Status: 25/08/2023, 19:04 p.m.
By: Romina Kunze
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The expansion of solar energy is proceeding slowly. This is also due to the lack of young skilled workers. A solution by activists is not very well received.
Berlin – The idea of using the sun's natural energy and converting it into electricity for private households is not new. But it is only in recent years that technology has experienced a major boost in Germany, with demand rising steadily: According to the Federal Statistical Office, the share of electricity generated from solar energy in 2022 was higher than ever before. Eleven percent of the total electricity fed into the grid in Germany flowed through solar panels.
According to climate enthusiasts, there is still room for improvement. Not only Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck (Greens) would like to see significantly more solar systems on Germany's roofs, Luisa Neubauer of the protest group "Fridays For Future" (FFF) is also in favor of it. Not everyone in Germany is enthusiastic about the idea of taking matters into their own hands.
"#JobsForFuture": Neubauer celebrates "Training Camp for Solar Installation"
Germany is suffering from a shortage of skilled workers. There is a shortage of around 250,000 qualified craftsmen, and on top of that, according to information from the Tagesschau, around 60,000 fitters are needed in the sanitary and heating sector who could drive the expansion of solar energy.
The response of the activist group, which became known for skipping school on Fridays in protest, was a one-week "solar camp" in which a group of young people was to be introduced to the subject. In view of the lack of young talent in the industry, this is actually a laudable approach. However, the response to this has been restrained.
On Twitter, Neubauer expresses her enthusiasm for the "training camp for solar installation". "Finally!", the face of the organization starts on Twitter about the FFF training campaign and promises that more camps will follow. The tweet is rounded off with a "#JobsForFuture". Installing solar panels instead of truancy – sounds promising. Nevertheless, criticism hails under Neubauer's tweet.
Solar camp of "Fridays for Future" reaps malice: "What could possibly go wrong?"
In particular, advocates of the aforementioned craft industry are not very enthusiastic about the project. "An 'apprenticeship' without an IHK examination on electrical installations ... hey, what's going to go wrong...", writes one user cynically in the comments under the tweet.
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Another reacts with malice: "Oh, it's that easy? New roofs everywhere with sufficient load-bearing capacity and modern roof tiles? Why do these stupid craftsmen always act like this, when it's obviously so easy?" One person would rather see the 15 inquisitive people fill one of the many open apprenticeships in the skilled trades.
But a general rejection of solar energy can also be read in the comments. While one person is more bothered by the associated costs and taxation, another raises the question of how to dispose of discarded modules: "After all, the life expectancy of these panels is not too high, in contrast to nuclear or, for my part, hydroelectric power plants. And with widespread use, there is a lot of 'hazardous waste'."
"After school strike Fridays now solar assembly": Twitter users amused by idea
While one user thinks the post is a parody, another denies the organizers and participants the entire mental competence: "How borderline debilitating are you?". After all, in addition to criticism, there were also more or less constructive alternative proposals on how to deal with the climate crisis: "Plant trees - everyone can do it and is more effective".
A critic cannot resist taking a swipe at the actions of many climate activists. His question as to whether the next FFF camps will train chemists for glue is aimed at the protest by sticking them on the street or on buildings. This is what the members of the "Last Generation" are primarily known for, but as is well known, climate protection can only succeed if everyone pulls together. For the sake of the punch line, you can sometimes lump all the activists together. How to land an artful verbal bull's eye, he could learn from this comment: "After school strike Fridays now solar assembly".
Meanwhile, according to FFF, the camp is in great demand among the target group. "The motivation to be part of the energy transition is huge. Now it is up to the Berlin government to create better framework conditions and more training places," the activist group demands. Meanwhile, the "colleagues" of the "last generation" in Bavaria are drawing attention to themselves. (rku)