Solar Installer job description: duties, skills and qualifications.

Core duties

16

O*NET task statements

Preparation

Job Zone 1-2 of 5

very little to some preparation

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

BLS 2025–35

Median pay

$53,140

BLS May 2025

Data Government data groups this job as Solar Photovoltaic Installers (O*NET-SOC 47-2231.00). Figures on this page are for that occupation.

1. Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions. importance 4.6 of 5
2. Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations. importance 4.6 of 5
3. Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations. importance 4.5 of 5
4. Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays. importance 4.5 of 5
5. Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified. importance 4.5 of 5
6. Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms. importance 4.4 of 5
7. Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation. importance 4.4 of 5
8. Install required labels on solar system components and hardware. importance 4.4 of 5
9. Diagram layouts and locations for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and equipment, including existing building or site features. importance 4.4 of 5
10. Determine materials, equipment, and installation sequences necessary to maximize installation efficiency. importance 4.3 of 5
11. Test operating voltages to ensure operation within acceptable limits for power conditioning equipment, such as inverters and controllers. importance 4.3 of 5
12. Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment. importance 4.3 of 5
13. Activate photovoltaic (PV) systems to verify system functionality and conformity to performance expectations. importance 4.3 of 5
14. Identify and resolve any deficiencies in photovoltaic (PV) system installation or materials. importance 4.2 of 5
15. Visually inspect and test photovoltaic (PV) modules or systems. importance 4.2 of 5
16. Examine designs to determine current requirements for all parts of the photovoltaic (PV) system electrical circuit. importance 4.2 of 5

Work activities O*NET rates most important here: Performing General Physical Activities, Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials, Handling and Moving Objects, Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment and Getting Information.

Also part of the job

Supplemental tasks O*NET lists for this occupation: less central than the core duties above, and not done in every job.

• Install active solar systems, including solar collectors, concentrators, pumps, or fans.

Knowledge areas: Building and Construction, Engineering and Technology, Mechanical, Design and Administration and Management.

Software O*NET lists for this occupation: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Extensible markup language XML, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Salesforce software. These are examples O*NET records for the job, not a list of tools every employer uses or a checklist of what you must know.

• Education: BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education.
• Experience: BLS lists no work experience in a related occupation as typical to enter.
• Training on the job: BLS lists moderate-term on-the-job training as typical once hired.
• Preparation: O*NET places the job in Job Zone 1-2 of 5 (very little to some preparation). Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience.
• Licenses and certifications: not listed here. A license is a legal requirement set by a state; a certification is a credential from a private or professional body. Rules vary by state and employer, and a missing entry on this page does not mean none is required: check with your state's licensing board and see how to become a solar installer.

The most common answer among solar installers surveyed by O*NET is a post-secondary certificate (37%).

Job title: Solar Installer
[Company] · [City, State] · [Full-time or part-time] · [Pay range, where your state requires one]

About the role
[Company] is hiring a Solar Installer to assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics.
[One sentence on your team and why this role matters.]

What you will do
- Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
- Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.
- 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.
- Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
- Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
- Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.
- Install required labels on solar system components and hardware.

What we are looking for
- [Education: BLS lists a high school diploma or equivalent as typical for this occupation; set the level this role truly needs]
- [Experience: BLS lists no related work experience as typical to enter; set what this role needs]
- Strength in installation, critical thinking and operations monitoring
- Working knowledge of Building and Construction and Engineering and Technology
- [Software your team uses, e.g. Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Office software]
- [Any license or certification your state or company requires]

[Schedule, benefits and how to apply]

Illustrative: every name, employer, school, date and number in these samples is fictional or a bracketed placeholder. Replace each bracket with your own true details; never copy a result you did not achieve.

Not a real job posting. This template is TryHired's illustration built from government occupational data. It is not an opening at any employer, and no employer wrote it.

The median annual wage was $53,140 in May 2025. The median hourly wage was $25.55. BLS estimates about 31,350 jobs in this occupation in the U.S.

BLS projects employment of Solar Photovoltaic Installers to grow 36.5% from 2025 to 2035, with about 4,200 openings a year over that period, including openings to replace workers who leave.

See the full solar installer salary breakdown by percentile, state and metro.

• Read a real solar installer posting next to the core duties above. Duties it repeats, such as “Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and…”, tell you what that employer weighs most; anything it adds is specific to that team.
• Tailor your resume to the posting, not to this page: describe only solar installer work you have actually done, with your own results.
• Prepare a story for each of the top-rated skills (installation and critical thinking).