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03 08 20 - 02:57
by Artur Meyster
Renewable energies are a commendable sector that is often times regarded as altruistic. Not only the works that are done contribute significantly toward a sustainable future but jobs in this field are also compensated well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, all jobs related to renewable energies have higher salaries than the average American jobs. The BLS also highlighted that solar-panel installers and wind-turbine installers are some of the fastest-growing careers in the country.
It goes without saying that the tech industry also plays an influence on the development of the renewable energy sector. If you would like to get a tech job in this sector, we’ll show you some of the most in-demand skills that you would need.
Financial Analysis
The role of a financial analyst is a vital one. When building a project, for instance, most companies have to abide by certain regulations imposed by the government and its institutions. Therefore, companies would have to look at all the possible scenarios they might encounter while ensuring that they follow the routes that are the most financially sensible.
In this sector, a financial analyst is a professional that provides consulting services to renewable energy companies in terms of financing and administration. Financial analysts make quantitative analyses to spot factors that could be affecting the project’s investment and overall finances.
If you’re curious about the salary of a financial analyst, we can tell you that it’s more lucrative than you may think. A financial analyst can make up to $85,660 annually, according to this Business Insider article below. The same article also highlighted that the role is projected to grow by 10% in 2026.
Data Science
Data science covers a lot of ground and not only in the tech industry. The reason being data scientists can spot errors and predict future patterns that might influence the results of a particular project. That’s why the role of a data scientist has become so important in the renewable energy industry.
Data science can provide a variety of benefits to the renewable energy industry. Through data science, companies can improve the reliability of solar panel technology and maintenance systems. Besides, by applying other related technologies like machine learning algorithms, renewable companies can optimize the cooling and heating systems in the panels and wind energy systems, among others.
Data science can also help companies lower the costs of production by analyzing data from the process of development. The scientists can help companies analyze the market trends to come up with the best solutions for their customers.
If you would like to become a data scientist, there are great schools like Galvanize or Thinkful that offer immersive courses that teach you all the essential skills you’ll need to become successful in this career. The estimated annual salary of a data scientist is over $100,000, so this is definitely a skill that promises lucrative outlooks.
Software Development
According to the cited article below from Business Insider, software engineering roles will increase by 11.1% by 2026. This means that software development will be even more in-demand in the future of renewable energy companies.
In essence, software engineers are professionals who develop, maintain and update digital products that help a company achieves its business goals. In the renewable energy sector, there are many ways a company can benefit from hiring stellar software developers, be it for specific projects or general use cases.
Machine Learning
Machine learning and artificial intelligence are causing a big splash even in the renewable energy sector. You may think that they’re not related, but they sure are. There are so many initiatives that embrace the machine learning trend in the industry, as seen in some initiatives by institutions like IBM, Google, and the National Center for Atmospheric Research.
Most of the applications of machine learning in renewable energy systems rely on predictions. The technology helps companies identify future climate changes, among others, which then tells them to act accordingly.
If you would like to become a machine learning engineer, there are many schools such as Hack Reactor or Springboard, where you can learn everything from the fundamentals of machine learning to statistics in just a couple of months. These schools are also affordable, in comparison to traditional universities.
Conclusion
Some of the most in-demand tech trends in the renewable energy industry like data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence are here to stay. They will only continue to create a positive impact on the way renewable energy companies work. So, if you are thinking about making a career shift, consider familiarizing yourself with one of the above mentioned skills.
Related:
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How to Become a Data Scientist in 2020
Galvanize - coding bootcamp and coworking space
How to Become a Software Engineer in 2020
Start a Data Science Career
Springboard - on-line courses - UI/UX Design, Data Science, Data Analytics, Web Development, Full Stack Development
Artur Meyster is the CTO of Career Karma (YC W19), an online marketplace that matches career switchers with coding bootcamps. He is also the host of the Breaking Into Startups podcast, which features people with non-traditional backgrounds who broke into tech.
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Used tags: alt_energy_tech_jobs, alternative_energy_jobs, how_to_get_a_job_in_renewable_energy, solar_panel_installers, wind_turbine_installers