This week, Women in Solar Europe (WiSEu) gives the voice of Molly Morgan, Senior Research Analyst at the British CRU. She says mentoring platforms provide aspiring professionals with access to relatable role models, who provide both inspiration and practical guidance to help them overcome their challenges and thrive in their careers. “One way to address the issue of women being the minority share of the PV industry would be to encourage more women to enter the world of renewable energy earlier, while they are still in academia,” she says .
My journey from academia to my current role as a solar industry analyst has not been without challenges. Most of these challenges have arisen from my own inconsistent self-confidence rather than a lack of opportunity. I have recognized that in the past I have sometimes experienced more lack of self-confidence than my male colleagues. Learning to overcome this unnecessary self-doubt has been an essential skill for me, and I have succeeded thanks to the support of my colleagues and managers.
From my experience, data analytics as a whole is a male-dominated segment, which understandably has the potential to create an intimidating work environment, but it also offers a unique opportunity for newcomers to challenge this and take steps towards of a more inclusive future.
Achieving equality and diversity is a journey that requires commitment and effort from everyone in the sector. While we may not see immediate change, fostering an inclusive environment starts with taking conscious steps toward this goal.
When you’re facing career challenges, it’s all too easy to feel isolated. That is why building support networks within the sector is essential. Women in the early stages of their careers can benefit significantly from the insights of those who have successfully overcome similar obstacles. Mentoring platforms are critical in this regard, as they create opportunities for meaningful, advice-driven conversations. Additionally, these platforms provide aspiring professionals with access to relatable role models, providing both inspiration and practical guidance to help them overcome their challenges and thrive in their careers.
The changes and solutions needed within the sector are coming slowly, and a contributing factor is that the gender gap starts much earlier in the education journey, often while students are still in school. This early discrepancy in gender representation has a significant impact on career choices and ambitions. As a result, it becomes critical to address these issues within academic institutions. By creating an inclusive and supportive environment in schools and colleges, we can pave the way for a more diverse workforce in the sector, highlighting the crucial role that education plays in the wider diversity journey.
One way to address the problem of women making up the minority share of the PV industry would be to encourage more women to enter the world of renewable energies earlier, while still in academia. This could be through initiatives such as outreach programs to educate about what roles exist and provide younger women with role models to aspire to. Looking back, I would have felt more confident in my first few years in the industry if I had seen more women in solar analysis roles.
I encourage anyone starting their career to prioritize networking from the start. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with industry professionals in the photovoltaic (PV) sector or other sustainable energy areas such as batteries and wind energy. Remember, we share a common goal, and working together can lead to greater success for everyone.
Molly Morgan is currently a Senior Research Analyst of the solar PV sector at CRU. Her areas of interest include monitoring and predicting the evolution of solar panel efficiency and architecture. She also conducts analyzes of solar energy production capacity, production and financial data which – in addition to final demand through installation forecasts – form the basis of CRU’s coverage of the solar energy market.
Interested in participating Molly Morgan and other female leaders and industry experts at Women in Solar Europe? More information: www.wiseu.network
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