PDEU Launches Rooftop Solar Academy for Women gcdmagazine
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Green Updates 23 Jul 2026

PDEU Launches Indo-Australia Rooftop Solar Training Academy to Empower Women

PDEU Launches Rooftop Solar Training Academy to Empower Women in Clean Energy

Pandit Deendayal Energy University has launched the Indo-Australia Rooftop Solar Training Academy to strengthen India’s green workforce and create more employment opportunities for women in the clean-energy sector.

The initiative will provide women with practical skills in rooftop solar installation, operations and maintenance, helping them prepare for technical roles within India’s rapidly expanding renewable-energy industry.

The academy began its training programme with an inaugural batch of 33 women from Gujarat. It is envisioned as a flagship skills-development initiative under the growing renewable-energy partnership between India and Australia.

Building a Skilled Female Solar Workforce

The Rooftop Solar Training Academy seeks to increase women’s participation in technical and operational roles across the solar-energy sector.

Participants will receive training in key areas associated with rooftop solar projects, including:

  • Rooftop solar installation
  • Solar system operations
  • Preventive maintenance
  • Basic troubleshooting
  • Workplace safety
  • Equipment handling
  • System-performance monitoring
  • Clean-energy industry practices

The programme is designed to provide participants with practical knowledge that can improve their employability across solar installation companies, renewable-energy developers, maintenance service providers and related technical organisations.

By focusing specifically on women, the initiative also aims to support greater gender diversity within India’s renewable-energy workforce.

First Batch Includes 33 Women from Gujarat

The academy has commenced operations with a first batch comprising 33 women from Gujarat.

Participants will undergo structured training intended to develop the technical and workplace capabilities required for rooftop solar projects.

The programme combines skills development with industry-relevant certification, giving learners an opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities to potential employers.

The first batch represents the beginning of a broader effort to create a pipeline of women professionals capable of contributing to the installation, operation and maintenance of rooftop solar systems.

Supported by the Australian Government

According to S. Sundar Manoharan, Director General of Pandit Deendayal Energy University, the academy is supported by the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.

The Indo-Australia collaboration reflects the two countries’ shared focus on renewable energy, clean technologies and workforce development.

The programme aims to combine academic knowledge, industry participation and international cooperation to create employment-focused training opportunities.

It also strengthens the role of education and technical training in supporting the transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems.

Collaboration with ReNew and Skill Council for Green Jobs

The Rooftop Solar Training Academy has been developed in collaboration with ReNew and the Skill Council for Green Jobs.

The Skill Council for Green Jobs operates under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and focuses on building workforce capabilities for emerging green industries.

The collaboration brings together:

  • Pandit Deendayal Energy University’s academic expertise
  • ReNew’s renewable-energy industry experience
  • Skill Council for Green Jobs’ training framework
  • Australian Government support
  • Employment-oriented technical certification

This collaborative structure is intended to ensure that the training remains aligned with practical industry requirements.

Government-Recognised Certification

Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive certification associated with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

The certification is expected to strengthen participants’ professional profiles and improve their employability within the clean-energy sector.

Certified participants may explore opportunities across areas such as:

  • Rooftop solar installation
  • Solar operations and maintenance
  • Renewable-energy service companies
  • Solar project support
  • Technical field services
  • Energy-system monitoring
  • Solar equipment companies
  • Clean-energy entrepreneurship

Industry-aligned certification can help employers assess whether candidates have received structured training in relevant technical skills and safety practices.

Expanding Training to ITI Students

The next batch of the academy will include students from Industrial Training Institutes.

The inclusion of ITI students is expected to expand the programme’s reach and provide vocational learners with specialised skills relevant to rooftop solar systems.

ITI students already receive training across several technical and engineering trades. The rooftop solar programme can complement this foundation by preparing them for opportunities in the renewable-energy industry.

Expanding the initiative to ITIs could also help create a larger pool of trained technicians as India continues to increase its renewable-energy capacity.

Supporting India’s Renewable-Energy Transition

India’s clean-energy transition requires not only investments in solar infrastructure but also a skilled workforce capable of installing, operating and maintaining renewable-energy systems.

Rooftop solar projects require trained professionals to ensure that systems are installed safely, operate efficiently and continue delivering reliable performance.

The PDEU academy addresses this workforce requirement through focused technical training.

The programme is expected to contribute to the development of professionals who can support:

  • Residential rooftop solar projects
  • Commercial solar installations
  • Institutional buildings
  • Industrial facilities
  • Public-sector solar programmes
  • Solar maintenance services
  • Distributed renewable-energy systems

By developing practical capabilities among women and vocational students, the academy seeks to support both clean-energy growth and employment generation.

Encouraging Women’s Participation in Technical Careers

Women remain underrepresented in several technical and field-based energy roles.

Training initiatives focused on women can help reduce barriers to entry by providing access to practical education, certification, professional exposure and potential employment pathways.

The Rooftop Solar Training Academy aims to create an environment where women can develop confidence and technical competence in a growing industry.

The initiative may also encourage more women to explore careers in areas such as renewable energy, electrical systems, technical maintenance, sustainability and green infrastructure.

Developing Employment and Entrepreneurship Opportunities

In addition to supporting conventional employment, rooftop solar training may provide opportunities for participants to explore entrepreneurship and independent technical services.

Trained professionals could potentially contribute to:

  • Solar installation teams
  • Local maintenance services
  • System inspections
  • Performance monitoring
  • Customer-support services
  • Small renewable-energy businesses
  • Community solar initiatives

These capabilities can be particularly valuable as rooftop solar adoption expands across homes, businesses, institutions and industrial facilities.

Strengthening India-Australia Clean-Energy Cooperation

The academy represents a practical example of cooperation between India and Australia in renewable energy and skills development.

The initiative connects international support with local academic and industry expertise to address workforce requirements within the solar sector.

It demonstrates how international partnerships can contribute to technical education, gender inclusion, employment generation and clean-energy development.

The academy is expected to serve as a platform for creating a more inclusive and professionally trained renewable-energy workforce.

About Pandit Deendayal Energy University

Pandit Deendayal Energy University is an educational institution focused on energy, engineering, technology, management and related disciplines.

The university supports education, research, innovation and skills development across conventional and emerging energy sectors.

Through initiatives such as the Indo-Australia Rooftop Solar Training Academy, PDEU aims to connect technical education with industry requirements while contributing to India’s clean-energy and workforce-development goals.

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