Mohamed Abbas

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Fall 9-25-2025

Abstract

The renewable energy markets are undergoing significant developments; there is a considerable gap between the industry requirements and the available skillful workforce. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA, 2024), the renewable energy industry globally employed 16.2 million people in 2023, with estimates showing a significant increase to around 40 million by 2050, depending on the achievement of a 1.5°C scenario. Though the continuous expansion of the workforce continues, there is still a shortage that will be difficult to fill. This shortage is a serious problem, especially in developing countries, where climate change is prompting the establishment of new job opportunities. Cost-effective and easily fabricated open-source hardware (OSH)-based systems are available and open for educational uses in solar, wind, and microgrid technologies, providing an attractive solution to this worldwide shortage of labor.

According to practical research, open-source hardware platforms could cut hardware acquisition and development costs down to 90% compared with proprietary hardware (Pearce, 2012; Open-Source Hardware Association, 2023). While the actual amount of such savings could vary with the specific application, the spillover remains significant. Open-source hardware kits are even being tried out in educational institutions around the globe and incorporated into community-oriented training programs with successful effects.

This literature review discusses how Open-Source Hardware (OSH) assists in achieving the goals of Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) under COP30. Making a direct link with Axis V (Education for Green Jobs) and Axis VI (Technology Cooperation). There are three case studies reviewed: Solar Mamas (Barefoot College), Husk Power Systems, and microgrid training kits from HardwareX. The report ends with a set of policy recommendations to integrate OSH with climate education programs.

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