Occupation

Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Human Advantage 71%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Moderate Risk
3.1 / 10

Some tasks in this role may be augmented by AI, but human oversight and interpersonal skills remain important.

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.

Also Known As: Electro-Mechanical Solar Technician (Electro-Mechanical Solar Tech), Installation Technician (Installation Tech), Installer, Journeyman Electrician PV Installer (Journeyman Electrician Photovoltaic Installer), PV Fabrication Technician (Photovoltaic Fabrication Technician), PV Fabrication and Testing Technician (Photovoltaic Fabrication and Testing Technician), PV Installation Tech (Photovoltaic Installation Technician), PV Installer (Photovoltaic Installer) +20 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
  2. Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.
  3. Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.
  4. Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
  5. Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
  6. Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
  7. Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.
  8. Install required labels on solar system components and hardware.
  9. Diagram layouts and locations for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and equipment, including existing building or site features.
  10. Determine materials, equipment, and installation sequences necessary to maximize installation efficiency.
  11. Test operating voltages to ensure operation within acceptable limits for power conditioning equipment, such as inverters and controllers.
  12. Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment.
  13. Activate photovoltaic (PV) systems to verify system functionality and conformity to performance expectations.
  14. Identify and resolve any deficiencies in photovoltaic (PV) system installation or materials.
  15. Visually inspect and test photovoltaic (PV) modules or systems.
  16. Examine designs to determine current requirements for all parts of the photovoltaic (PV) system electrical circuit.
  17. Demonstrate system functionality and performance, including start-up, shut-down, normal operation, and emergency or bypass operations.
  18. Identify methods for laying out, orienting, and mounting modules or arrays to ensure efficient installation, electrical configuration, or system maintenance.
  19. Measure and analyze system performance and operating parameters to assess operating condition of systems or equipment.
  20. Program, adjust, or configure inverters and controls for desired set points and operating modes.
  21. Determine connection interfaces for additional subpanels or for connecting photovoltaic (PV) systems with utility services or other power generation sources.
  22. Determine photovoltaic (PV) system designs or configurations based on factors such as customer needs, expectations, and site conditions.
  23. Select mechanical designs, installation equipment, or installation plans that conform to environmental, architectural, structural, site, and code requirements.
  24. Perform routine photovoltaic (PV) system maintenance on modules, arrays, batteries, power conditioning equipment, safety systems, structural systems, weather sealing, or balance of systems equipment.
  25. Compile or maintain records of system operation, performance, and maintenance.

Supplemental Tasks (1)

  1. Install active solar systems, including solar collectors, concentrators, pumps, or fans.

Education & Training

Job Zone 2 Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Experience: Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
37%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
34%
Bachelor's Degree
14%
Less than a High School Diploma
11%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
3%
Master's Degree
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word
  • Salesforce software

Software (10)

  • Computer aided design CAD software
  • Cost estimating software
  • Project management software
  • Work scheduling software

Tools & Equipment (54)

  • Acetylene torches
  • Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Builders' levels
  • Caulking equipment
  • Channel lock pliers
  • Claw hammers
  • Cordless drills
  • Crimping lugs
  • Desktop computers
  • Digital multimeters
  • Directional compasses
  • Dirt shovels
  • Extension ladders
  • Fall arrest harnesses
  • Filter masks
  • Forklifts
  • Framing squares
  • Global positioning system GPS receivers
  • Handheld calculators
  • Hex wrenches
  • Impact drills
  • Inclinometers
  • Laptop computers
  • Large pipe wrenches
  • Laser line levels
  • Mallets
  • Medium pipe wrenches
  • Pair of dykes
  • Personal computers
  • Phillips head screwdrivers
  • Pipe cutters
  • Post hole augers
  • Protective gloves
  • Putty knives
  • Rat tail files
  • Ratchet sets
  • Reciprocating saws
  • Safety glasses
  • Sledgehammers
  • Solar analysis systems
  • Solarimeters
  • Steel measuring tapes
  • Straight screwdrivers
  • Tin snips
  • Torpedo levels
  • Trenchers
  • Utility knives
  • Utility work machines
  • Video probe systems
  • Volt-ohm meters VOM
  • Wheelbarrows
  • Wire cutters
  • Wire strippers
  • Work vans

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Skilled Trades Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Helpers--Painters, Paperhangers, Plasterers, and Stucco Masons 78% match
Zone 2
Solar Photovoltaic Installers You are here
Zone 3
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians 95% match

Clean & Alternative Energy Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 2
Solar Photovoltaic Installers You are here
Zone 3
Hydroelectric Plant Technicians 93% match
Zone 4
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers 76% match
Zone 5
Architectural and Engineering Managers 73% match

Utilities Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 1
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners 76% match
Zone 2
Solar Photovoltaic Installers You are here
Zone 3
Solar Energy Installation Managers 93% match
Zone 4
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development Managers 76% match
Zone 5
Architectural and Engineering Managers 73% match

Resume Builder

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Real Talk

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