Career Overview
Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.
Also Known As
- Installer
- Solar Installer
- Solar Maintenance Technician
- Solar Technician
Alternate Job Titles
- Heat Exchanger
- Installer
- Solar Boilers Technician
- Solar Energy Technician
- Solar Hot Water Installer (SHW Installer)
- Solar Installation Technician
- Solar Installer
- Solar Insulation Technician
- Solar Maintenance Technician
- Solar Pool Heating Installer
- Solar Power Installer
- Solar System Installer
- Solar Technician
- Solar Thermal Installer
- Solar Thermal Technician
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
- Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
- Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
- Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
- Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.
- Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners.
- Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Mechanical
- Building and Construction
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
- Engineering and Technology
- Education and Training
- Design
- Public Safety and Security
- Computers and Electronics
- Production and Processing
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Installation
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Oral Comprehension
- Speech Recognition
- Near Vision
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Extent Flexibility
- Written Comprehension
- Flexibility of Closure
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Relationships
- Independence
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
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
- Adobe Photoshop
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
- Microsoft Word
- Oracle Java
Tools & Equipment
- Acetylene torches
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Caulking equipment
- Channel lock pliers
- Charging pumps
- Claw hammers
- Cordless drills
- Crimping lugs
- Desktop computers
- Diagonal cutting pliers
- Digital multimeters
- Digital refractometers
- Directional compasses
- Drill bit sets
Work Environment
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Time Pressure
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $40,670 |
| Median | $62,970 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $105,150 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 455,940
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
Solar Energy Systems Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $117,750
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and 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: $59,810
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,680
Solar Energy Installation Managers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $78,690
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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.