Solar enegy sector-related employment in Greece has the potential to increase by 403 percent between 2016 and 2021, which would represent Europe’s second-largest rise, a new Ernst & Young study has forecast.

Spain is predicted to possess the greatest growth potential, this being 471 percent for the same period, the study noted.

Poland was ranked third with a 381 percent solar sector growth capacity between 2016 and 2021, according to the Ernst & Young study.

As for Europe, overall, a total of 175,000 additional solar energy sector work positions can be added between 2016 and 2021, according to the study. Such a development promises to end the sector’s subdued activity of recent years and spur new facility development and RES auctions.

The Ernst & Young study also noted that increased RES penetration in Europe’s energy mix, to a level of 35 percent in 2030, from 27 percent at present, would create an additional 120,000 solar energy sector jobs.

The Ernst & Young study forecast that the 1,022 solar energy sector-related jobs registered in Greece in 2008 and the 2008 jobs registered last year can grow to 10,094 by 2021. This would boost the market’s value from 48 million euros in 2016 to 264 million euros in 2021.

Further capacity would  need to be installed if such growth figures are to be achieved.