It is no secret that the solar energy sector employs many employees. Solar farms are part of this industry, and it employs people too.
However, how many employees are necessary for a solar farm to run successfully? Going by statistics, what’s the number of people working in the various solar farms?
These are great questions enough to draw a perfect picture of how solar farms are doing regarding employment. It helps one know whether working in one is an excellent career path.
Equally important, it shows the solar energy sector’s impact on employment, especially solar farms. So, let’s learn how many employees for a solar farm and much more.
How Many Workers Are Necessary to Operate a Solar Farm
Whenever budgeting for a solar farm, one can’t ignore the cost of staffing it for efficient operation. One of the important things is identifying the number of workers.
After all, the figure determines how much money you will spend on wages. Unfortunately, there is no specific answer to this million-dollar question.
That’s because of the various factors which bring about this variation. The most determining factor is the size of the solar farm for obvious reasons.
If the solar farm is relatively large, it may require several employees to operate it successfully. On the other hand, small solar farms will need a few workers.
Besides the size of the solar farm, the power output also determines the number of workers. It may be small but outputs many kilowatts, enough to make a huge difference.
For instance, a small solar farm producing a few kW may only need one employee to run successfully. Interestingly, the worker doesn’t have to work full-time under such circumstances.
That changes when dealing with medium-sized solar farms. After all, employees must be available at least 16 hours per day.
It will require around 4 people working in two shifts. However, the number may increase slightly during service time.
Whereas an active survey of the solar farm is unnecessary, it is advisable to be on standby and readily available. For instance, you shouldn’t drive for hours to get to the farm if your services are needed at any particular time.
Equally important, there are quite large solar farms. These projects need full-time supervision, not forgetting more workers to run the solar farm successfully.
Besides, one person can’t handle the necessary maintenance. The 24-hr. supervision is another reason these solar farms require more workers.
Various Employees in a Solar Farm
Like any other solar project, a solar farm requires certain professionals to get the job done. In most cases, these employees include the following;
Scientific Researchers
They include the following;
- Chemists
- Material scientists
- Physicists
Solar Power Engineers
There are various engineers, including the following;
- Chemical engineers
- Computer software developers
- Electrical engineers
- Engineering technicians
- Industrial engineers
- Material engineers
- Mechanical engineers
Solar Power Manufacturing
This sector employs several workers such as;
- Brazing, soldering and welding workers
- Computer-controlled machine tool operators
- Electronic and electrical equipment assemblers
- Electronics and electrical repairers and installers
- Glaziers
- Industrial production managers
- Painting and coating machine tenders, setters and operators
- Semiconductor processors
Solar Farm Development
In this sector, the following employees apply;
- Atmospheric and space scientists
- Environmental scientists and specialists, including health
- Real estate brokers
Solar Farm Construction
- Brazers
- Civil engineers
- Construction labourers
- Construction managers
- Cutters
- Operating engineers
- Solderers
- Structural iron and steel workers
- Various construction equipment operators
- Welders
Solar Farm Operation
Power Plant Operators
- Electrical and electronics repairers
- Electricians
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Powerhouse operators
- Pump operators, other than the wellhead pumpers
- Relay operators
- Steamfitters
- Substation operators
Other Solar Farm Employees
Besides the above employees, a solar farm often needs the following;
- Electricians
- Pipefitters
- Plumbers
- Roofers
- Solar photovoltaic installers
- Steamfitters
- Supporting staff
How to Recruit Employees in a Solar Farm
Regarding employing employees that you need to operate a solar farm, there are various options that one can consider. They include the following;
Outsourcing Work to Subcontractors
Some aspects of a solar farm project are easy to qualify and quantify. The best way to get the related tasks done is to find a subcontractor ready to do them.
However, it also means dealing with lengthy, detailed legal exchanges with contractors. After all, the two teams must agree on the specifications to avoid misunderstandings.
Employing Contractors on Demand
Hiring people with the skills and expertise solar power needs to run smoothly is relatively expensive. However, your project’s success relies on these people to a great extent.
Therefore, you can’t afford to hire underqualified people. Rest assured that you might have to break the bank to pay them.
Nevertheless, you can reduce this cost by hiring them contractually. Therefore, you will only pay them when you need their services for a certain period.
Another drawback is dealing with human resources when recruiting the team. Regardless, it is a great option since you won’t have to spend too much to hire these experts.
Employing Full-time Employees
Finding full-time employees is the best approach if the project involves several solar farms. Since there are several projects to operate and monitor, having such employees make much sense.
After all, they will be shifting from one solar farm to another. Under such circumstances, they will most likely be working full-time, explaining the appropriateness of this hiring approach.
It is important to note that this arrangement requires additional expenses. They include sick leave, annual leave, insurance, taxes, superannuation, pay and awards.
You also need to tackle various human resource tasks, yet another liability. However, it is ideal when handling various solar farms simultaneously besides promoting organization.
Outsourcing Employees for the Entire Project
Unlike outsourcing a subtractor for certain tasks, this approach translates to outsourcing the workforce needed for a project.
Under such circumstances, you will have ample time to concentrate on other matters which may need your attention. It also comes in handy when dealing with limited resources, especially when working far from your motherland.
It saves time you would need to recruit your team of workers. Therefore, you can start constructing or managing the solar farm soon.
