This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives voice to Carol Murphy, Head of Independent Engineering for Onshore Renewables at the UK’s OWC. She says that with more women joining the solar industry, it is easier than ever to connect with colleagues across roles and organizations. “To any woman looking to enter this field, my advice would be to persevere. No matter what obstacles you face, if you are passionate about a career in solar energy, there is a place for you,” she says.
Throughout my career, I have witnessed an encouraging increase in the proportion of women in technical roles. However, I have also encountered challenges in establishing myself at a higher level than male colleagues. Earlier in my career, there were also fewer women in leadership positions, which made it harder to envision my own path to advancement.
I have focused on building strong relationships, consistently delivering high-quality work, and advocating for myself and other women in the field. I have also been fortunate to work with supportive colleagues and managers who recognized my potential and encouraged me to push myself to achieve more.
I started my career in the solar energy sector at a small consultancy firm, where I was the first female technical consultant. It was an exciting time for the UK solar sector, as the feed-in tariff was still in place, and the business was growing rapidly. Despite being part of a male-dominated environment, I was given the space and opportunities to develop quickly and grow with the team.
Starting in a small business proved invaluable. I have worked on a wide range of projects covering multiple areas, which has allowed me to quickly broaden my skillset. I also benefited from direct access to senior leaders who shared their knowledge and insights. Their guidance not only helped me deal with challenges but also enabled me to seize growth opportunities.
This environment allowed me to take on leadership roles, manage projects and mentor newer team members sooner than I expected. It was a great place to start and it taught me that with the right mindset and supportive colleagues, significant professional growth is achievable, regardless of the size of the organization.
When I first started in the solar industry, there were far fewer women, especially in senior positions. It has been fantastic to witness the progress we have made, with more women taking on leadership roles. To any woman looking to enter this field, my advice would be to persevere. No matter the obstacles you face, if you are passionate about a career in solar energy, there is a place for you.
That said, as a traditionally male-dominated industry, it’s important to be willing to stand up for yourself and others. Women bring unique and valuable perspectives, but it can still be challenging to consistently make our voices and ideas heard. Be curious, invest in both technical and soft skills and never underestimate the power of a strong network. With more and more women joining the solar industry, it’s easier than ever to connect with colleagues from different roles and organizations. Networking groups like WISEU can be a great place to meet other women in solar and these relationships will serve you well throughout your career. At OWC we have an internal Women in Renewables group, which provides a valuable platform to connect with female colleagues across the organization while providing support and guidance from senior colleagues, empowering women at all levels.
Do seek mentorship from experienced colleagues; many women would love to support you, just as I have been supported throughout my journey. Finally, don’t shy away from celebrating your achievements. Every success you achieve not only marks your own progress, but also helps pave the way for others to follow.
Carol Murphy has more than 13 years of experience in the renewable energy sector. With a BEng in Energy Engineering, she has been working as a technical consultant since 2011 with a focus on Technical Due Diligence and Lenders Technical Advisory. She is now Head of Independent Engineering (Onshore) for OWC, where she uses her diverse experience to provide expert guidance on sustainable energy projects. Her expertise spans the UK, European and global markets, with a particular focus on large-scale ground-mounted solar and more recently supporting the onshore wind and energy storage teams at OWC. She has conducted extensive due diligence on multi-MW portfolios at various stages of development, from early feasibility to operational installations, with a focus on providing technical support for robust contractual documents. She has also worked in project delivery for local government, bringing experience from the client perspective to her role at OWC.
Interested in participating Carol Murphy and other female leaders and industry experts at Women in Solar Europe? More information: www.wiseu.network
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