Trades
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
Energy

Solar Installer

Solar photovoltaic installers install solar panels on rooftops or other structures
Solar Installer
Are you passionate about saving the earth and slowing down climate change?
Why Should You Consider This Career?

Help residents and businesses work towards a green future. Work with a small team on roofs outside.

TYPICAL SALARY
$80k
That's $3,300 per bi-weekly paycheck
CAREER OUTLOOK
Growing
That's 2000 new jobs in Utah per year (30% growth)
Less Physical                                         More Physical
—————|————
Less Training                                          More Training
—————|————
More Structure                                     Less Structure
—————|————
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Installer, Photovoltaic Installer (PV Installer), PV Design Technician (Photovoltaic Design Technician), Solar Designer, Solar Installer, Solar Installer Technician, Solar Photovoltaic Installer (Solar PV Installer), Solar Technician

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.

At A Glance in US
2028 JOB GROWTH
Wage loader
398,000 (35%)
SALARY RANGE
This is some text inside of a div block.
AVG. JOBS / YEAR
398,000 (35%)
TIME TO JOURNEYMAN
398,000 (35%)
ALTERNATIVE JOB TITLES:
Installer, Photovoltaic Installer (PV Installer), PV Design Technician (Photovoltaic Design Technician), Solar Designer, Solar Installer, Solar Installer Technician, Solar Photovoltaic Installer (Solar PV Installer), Solar Technician
A Typical Day Icon

Your Typical Day:

  • Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
  • Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
  • Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
  • Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment.
  • Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.
  • Identify methods for laying out, orienting, and mounting modules or arrays to ensure efficient installation, electrical configuration, or system maintenance.
  • Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.
  • Examine designs to determine current requirements for all parts of the photovoltaic (PV) system electrical circuit.
  • Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.
  • Test operating voltages to ensure operation within acceptable limits for power conditioning equipment, such as inverters and controllers.
wage icon

Wages in the US:

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$
31.06
Per Hour Base Income
$TBD
Total Compensation
Your Responsibilities Icon

Your Responsibilities

  • Install solar energy systems.
  • Determine appropriate locations for operations or installations.
  • Select construction materials.
  • Apply sealants or other protective coatings.
  • Determine construction project layouts.
  • Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
  • Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
  • Inspect electrical or electronic systems for defects.
  • Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
  • Test green technology installations to verify performance.
Your Knowledge Icon

Knowledge You Will Learn

  • Mechanical

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance. 75/100

  • Building and Construction

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads. 72/100

  • English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. 67/100

  • Design

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models. 66/100

  • Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. 62/100

  • Production and Processing

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods. 60/100

  • Engineering and Technology

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services. 57/100

  • Mathematics

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications. 51/100

  • Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 49/100

  • Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources. 44/100

Tools of the Trade Icon

Tools of the Trade

  • Levels
  • Screwdrivers
  • Power drills
  • Pipe wrenches
  • Stripping tools
  • Pipe or tube cutter
  • Hex keys
  • Multimeters
  • Round file
  • Masks or accessories
  • Front end loaders
  • Ladders
  • Tape measures
  • Geological compasses
  • Wire cutters
  • Ratchets
  • Ohmmeters
  • Blow torch
  • Notebook computers
  • Squares
  • Post hole digger
  • Shovels
  • Pitch measuring instruments
  • Minivans or vans
  • Locking pliers
  • Sledge hammer
  • Portable data input terminals
  • Safety harnesses or belts
  • Caulking guns
  • Digital camcorders or video cameras
  • Solar radiation surface observing apparatus
  • Adjustable wrenches
  • Pocket calculator
  • Trenching machines
  • Wire lug crimping tool
  • Global positioning system GPS receiver
  • Claw hammer
  • Power saws
  • Tinners snips
  • Mallets
  • Putty knives
  • Safety glasses
  • Utility knives
  • Forklifts
  • Protective gloves
  • Wheelbarrows
  • Desktop computers
  • Personal computers
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