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
1,136 mapped
Core skills
Time ManagementManagement of Personnel ResourcesMonitoringCoordinationSpeakingReading ComprehensionActive ListeningCritical Thinking
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementDesignMechanical
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareProject management softwareCustomer relationship management CRM softwareGeographic information systemInventory management software
Representative tasks
Plan and coordinate installations of photovoltaic (PV) solar and solar thermal systems to ensure conSupervise solar installers, technicians, and subcontractors for solar installation projects to ensurEstimate materials, equipment, and personnel needed for residential or commercial solar installation
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
21 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Solar Energy Project Manager (Solar Energy PM)Solar Installation ManagerSolar Project Coordination SpecialistSolar Installation SupervisorCommercial Field ManagerSolar Installation Crew ForemanSolar Project Manager (Solar PM)Solar Energy Installation ManagerSolar Electrical Project Manager (Solar Electrical PM)Residential Field ManagerCommercial Solar SuperintendentSolar Field SupervisorResidential SubcontractorCommercial SubcontractorResidential Field SupervisorPiping SupervisorInstallation ManagerSolar Installation Crew SupervisorPhotovoltaic SubcontractorResidential Remodeling SubcontractorSupervisor, Air-Conditioning Installer