Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.
High school diploma
Construction & Extraction
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
Also called: PV Installer (Photovoltaic Installer), Solar Installer, Solar PV Installer (Solar Photovoltaic Installer), Solar PV Integrator (Solar Photovoltaic Integrator)
- Typical education
- Post-secondary certificate
- 37% of workers surveyed
- Preparation needed
- Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Job Zone 2 of 5
- Programs in this directory
- 232
- that lead to this career
What solar photovoltaic installers do
Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks.
Typical tasks
- 1Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
- 2Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.
- 3Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.
- 4Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
- 5Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
- 6Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
- 7Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.
- 8Install required labels on solar system components and hardware.
- 9Diagram layouts and locations for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and equipment, including existing building or site features.
- 10Determine materials, equipment, and installation sequences necessary to maximize installation efficiency.
Key skills
- Installation3.4/5
- Critical Thinking3.2/5
- Active Listening3.1/5
- Judgment and Decision Making3.1/5
- Monitoring3.1/5
- Operations Monitoring3.1/5
- Quality Control Analysis3.1/5
- Active Learning3.0/5
Importance rated by workers in this career (1–5).
Knowledge areas
- Building and Construction4.8/5
- Engineering and Technology4.4/5
- Mechanical4.3/5
- Design4.1/5
- Administration and Management4.1/5
- Customer and Personal Service4.0/5
Importance rated by workers in this career (1–5).
Technology used
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Extensible markup language XML
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Word
- Salesforce software
How to become one
- Education
- The most common level among workers surveyed is a post-secondary certificate (37%). Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Where to study
Subjects that prepare for this career:
Showing 12 of 232 matching programs.
Related careers
Solar Energy Installation Managers
Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.
High school diploma
Wind Turbine Service Technicians
Inspect, diagnose, adjust, or repair wind turbines.
Post-secondary certificate
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians
Monitor and control activities associated with hydropower generation.
Associate's degree
Lighting Technicians
Set up, maintain, and dismantle light fixtures, lighting control devices, and the associated lighting electrical and rigging equipment used for photography, television, film, video, and live productions.
This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. We have modified some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these modifications. Programs are linked with the CIP–SOC crosswalk from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES). Education levels and preparation describe the United States and may differ in other countries.