Installation of solar panels may require the help of roofers and electricians. PV installers may work alone or as part of a team. PV installers who build solar farms work at ground level. Residential installers work on rooftops but also sometimes work in attics and crawl spaces to connect panels to the electrical grid. Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractorsīecause photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight into electricity, most PV installation is done outdoors. The largest employers of solar photovoltaic installers were as follows: Electrical contractors and other wiring installation contractors Solar photovoltaic installers held about 11,800 jobs in 2020. Some photovoltaic installers place thin solar film on rooftops. Once the panels are set up, workers check the electrical systems for proper wiring, polarity, and grounding, and they also perform maintenance as needed. PV installers use a variety of handtools and power tools, including drills, wrenches, saws, and screwdrivers, to set up PV panels and connect them to frames, wires, and support structures.ĭepending on the job and state laws, PV installers may connect the solar panels to the electrical grid, although electricians sometimes do this task. After the system is in place, PV installers must test the system and its components.
Once the panels are in place, they sometimes connect the panels to electrical components. PV installers set up new systems on support structures and place PV panels or PV shingles on top of them. For PV systems on flat roofs, PV installers must first add a structure that allows the PV system to be mounted at an angle. Apply weather sealant to equipment being installedĪt the jobsite, PV installers verify the measurements and design of the structure on which the PV system is being set up.Connect PV panels to the electrical system.
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Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.Įxplore resources for employment and wages by state and area for solar photovoltaic installers. Job OutlookĮmployment of solar photovoltaic installers is projected to grow 52 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations.Ībout 2,300 openings for solar photovoltaic installers are projected each year, on average, over the decade. The median annual wage for solar photovoltaic installers was $47,670 in May 2021. Installers typically receive on-the-job training lasting up to 1 year.
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How to Become a Solar Photovoltaic InstallerĪlthough installers typically need a high school diploma, some take courses at a technical school or community college. Most solar panel installations are done outdoors, but PV installers sometimes work in attics and crawl spaces to connect panels to the electrical grid. Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers assemble, set up, and maintain rooftop or other systems that convert sunlight into energy. Quick Facts: Solar Photovoltaic Installers Please enable javascript to play this video.