Career Overview
Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.
Also Known As
- Installation Manager
- Solar Energy Installation Manager
- Solar Installation Crew Foreman
- Solar Installation Manager
Alternate Job Titles
- Commercial Field Manager
- Commercial Solar Superintendent
- Commercial Subcontractor
- Installation Manager
- Photovoltaic Subcontractor
- Piping Supervisor
- Residential Field Manager
- Residential Field Supervisor
- Residential Remodeling Subcontractor
- Residential Subcontractor
- Solar Electrical Project Manager (Solar Electrical PM)
- Solar Energy Installation Manager
- Solar Energy Project Manager (Solar Energy PM)
- Solar Field Supervisor
- Solar Installation Crew Foreman
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Plan and coordinate installations of photovoltaic (PV) solar and solar thermal systems to ensure conformance to codes.
- Supervise solar installers, technicians, and subcontractors for solar installation projects to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Estimate materials, equipment, and personnel needed for residential or commercial solar installation projects.
- Prepare solar installation project proposals, quotes, budgets, or schedules.
- Provide technical assistance to installers, technicians, or other solar professionals in areas such as solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, electrical systems, or mechanical systems.
- Coordinate or schedule building inspections for solar installation projects.
- Perform start-up of systems for testing or customer implementation.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- Administration and Management
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Monitoring
- Coordination
- Time Management
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Reading Comprehension
- Speaking
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Expression
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Near Vision
- Written Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Information Ordering
- Visualization
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Independence
- Recognition
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Autodesk Revit
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Project
- Microsoft Visio
- Microsoft Windows
Tools & Equipment
- Acetylene torches
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Caulking equipment
- Channel lock pliers
- Charging pumps
- Cordless drills
- Crimping lugs
- Desktop computers
- Diagonal cutting pliers
- Digital multimeters
- Digital refractometers
- Directional compasses
- Drill bit sets
- Extension ladders
Work Environment
- Contact With Others
- Telephone Conversations
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Freedom to Make Decisions
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Solar Energy Installation Managers.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $51,290 |
| Median | $78,690 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $126,690 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 806,080
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
Education: 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)
Median Salary: $51,860
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers
Education: 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)
Median Salary: $78,690
Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $100,070
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $62,970
Construction Managers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $106,980
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.