Sonnedix goes for gold at the 2024 Solar Diversity Champion Awards

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Thursday, 3rd October 2024):  Sonnedix, LevelTen Energy, and RatedPower, were voted  as the Gold, Silver, and Bronze 2024 Solar Diversity Champion Awards Winners.

The panel applauded Sonnedix’s gender diversity, equity, and inclusion ethos across its activities, highlighting its internship programme which aims to create a pool of underrepresented talent to feed into the solar and renewables sectors, including women, youth, and minorities. Their programme was presented by Aditi Bhat, Talent Acquisition & DEI Manager at Sonnedix.

Axel Thiemann, Chief Executive Officer of Sonnedix (he/him) said; “We are humbled by this award, and I want to congratulate the two other finalists - we are all actively contributing to making our sector more diverse and inclusive. This recognition by Solar Power Europe of our progress, strengthens our ongoing commitment to diversity, equality, and inclusion. We will continue to learn from, and share with, our peers in this important area, to accelerate the energy transition, and power a bright future for everyone!”

With the EU solar sector expected to offer 1 million jobs in Europe by 2027, it is crucial to ensure that diversity and gender balance are integrated into the workforce. 40% of the solar workers are women according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) - more than any other energy sector. However, there is still much work to be done to improve gender and diversity balance at all levels of organisations, in particular when it comes to the share of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

Walburga Hemetsberger, CEO of SolarPower Europe, (she/her) said; “We are proud to honour Sonnedix with the Gold Solar Diversity Champion Award. The solar industry will offer 1 million jobs in the EU by 2027, and it’s companies like Sonnedix that are ensuring everyone is part of this bright future."

The Solar Diversity Champion Award acknowledges and celebrates organisations that have demonstrated commitment and success in achieving gender balance, and 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.

The jury panel nominated three finalists for the Gold, Silver and Bronze Solar Diversity Champion Awards 2024: Sonnedix, LevelTen Energy, and RatedPower.

During the Solar Diversity Awards Webinar, award finalists presented their work on inclusivity and diversity to online attendees, and a jury panel. Afterwards, attendees voted for their Gold, Silver, and Bronze Solar Diversity Champion Award Winners. 

The jury panel featured: Vilius Aleknavičius, Product Manager, SoliTek; Tomiris Amirova, Project Associate, Florence School of Regulation; Ihsane Haouach, Societal Entrepreneur and Author; Olivia Lori Iglesias Ucendo, Communications Officer and EU Influencer, European Youth Forum; and Lily Murdoch, Digital Communications Advisor, SolarPower Europe as moderator.

Kirsten Rota, Director of the Energy Scholars Mentoring Programme, spoke on behalf of LevelTen Energy. Sara Valdes Busto, Recruiter, presented RatedPower’s diversity initiatives.

LevelTen Energy was the second finalist recognised by the panel. The company was praised for its work through its Energy Scholars Mentorship Programme, which provides college students from marginalised groups with an all-expenses paid internship. 70% of their Energy Scholar participants now work in the clean energy industry!

Finally, the judges applauded RatedPower’s holistic approach to diversity and gender equality, which is embedded across the company’s culture, values, inclusive hiring processes and leadership, 50% of whom are women.

© Sonnedix