Solar Photovoltaic Installers
SOC: 47-2231.00

Description:

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.

National Salary Information:

Hourly Statistics:

Annual Statistics:

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 wage data.

Employment Projections:

Employment (2014):
5,900 employed

Projected (2024):
7,400 employed

Projected growth (2014-2024)


Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2015 2014-2024 employment projections external site. "Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2014-2024). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.

Alternate Titles:

  • Apprentice
  • Electro-Mechanical Solar Technician
  • Installer
  • Journeyman Electrician PV Installer
  • Lead Installer
  • Photovoltaic Fabrication and Testing Technician (PV Fabrication and Testing Technician)
  • Photovoltaic Fabrication Technician (PV Fabrication Technician)
  • Photovoltaic Installation Technician (PV Installation Technician)
  • Photovoltaic Installer (PV Installer)
  • Photovoltaic Panel Installer (PV Panel Installer)
  • Photovoltaic Technician
  • Photovoltaic Testing Technician (PV Testing Technician)
  • PV Design and Installation Technician
  • PV Design Engineer
  • PV Installer Tech
  • Solar Designer/Installer
  • Solar Electric Installer
  • Solar Electric Practitioner
  • Solar Electric/Photovoltaic Installer (Solar Electric/PV Installer)
  • Solar Energy System Installer
  • Solar Energy Technician
  • Solar Field Service Technician
  • Solar Installation Helper
  • Solar Installer
  • Solar Installer PV
  • Solar Installer Technician
  • Solar Panel Installer
  • Solar Photovoltaic Crew Lead
  • Solar Photovoltaic Installer (Solar PV Installer)
  • Solar Power Installer
  • Solar System Installer
  • Solar Tech
  • Solar Technician

    • Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

    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.

    Education:

    These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

    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.

    Required Skills:

  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Writing
  • Speaking
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Learning Strategies
  • Monitoring
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Coordination
  • Persuasion
  • Negotiation
  • Instructing
  • Service Orientation
  • Complex Problem Solving
  • Operations Analysis
  • Technology Design
  • Equipment Selection
  • Installation
  • Operation Monitoring
  • Operation and Control
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Troubleshooting
  • Repairing
  • Quality Control Analysis
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Systems Analysis
  • Systems Evaluation
  • Time Management
  • Management of Financial Resources
  • Management of Material Resources
  • Management of Personnel Resources

    • Knowledge Used:

  • Administration and Management
  • Clerical
  • Economics and Accounting
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Customer and Personal Service
  • Personnel and Human Resources
  • Production and Processing
  • Computers and Electronics
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Design
  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Psychology
  • Geography
  • Education and Training
  • English Language
  • Foreign Language
  • Public Safety and Security
  • Law and Government
  • Telecommunications
  • Transportation

    • Tasks:

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

    • Tools & Technology:

  • 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
  • Cost estimating software
  • Extensible markup language XML
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft Word
  • Project management software
  • Work scheduling software

    • construction and extraction

    industry stats

    SOC: 47-0000

    Total Employed: 5,477,820

    Average Annual Salary: $47,580