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Solar energy specialist vs alternative energy technician

The differences between solar energy specialists and alternative energy technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a solar energy specialist, becoming an alternative energy technician takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a solar energy specialist has an average salary of $65,454, which is higher than the $58,362 average annual salary of an alternative energy technician.

The top three skills for a solar energy specialist include customer service, renewable energy and utility bills. The most important skills for an alternative energy technician are HVAC, energy efficiency, and renewable energy.

Solar energy specialist vs alternative energy technician overview

Solar Energy SpecialistAlternative Energy Technician
Yearly salary$65,454$58,362
Hourly rate$31.47$28.06
Growth rate4%-
Number of jobs5,4238,084
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Average age4744
Years of experience42

Solar energy specialist vs alternative energy technician salary

Solar energy specialists and alternative energy technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Solar Energy SpecialistAlternative Energy Technician
Average salary$65,454$58,362
Salary rangeBetween $32,000 And $130,000Between $27,000 And $122,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyMeta-
Best paying industryTelecommunication-

Differences between solar energy specialist and alternative energy technician education

There are a few differences between a solar energy specialist and an alternative energy technician in terms of educational background:

Solar Energy SpecialistAlternative Energy Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 42%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford University-

Solar energy specialist vs alternative energy technician demographics

Here are the differences between solar energy specialists' and alternative energy technicians' demographics:

Solar Energy SpecialistAlternative Energy Technician
Average age4744
Gender ratioMale, 72.6% Female, 27.4%Male, 84.1% Female, 15.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 3.9% Unknown, 3.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.2% White, 72.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%Black or African American, 6.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 9.4% Asian, 8.8% White, 70.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage6%11%

Differences between solar energy specialist and alternative energy technician duties and responsibilities

Solar energy specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage retrofit and direct installation projects with a teams of up to six members.
  • Write functional document of intelligent analytic tool to automate report and big data calculation process.
  • Perform numerous energy audits of lighting and HVAC systems in commercial and industrial buildings.
  • Conduct energy audits, recommend energy-efficient lighting and HVAC measures, and write audit reports for school districts and universities.
  • Perform quality assurance inspections to verify energy retrofit installations.
  • Produce impact assessment framework and report that used climate change models to identify system vulnerabilities that can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
  • Show more

Alternative energy technician example responsibilities.

  • Write functional document of intelligent analytic tool to automate report and big data calculation process.
  • Service boilers and various HVAC equipment including forced-air and package units.
  • Produce impact assessment framework and report that used climate change models to identify system vulnerabilities that can lead to catastrophic outcomes.
  • Retrofit lighting in multi-family housing.
  • Educate the community on whole home retrofit financing options.
  • Prepare a comprehensive energy management report containing findings, energy saving solutions and ROI on investment towards energy saving.

Solar energy specialist vs alternative energy technician skills

Common solar energy specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 29%
  • Renewable Energy, 23%
  • Utility Bills, 16%
  • HVAC, 7%
  • Energy Efficiency, 4%
  • Conservation Measures, 3%
Common alternative energy technician skills
  • HVAC, 29%
  • Energy Efficiency, 14%
  • Renewable Energy, 14%
  • Electrical Systems, 12%
  • DOT, 11%
  • System Components, 6%