many companies lacking accommodations
18% of solar energy training program participants are women, highlighting gender disparities in technical education

Representation and Demographics Interpretation

While women now comprise roughly a quarter of managerial roles and multiracial professionals are steadily increasing, the solar industry's persistent gaps in minority representation, leadership equality, and inclusive innovation reveal that the path to truly diverse and equitable solar energy remains largely in the shade.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Metrics

Companies with active diversity and inclusion initiatives are 35% more likely to report higher financial returns
65% of solar industry companies have implemented D&I training programs
Women-led companies in solar are 40% less likely to be funded compared to male-led firms
58% of solar industry professionals believe that increasing diversity is essential for industry growth
50% of solar companies report difficulty in recruiting diverse talent
The retention rate of minority employees in solar is 20% lower than that of majority employees, indicating need for better inclusion practices
80% of women in solar report experiencing gender bias or discrimination at least once
60% of survey respondents believe that DEI initiatives have positively impacted team collaboration in solar companies
40% of women in the solar industry are considering leaving their roles due to workplace culture issues
Generation Z individuals are 30% more likely to pursue careers in renewable energy if workplaces demonstrate strong DEI commitments
The percentage of companies implementing DEI-specific hiring goals increased from 32% in 2020 to 68% in 2023
25% of solar industry employees believe that lack of diversity and inclusion hinders innovation
There is a 15% higher retention rate for organizations with active DEI policies, demonstrating the importance of inclusive workplace culture
80% of solar industry events now include sessions or panels focused on diversity and inclusion, up from 45% in 2019
52% of solar industry executives agree that diversity initiatives are essential for long-term industry sustainability
Inclusive hiring practices increased minority hiring by 20% over two years in certain solar firms
The average time to fill a diversity-focused role in solar is 35 days longer than other technical positions, reflecting challenges in sourcing diverse talent
41% of solar workers have taken part in DEI training sessions, with positive correlations to job satisfaction

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Metrics Interpretation

While solar companies embracing diversity and inclusion are basking in higher financial returns and collaborative growth, the industry still faces persistent challenges—particularly in funding women-led firms, retaining minority employees, and recruiting diverse talent—highlighting that a sustainable future in solar depends as much on embracing people as it does on harnessing the sun.