Occupation · SOC 47-1011.03
Solar Energy Installation Managers
Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.
Median wage
$78,690
$51,290–$126,690
Projected growth
+5.3%
Average growth
Annual openings
4,900
per year
Employed (US)
806,080
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
1,135 mapped
Core skills
Time ManagementMonitoringManagement of Personnel ResourcesCoordinationSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingActive ListeningPersuasionInstructingJudgment and Decision MakingSocial PerceptivenessService OrientationQuality Control AnalysisNegotiationComplex Problem SolvingWritingSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisOperations MonitoringLearning StrategiesActive LearningManagement of Material ResourcesOperation and ControlMathematicsManagement of Financial ResourcesTroubleshootingEquipment SelectionRepairingEquipment MaintenanceOperations AnalysisTechnology DesignScienceInstallationProgramming
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementDesignMechanicalTransportationSales and MarketingMathematicsEducation and TrainingEnglish LanguageEngineering and TechnologyPublic Safety and SecurityComputers and ElectronicsAdministrativePhysicsProduction and ProcessingPersonnel and Human ResourcesCommunications and MediaEconomics and AccountingTelecommunicationsLaw and GovernmentForeign LanguageChemistryPsychologyGeographyMedicine and DentistrySociology and AnthropologyBiologyFood ProductionPhilosophy and TheologyFine ArtsTherapy and CounselingHistory and Archeology
Technology & tools
Autodesk AutoCADAutodesk AutoCAD Civil 3DAutodesk RevitBentley STAADComputer aided design and drafting software CADDCost estimating softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareEsri ArcGISInventory tracking softwareMapping softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft ProjectMicrosoft SharePoint ServerMicrosoft VisioMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordMinitabOracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio ManagementOracle Primavera SystemsPVsystProcore softwarePrologReal time operating system RTOS softwareSAP softwareSalesforce softwareTrimble SketchUp ProWork scheduling software
Representative tasks
Getting InformationEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsHandling and Moving ObjectsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesScheduling Work and ActivitiesOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsTraining and Teaching OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesCoaching and Developing OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentControlling Machines and ProcessesEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersWorking with ComputersThinking CreativelyRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesDocumenting/Recording InformationPerforming Administrative ActivitiesStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesSelling or Influencing OthersAnalyzing Data or InformationAssisting and Caring for Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Solar installation codes and permit requirements — identify and review under direct supervisor guidance on residential job sites.Photovoltaic system components and basic configurations — recognize and label with reference materials during hands-on orientation.Material and equipment checklists — assist in compiling for straightforward residential solar projects under close direction.Safety standards and PPE protocols — follow consistently while supporting installation crews on active job sites.Project schedules and basic timelines — read and track using provided spreadsheet templates under supervisor instruction.Building inspection appointments — assist in coordinating by preparing required documentation as directed by the project manager.Customer service interactions — participate in basic exchanges by relaying information accurately under direct oversight.System start-up procedures — perform initial steps for testing under the direct supervision of a senior technician.Solar industry terminology and technical documentation — read and interpret with guidance to support daily crew activities.CAD and project management software — navigate basic functions to retrieve drawings and task lists as assigned.
developing
PV and solar thermal installation plans — coordinate across multiple residential projects to ensure conformance with local building codes with limited oversight.Installation crew schedules and daily assignments — manage personnel resources to maintain project timelines on residential and small commercial sites.Material, equipment, and labor estimates — prepare for routine solar installation projects using established cost-estimating tools and historical data.Project proposals and budget summaries — draft for residential solar customers using standard templates and company pricing guidelines.Technical troubleshooting guidance — provide to installers and technicians on familiar electrical and mechanical system issues in the field.Building inspections — schedule and coordinate with municipal authorities, preparing site and documentation to meet code compliance milestones.System start-up and commissioning — execute independently for residential PV systems, conducting performance tests and documenting results.Risk and cost reduction opportunities — identify within familiar project scopes by reviewing installation workflows and material usage logs.Subcontractor work quality — monitor against safety and installation standards, documenting deficiencies and escalating as needed.Customer relationship management (CRM) software — use routinely to track project status, customer communications, and follow-up actions.
proficient
PV and solar thermal installation projects — plan and oversee end-to-end across residential and commercial sites, ensuring full code and regulatory conformance autonomously.Cross-functional installation teams and subcontractors — supervise and direct on concurrent projects, enforcing safety compliance and resolving non-routine personnel issues.Complex project estimates — develop for large commercial solar installations, integrating equipment specifications, labor models, and site-specific logistics.Detailed project proposals, quotes, and master schedules — author and present to clients and stakeholders, negotiating scope and pricing independently.Advanced technical assistance — deliver to installers and engineers on non-routine challenges involving electrical systems, inverter configurations, and structural integration.Inspection and permitting workflows — manage across multiple jurisdictions simultaneously, adapting strategies to varying local authority requirements.System commissioning and performance validation — lead for commercial-scale PV and thermal systems, diagnosing anomalies and certifying operational readiness.Efficiency and risk improvement initiatives — identify and implement across the project portfolio by analyzing performance data, incident reports, and cost trends.Quality control analysis — apply systematically to completed installations by conducting site audits and benchmarking against design specifications.Geographic information systems and CAD software — utilize proficiently to evaluate site feasibility, optimize array layouts, and produce regulatory-ready documentation.
advanced
Organizational installation standards and best-practice frameworks — develop and enforce across all regional teams to drive consistent code compliance and quality outcomes.Workforce development programs — design and lead for solar installers, technicians, and junior managers, accelerating competency growth across the organization.Strategic project pipeline and multi-site resource allocation — direct at the organizational level, balancing personnel, equipment, and capital across large commercial portfolios.Company-wide budgeting and financial performance — oversee for the solar installation division, setting targets and holding project managers accountable to margin goals.Executive-level client and partner negotiations — lead for major commercial and utility-scale solar contracts, representing the organization's technical and commercial interests.Regulatory and code-change strategy — monitor emerging local and national solar codes, shaping internal policy updates and advocating with authorities having jurisdiction.Continuous improvement and innovation initiatives — champion at the organizational level by integrating new installation technologies, tools, and processes to increase competitive advantage.Enterprise risk management for solar installation operations — establish protocols that systematically reduce safety incidents, project delays, and financial exposure across all sites.Cross-department coordination among sales, engineering, and operations — orchestrate to ensure seamless handoffs and unified customer experience from proposal through project closeout.Market growth and service expansion strategy — inform by synthesizing field performance data, customer feedback, and industry trends to guide senior leadership decisions.
Also known as
20 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Commercial Field ManagerCommercial Solar SuperintendentCommercial SubcontractorInstallation ManagerPhotovoltaic SubcontractorPiping SupervisorResidential Field ManagerResidential Field SupervisorResidential Remodeling SubcontractorResidential SubcontractorSolar Electrical Project Manager (Solar Electrical PM)Solar Energy Installation ManagerSolar Energy Project Manager (Solar Energy PM)Solar Field SupervisorSolar Installation Crew ForemanSolar Installation Crew SupervisorSolar Installation ManagerSolar Installation SupervisorSolar Project Coordination SpecialistSolar Project Manager (Solar PM)