European Solar Diversity Champion Awards 2024

The Solar Diversity Champion Awards, launched by SolarPower Europe in 2021, will return in 2024 to recognise organisations in the European solar sector that have made outstanding efforts towards achieving Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The award aims to increase visibility and awareness around the importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the solar sector, as well as to highlight successful initiatives and practices that can serve as shining examples for others.

With the solar sector expected to supply at least 1.2 million jobs in 2027, it is crucial to ensure that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are integrated into the workforce. For example, solar is the most gender-balanced renewable energy technology, with women making up 40% of the solar workforce. However, there is still much more work to be done to improve gender equality and diversity more widely, at all levels of an organisation, in particular when it comes to the share of underrepresented groups in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) careers and senior management. In 2022, women held less than 20% of senior management positions (17%), and under a third of STEM positions (32%) within the solar industry.

The awards will acknowledge and celebrate organisations that have demonstrated commitment and success in creating diverse, inclusive work environments. By highlighting such organisations, SolarPower Europe hopes to encourage more companies to prioritise Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workplace, leading to a stronger and more innovative solar industry.

Timeline

18/07/2024 – Competition opens

03/09/2024 – Deadline for Applications

19/09/2024 – Announcement of 3 Finalists

03/10/2024 – Finalists presentations at the European Solar Diversity Champion Webinar

Prizes