This week, women in Solar+ Europe give a voice to Maria Gil, Business Development EU in the Solargrade of Spain. She says that real change in the energy industry only comes when companies and institutions go beyond statements and convert the policy consistently into sustainable action. “As the sector grows and requires more employees, the talent with fairness must yield in the core, which means that the inclusion of policy documents goes to daily practice,” she says.
The industry of renewable energy is still young, and that is precisely the reason why diversity matters. We are not obliged to inherit outdated ways of working; We have the opportunity to set new standards from the start. Building resilient infrastructure costs creativity, adaptability and cooperation, and those qualities come to the table by having different voices. If we only bring the same perspectives, we run the risk of replicating the same problems. As an industry that forms the future, we must reflect the future in which we actually want to live.
Diversity, fairness and inclusion strengthen the renewable energy sector by unlocking more than fairness; They feed innovation, adaptability and trust. When teams bring together a wide range of views and life experiences, they can solve problems in new ways, more effectively anticipate challenges and design solutions that work for more people. Gender diversity and inclusion are not “beautiful add-ons”; They are essential for making better decisions, building stronger teams and achieving more sustainable growth. In an industry that moves as fast as ours, this makes the difference.
Looking back on my own career, I consider myself happy. I worked with managers and colleagues who appreciated inclusion and gave me the space to grow, even in organizations that were not always as advanced as they could have been. Those experiences showed me the power of inclusive leadership at an individual level, which shows how a single leader can set the tone for an entire team.
But I also had moments when I had to prove myself more than others, both within organizations and in interactions with customers or suppliers. These situations made me more aware of the barriers that still persist. They also reinforced the importance of continuing to act, because every step forward, no matter how small, contributes to broader change.
In the course of time I have observed shifts in the renewable sector with regard to gender recording at leadership. Progress is happening, but it remains slow. Real change only comes when companies and institutions go beyond statements and consistently convert the policy into sustainable action. As the sector grows and requires more employees, the talent must bring in with fairness in the core, which means that inclusion of policy documents goes to daily practice.
For organizations that really want to retain and develop diverse talent, fairness must be real in all dimensions: gender, race, background, age and more. Recruitment alone is not enough. We need transparent growth paths, mentor options, pay shares and workplaces where different voices are respected and appreciated. Safe, inclusive environments ensure that people can concentrate on doing their best work instead of overcoming unnecessary barriers.
Retention is also important for the next generation. Younger professionals expect equality, flexibility and clear growth opportunities. If we want them to commit their talent to our mission to declare the world, we must offer the working conditions that meet their values.
For young women who nowadays enter the solar and renewable energy industry, my advice is simple: come in with confidence. Your perspective is valuable and this industry needs this. Build your network, find mentors and surround yourself with people who lift each other. Trust your skills even when situations become challenging. At the end of the day you will not only become a member of an industry; You help to shape a cleaner and smarter future. This sector is full of challenges, but also full of opportunities to grow together, learn and to have a meaningful impact.
María Gil García is an industrial engineer who specializes in energy, with a strong background in innovation, customer support and sales. Maria uses more than ten years of experience in solar and industrial technological sectors and helps assets, EPCs and R&M providers field activities, portfolio management and risk limit for PV plants. María passionate about safety and reliability helps teams to identify and prevent safety risks before they escalate.
Interested in becoming a member Maria Gil And other leaders and experts in industry at women in Solar+ Europe? More information: www.wiseu.network
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