Vietnam’s Growing Solar Market is Facing a Shortage of Trained Workforce

Solplanet today marked a significant step in its Southeast Asia expansion with the opening of its first Service and Training Center in Vietnam and the signing of a Master Distributor agreement for Vietnam and Lao market with Vu Phong Energy Group. During the event, both brands also launched the Solplanet Certified Installer Program, a structured technical training pathway open to both professional solar installers and non-PV professionals entering the sector for the first time.

A snapshot of Vietnam and Global PV market

In 2026, Vietnam’s solar market is entering a new phase of accelerated growth under the Revised Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8). The plan targets up to 73.4 GW of solar capacity by 2030, while energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming a critical enabler of renewable energy integration, supported by a national target of 10–16.3 GW of storage capacity. At the same time, the government continues to promote self-consumption rooftop solar and develop regulatory frameworks for energy storage, creating strong momentum for Solar + Storage deployment of integrated solar and storage solutions across residential, commercial and industrial applications in Vietnam.

This development reflects a broader global trend, as solar generation, battery storage and energy management technologies become increasingly integrated into modern energy systems.

The Skills Gap: A Shortage of Trained Installers

Behind the capacity targets and policy frameworks lies a structural challenge: qualified technical capacity. Across Asia, the pace of renewable energy scaling is outstripping the availability of skilled workers, creating a bottleneck that risks slowing progress toward net zero. The gap is measurable and growing.

Analysis from the 2025 U.S. Energy and Employment Report shows that 86% of solar employers report difficulty filling open positions. At the same time, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has highlighted that decentralised rooftop solar is significantly more labour-intensive than utility-scale projects, placing increasing pressure on the installer workforce as residential markets expand.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, employers in Southeast Asia are actively investing in closing skills gaps, yet technical capacity in emerging solar markets continues to lag behind installation demand.

Solplanet and Vu Phong Energy Group join forces to train the next generation of PV professionals

The Solplanet Certified Installer Program,has been designed as a direct response to this challenge. The program provides structured technical training for experienced solar professionals and a formal entry pathway for non-PV professionals who wish to build a career in the solar sector. By expanding the pool of qualified professionals, the program aims to support the sustainable growth of Vietnam’s solar sector at a time when demand for skilled technical expertise continues to increase.

The demand for skilled technical expertise continues to increase in Vietnam

The newly opened Service and Technical Training Center provides the physical foundation for this effort, offering hands-on training facilities, technical support, product availability and warranty processing capabilities to support both installers and distribution partners.

Pham Nam Phong, Chairman &CEO of Vu Phong Energy Group: “The collaboration with Solplanet is part of Vu Phong Energy Group’s strategy to expand our portfolio of high-quality energy solutions for Vietnam’s growing market. We believe the combination of Vu Phong’s project deployment capabilities and market experience, together with Solplanet’s technology and product quality, will deliver real value to customers and contribute to the sustainable development of Vietnam’s renewable energy sector.”

Simon Sun, Senior Regional Director, Solplanet Southeast Asia: “Southeast Asia is one of the most dynamic solar markets in the world right now, and Vietnam is leading that charge. Opening this service and training center with Vu Phong Energy Group is one of our commitments to long-term growth in Vietnam — supporting installers, growing local expertise, and investing in the facilities and infrastructure the market needs. We are here to grow together with our partners and the installer community”

Solplanet appoints Vu Phong Energy Group as a Master Distributor for Vietnam and Lao market.

The expansion in Vietnam is supported by the global capabilities of Solplanet’s parent company AISWEI. According to Wood Mackenzie’s 2024 Global PV Inverter Shipment Rankings, AISWEI ranked number one worldwide in residential string inverter shipments and third globally in the commercial and industrial segment, while securing a top-six position overall among PV inverter manufacturers. Operating internationally under the Solplanet brand, the company combines global scale with a strong focus on local market needs.