2010 heralds a new era as Ontario’s economy paves the way for a wave of new green jobs. With the help of Ontario’s new Green Energy Act, the solar industry is poised for rapid growth, thus, creating various solar energy career opportunities throughout the province.

Solar Source Corp. Promises 500 Green Jobs in Ontario

Ontario-based Solar Source Corp. recently announced plans to open a large manufacturing plant on Windsor Airport grounds in conjunction with HHV Technologies, an Indian manufacturer of PV cells. This 45,000 square foot facility could hire as many as 500 employees by the end of 2011.

Unconquered Sun Solar Industries is also scheduled to build a manufacturing plant in Windsor. When completed by June 2010, it will generate at least a dozen new green jobs immediately, with many potential career opportunities to follow in later years. Unconquered Sun has indicated that in order to further boost Ontario’s economy, it will turn primarily to local retailers and manufacturers for material inputs.

Government of Canada Backs Renewable Energy Industry

Although private backing is crucial to the success of Ontario’s green energy push, the province also benefits from public tax dollars and carefully crafted renewable energy legislation. Over the last few years, local, provincial, and federal government agencies have invested millions of dollars in sustainable technologies, including nearly $4 million from the City of Windsor to finance the upcoming Solar Source facility. And nearly all of the major renewable energy projects announced over the past several months have been directly influenced by FIT incentives and domestic content requirements designed to facilitate the province’s transition to a more sustainable future.

Demand for Green Professionals on the Rise

Accompanying all of this legislation and investment is growing interest in qualified solar professionals. Manufacturing, installation, business administration, and engineering represent just a handful of the most in-demand skills. Targeting the tail-end of this solar value chain, Ontario Solar Academy has expanded its training capacity to help prepare more PV designers and installers as the province continues to announce more solar projects. Associate Director, David Gower, explains, “Ontario is becoming a major focal point of North America’s solar boom. With domestic content requirements mandating local labour quotas, the province must produce a steady stream of knowledgeable professionals to help new projects qualify for government incentives.”