The Power of Women in the Solar Industry: Pioneers and Leaders
Throughout history, women have played a vital role in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEAM) fields. One such area where women have made significant contributions is the solar industry. From early pioneers to modern-day innovators, women have been breaking barriers and making their mark in solar technology.
Mária Telkes is one of the most prominent female solar pioneers. A Hungarian-American scientist and inventor. In the 1940s, she worked on developing solar technologies, including the world's first solar-heated house. Telkes also invented a solar-powered desalination system, which provided fresh water to soldiers during World War II. Her work paved the way for the use of solar energy in homes and other applications.
Katharine Burr Blodgett was an American physicist whose work is considered foundational in the renewable industry. She is recognized for her invention in 1935 of the color gauge and non-reflecting/invisible glass. Additionally, she created solar panels with coatings, enhanced their efficiency, made them water repellent, and used LED and OLED lighting to improve electric conductivity on glass and other substrates. These contributions have furthered the advancements and development of the modern solar panel.
Monica Oliphant is a British–Australian research scientist who started her career in the renewable industry in the 1970s. She is best known for her work with solar photovoltaics and advocacy for science and sustainability. Oliphant has influenced the future of energy consumption around the world. Starting as a laser physicist, she is now recognized internationally as a pioneer in solar photovoltaics and renewable energy. To this day, she remains committed to advancing renewable energy by being one of the leaders of the Corena Fund, which supports renewable energy installations in Australia. Additionally, she served as the president of the International Solar Energy Society from 2008-to 2009.
Julia Judd Ham is the President and CEO of the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), a national non-profit committed to helping members make wise decisions with their solar systems. Consider the SEPA your unbiased resource for information about solar technologies, policies, and programs. Julia has been working with SEPA since 1992 when the organization was Utility Photovoltaic Group, left for a brief period, only to return in 2004 when the organization became what it is today, SEPA.
Eden Full Goh is a young solar innovator who is best known for her invention of the SunSaluter. Her invention is a non-toxic, inexpensive, recyclable device made of metal and bamboo that allows solar panels to track the sun without using a motor. The SunSaluter includes solar panels that rotate to track the sun using mechanical water flow, giving users 40 percent more electricity. Today, her invention provides clean water using solar energy for rural, off-grid communities in 18 countries.
Another woman who made a significant contribution to the solar industry is Dr. Ellen Williams, former Director of the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) in the United States Department of Energy. During her tenure, she oversaw the development of several breakthrough energy technologies, including solar energy systems.
In addition to these pioneers, many women are making their mark in the solar industry today. Women are leading solar companies, working as solar engineers, and driving innovation in the field. For example, Lynn Jurich is the CEO and co-founder of Sunrun, one of the largest residential solar companies in the United States. She is also the first female CEO of a publicly-traded solar company.
Moreover, women are also making a difference in solar policy. In 2021, Jennifer Granholm became the first female Secretary of Energy in the United States. In her role, she is working to promote clean energy and support the development of solar technologies, and issued a statement on the IRA inflation reduction act, one of the biggest and most influential bills to pass in the history of the United States. “The House of Representatives has just secured the most essential piece of President Biden’s strategy for building a secure clean energy economy: the Inflation Reduction Act. […] The future is bright—and it will be clean.”
Despite the contributions women have made to the solar industry, there is still much work to be done to achieve gender parity. According to a report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, women comprise only 27% of the solar workforce in the United States. Additionally, women are underrepresented in leadership positions in the industry.
Organizations are working to promote diversity and inclusion in the solar industry.
For example, Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy. (WRISE) is a nonprofit organization that supports women's professional development and advancement in the industry. The Solar Foundation's Women in Solar Program also works to promote gender diversity in the solar workforce. Solwomen is an organization that promotes renewable and decentralized electrification.
Women have been pioneers in the solar industry since its inception. From Mária Telkes to Lynn Jurich, women have made significant contributions to solar technology and continue to do so today. However, there is still much work to be done to achieve gender parity in the industry, and organizations are working to promote diversity and inclusion. Helio GreenTech sees solar industry as a being important to all of humanity, but especially women. Women in marginalized communities, are disproportionately affected by climate change, and as such, must be at the forefront of finding sustainable solutions. By increasing the representation of women in the solar industry, we can not only provide more opportunities for women but also bring diverse perspectives to the table, resulting in innovative solutions and a stronger, more resilient industry. As we continue to transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, let us remember that gender diversity and inclusivity are key components of achieving success. Together, we can build a brighter, more sustainable future for all.
