(Yicai Global) May 5 -- China's quickly developing new energy industry, including solar power and wind power, is struggling to find enough talent despite high salaries.

Universities can offer 15,000 new photovoltaic talents each year but from 2022 to 2025, the industry demand ranges from 221,000 to 387,000 new workers per year, according to data from the China Photovoltaic Industry Association.

Since the beginning of this year, solar power companies have majorly expanded production and the competition for talent among firms that make silicon wafers, modules and inverters is intensifying.

The average salary in many leading green energy companies increased by more than 20 percent last year, and in most cases exceeded CNY200,000 (USD28,939), according to Eastmoney Choice. At Sungrow Power Supply, an inverter manufacturer, the average pay was close to CNY400,000. Solar panel maker Tongwei Group boosted its average pay by 52 percent to exceed CNY280,000 while rival Akcome Group added 46 percent to surpass CNY250,000.

A mid-level manager from a private PV enterprise told Yicai Global that last year, employees in his department got a year-end bonus that equaled more than six months of salary. Moreover, it is common for firms to give a 30 percent pay hike to retain employees.

However, candidates are not only looking for high pay. Jobseekers are ranking potential employers based on career development and internal training opportunities and the job location is also important, Zeng Chunbao, general manager of PV firm Kehua Digital Tech's technology center, told Yicai Global.

The demand for talent in the entire new energy field, including energy storage, is very large so it is necessary to integrate industry and education, as well as deepen cross-border collaborations, Liu Yong, secretary-general of an energy storage branch of the China Industrial Association of Power Sources, said to Yicai Global.

Moreover, the government, enterprises and universities should coordinate and advance the talent training system through production, education, and research, Liu added.

Editor: Emmi Laine, Xiao Yi