Renewable energy careers: 4 key trends and 1 piece of advice for getting plugged in

The benefits of decentralized, non-polluting and locally managed renewable energy systems that improve the quality of life in remote villages is downright sexy for anyone inside (or outside!) the development profession. I can vouch that these projects are exciting and immensely impactful, but also difficult and time-consuming. Beyond interest in renewable energy from the major traditional NGOs and specialized renewable energy-focused organizations, there is a growing movement of D-I-Yers ranging from students to engineers, clean-energy professionals and renewable energy companies that want to get into the game. As someone who has worked at the nexus of clean energy and international development for eight years in the private and nonprofit sectors in the United States and overseas, I would like to share four key trends that I see in the field of renewable energy for international development and one key piece of advice to aide your job search in this innovative and growing sector: 1. Small-scale renewable energy systems are being deployed everywhere By small-scale, I’m referring to village-level systems providing electricity or potable water for a few hundred people in a community. Even some of the most remote villages in Nepal, Afghanistan, Ecuador, Uganda, Philippines, Tanzania and literally over a hundred other countries have some sort of renewable energy activity at the village level. Technologies range from 100 Watt solar home systems (2 CFLs, radio, and cell phone charger) for home lighting to 15 kW micro-hydro for small businesses and refrigeration, to 2 kW solar water pumps and even 100 Watt small wind systems. Why? The cost has come down for these technologies so considerably that they are more economical than the diesel generators these renewable, non-polluting sources replace. 2. We have entered the era of ‘The Big Idea’ Big donors like the U.S. Agency for International Development, United Nations and some foundations increasingly only want to see proposals that can reach a minimum of 1 million people in a few years. Furthermore, donors are pushing aid agencies toward market-based approaches that leverage micro-credit and public-private partnerships. It makes perfect sense to want to stretch donor dollars as far as possible and to empower communities so they are not dependent of foreign aid dollars. There has been considerable success on this front. However, it also has limitations since the regions most aid agencies target suffer from chronic uncertainty in all facets of life. Plus, a core tenet of international development is that one size does not fit all. This inevitably leads to a focus on widgets and financing mechanisms instead of the community development component that is often the most important. Too much emphasis on the “innovation is the solution” approach also overlooks the current and historical injustices faced by many of these communities, which is often a leading contributor to their impoverished status. 3. NGOs are now seen as professional service organizations Without actually having worked for an international NGO, or seen a project yourself, it’s hard to get a sense of what “aid workers” actually do on a daily basis. For the most part, people are highly educated, committed, and increasingly coming from the private sector. Especially in our case, when we are dealing with sophisticated technology. Paired with increasing demands for transparency and accountability on behalf of donors, you have some really innovative NGOs that are creating more value per dollar than many would expect. Value in this case means people with access to potable water or electricity in their homes. Contrary to popular belief, the NGO world is more cut-throat than the private sector in a lot of ways, as your job is typically only as secure as your last funded project. The flip side of this is that the lines between nonprofit and private sector are being blurred, in my opinion. Beltway Bandits is a term that is sometimes used to refer to the growing number of multimillion dollar “nonprofits” that leverage their Washington ties to usurp a growing percentage of aid dollars. It’s a trend that, in my view, needs to be reversed as larger organizations have larger overhead and often enjoy salaries, benefits, and lifestyles that may open up this industry to criticism. 4. There are more ways than ever to get involved and make a difference An example: Since May 2007, to meet overwhelming demand, Green Empowerment has partnered with more than 360 people and formed partnerships with a dozen universities, renewable energy suppliers, solar installers, social action groups, and dedicated individuals that have stepped outside the traditional notion of volunteering to become fundraisers, project developers, installation teams, and collaborative partners. (You can learn more about these partnerships and opportunities here). The bottom line for job seekers Larger aid agencies overwhelmingly hire from the inside or through a personal connection. A master’s degree in international development or overseas experience is often not enough anymore to get an interview with a large or small organization. In my opinion, in order to break into international development, it’s increasingly about what resources, ideas and funding you can bring to the table. This partnership or joint-venture approach is particularly more effective when targeting the numerous smaller NGOs that operate on a lean budget. There is funding out there if you are determined to find it. This can also lead to you playing a significant and rewarding role in a project instead of getting stuck with the entry-level position you apply for online. If you walk up to me with a plan for funding a project (or yourself) that is consistent with our mission, I’ll listen to you (preferably over a pint at a microbrewery), and help anyway I can. This is both a challenge and an opportunity – but one that I have seen a growing number of creative, committed and dynamic people rise to over the years. Read more: - Environmental Jobs: What You Need to Know - Water Jobs: Spotlight on a Key Development Issue