Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Career Overview

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

• PV Installer (Photovoltaic Installer)
• Solar Installer
• Solar PV Installer (Solar Photovoltaic Installer)
• Solar PV Integrator (Solar Photovoltaic Integrator)

Alternate Job Titles

• Electro-Mechanical Solar Technician (Electro-Mechanical Solar Tech)
• Installation Technician (Installation Tech)
• Installer
• Journeyman Electrician PV Installer (Journeyman Electrician Photovoltaic Installer)
• PV Fabrication and Testing Technician (Photovoltaic Fabrication and Testing Technician)
• PV Fabrication Technician (Photovoltaic Fabrication Technician)
• PV Installation Tech (Photovoltaic Installation Technician)
• PV Installer (Photovoltaic Installer)
• PV Panel Installer (Photovoltaic Panel Installer)
• PV Technician (Photovoltaic Technician)
• PV Testing Technician (Photovoltaic Testing Technician)
• Residential Solar Installer
• Solar Designer
• Solar Electric Installer
• Solar Electric Practitioner

What You'll Do

In this role, your typical responsibilities include:

• Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
• Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.
• Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.
• Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
• Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
• Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
• Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.

Knowledge You'll Use

You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:

• Building and Construction
• Engineering and Technology
• Mechanical
• Design
• Administration and Management
• Customer and Personal Service
• Mathematics
• Public Safety and Security
• Education and Training

Key Abilities

This career requires key abilities in:

• Near Vision
• Problem Sensitivity
• Visualization
• Information Ordering
• Oral Comprehension
• Manual Dexterity
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
• Finger Dexterity
• Deductive Reasoning
• Extent Flexibility

Work Style

People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:

• Dependability
• Attention to Detail
• Cautiousness
• Integrity
• Perseverance

What Matters in This Career

This career tends to satisfy these work values:

• Achievement
• Support
• Working Conditions
• Independence
• Recognition

Education & Preparation

Typical 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)

Related Work Experience Needed: Over 1 year, up to and including 2 years

On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month

Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.

Experience Required: 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.

Technology You'll Use

Popular Technologies & Software

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

Tools & Equipment

• 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

Work Environment

• Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
• Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
• Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
• Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
• Telephone Conversations

Salary & Job Market

Salary Percentile	Annual Wage
Entry-Level (10th percentile)	$39,070
Median	$51,860
Top Earners (90th percentile)	$80,150

Workers Employed Nationally: 28,280

Related Careers

If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:

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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.