Occupation · SOC 47-2231
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
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.
Median wage
$51,860
$39,070–$80,150
Projected growth
+42.0%
Faster than average
Annual openings
1,200
per year
Employed (US)
28,280
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
21 mapped
Core skills
InstallationCritical ThinkingActive ListeningQuality Control AnalysisJudgment and Decision MakingMonitoringOperations MonitoringReading Comprehension
Knowledge areas
Building and ConstructionEngineering and TechnologyMechanicalDesignAdministration and Management
Technology & tools
Computer aided design CAD softwareProject management softwareEnterprise application integration softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematicsCheck electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installatio
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
PV system drawings and schematics — read and interpret under direct supervision before beginning installation tasks on a residential job site.Safety hazards associated with PV installations — identify and report electrical, environmental, and fall risks while working alongside an experienced installer.Solar modules and support structures — assemble according to manufacturer specifications under close guidance on a rooftop installation crew.Required labels on solar system components and hardware — apply correctly following a supervisor-provided checklist on a residential PV job.Basic hand tools and mounting hardware — select and use under direction to secure racking systems on a residential rooftop.Weather sealing materials — apply to roof penetrations and array mounting points following step-by-step instructions from a lead installer.Module array interconnect wiring — assist with installation while following supervisor-directed procedures to disable arrays during the process.Electrical polarity and grounding concepts — recognize and verify using basic test instruments under direct oversight on a job site.Installation locations on a structure — observe and document orientation, shading, and structural factors as directed by a crew lead.Applicable codes and installation standards — follow written instructions and checklists to complete assigned tasks in compliance with local requirements.
developing
PV system components and module arrays — install according to schematics and drawings with minimal oversight on standard residential rooftop projects.Electrical wiring, polarity, grounding, and termination integrity — check and verify routinely using multimeters and test instruments on completed installations.Environmental and structural site conditions — evaluate installation locations for proper solar access, roof orientation, and load-bearing capacity on familiar building types.Roof penetrations and array mounting points — apply weather sealing independently and inspect for quality before project sign-off on residential systems.Module array interconnect wiring — install and manage array disable procedures without direct oversight on routine grid-tied residential installations.Solar panel support structures and racking systems — assemble and secure to manufacturer and code specifications across a range of common roof types.Safety protocols and personal protective equipment — select and apply consistently when working at height and with live electrical systems on PV job sites.Installation quality control checks — conduct systematically after completing each phase of work to catch defects before final inspection on a residential site.Labeled system components and hardware documentation — complete and organize for permit inspection packages on residential and small commercial PV projects.Time and task sequencing — coordinate personal workflow to meet daily production targets as part of a two- to four-person residential installation crew.
proficient
Full-scope PV system installations — execute autonomously from site prep through final electrical connection in compliance with NEC and local codes on residential and light commercial projects.Non-routine electrical faults and wiring anomalies — diagnose and resolve using systematic troubleshooting methods without supervisory guidance on active job sites.Complex installation locations — assess structural integrity, shading obstructions, and optimal array orientation on non-standard rooftops and ground-mount sites to maximize system performance.Quality control analyses — perform comprehensive inspections of wiring, grounding, sealing, and labeling across all installation phases to ensure code compliance and long-term reliability.CAD drawings and system schematics — interpret and adapt in the field when site conditions require deviation from original design on residential and small commercial builds.Module interconnect wiring and combiner configurations — install and verify for complex multi-string arrays while maintaining safe array disable procedures throughout the process.Environmental and safety risk assessments — conduct independently for each new job site and implement corrective measures before crews begin rooftop or electrical work.Permit documentation and inspection readiness — prepare complete labeling, single-line diagrams, and code compliance records for local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) review.Customer and site-owner communication — explain system components, installation progress, and operational basics clearly to homeowners and facility managers on the job site.Crew coordination and on-site problem solving — guide day-to-day task sequencing and resolve unforeseen installation challenges to keep projects on schedule and within scope.
advanced
Installation standards and best-practice protocols — develop and enforce company-wide procedures for PV system installation quality and code compliance across multiple residential and commercial project sites.Crew training programs — design and deliver hands-on instruction covering electrical safety, system assembly, weather sealing, and code requirements for new and developing installers.Site-level risk management plans — author and implement comprehensive safety and hazard mitigation frameworks for all active PV installation projects in a regional portfolio.Project scheduling and resource allocation — direct workforce deployment, equipment logistics, and subcontractor coordination across concurrent installation projects using project management software.Complex non-routine technical problems — lead root-cause analysis and resolution for system failures, inspection rejections, or structural challenges that exceed crew-level expertise.Quality assurance systems — establish inspection benchmarks, audit completed installations, and drive continuous improvement in workmanship standards across an installation organization.Stakeholder and customer relationships — manage expectations of homeowners, general contractors, utilities, and AHJs throughout the project lifecycle to ensure satisfaction and compliance.Code and regulatory changes — monitor updates to NEC, local building codes, and utility interconnection requirements and translate them into updated crew training and installation procedures.Organizational performance metrics — analyze productivity, defect rates, and project completion data using spreadsheet and enterprise software to inform operational decisions at company scale.Emerging PV technologies and installation methods — evaluate new products, racking systems, and monitoring solutions and lead adoption decisions that improve efficiency and competitiveness for the organization.
Also known as
30 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Electro-Mechanical Solar Technician (Electro-Mechanical Solar Tech)Installation Technician (Installation Tech)InstallerJourneyman 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 InstallerSolar DesignerSolar Electric InstallerSolar Electric PractitionerSolar ElectricianSolar Energy System InstallerSolar Energy Technician (Solar Energy Tech)Solar Field Service Technician (Solar Field Service Tech)Solar InstallerSolar Panel Installation Technician (Solar Panel Installation Tech)Solar Panel InstallerSolar Power InstallerSolar PV Installer (Solar Photovoltaic Installer)Solar PV Integrator (Solar Photovoltaic Integrator)Solar Service Technician (Solar Service Tech)Solar Site Technician (Solar Site Tech)Solar System InstallerSolar Technician (Solar Tech)Utility Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Technician