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Solar installation manager education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a solar installation manager. Solar installation managers usually study business, management, or communication disorders sciences. 47% of solar installation managers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 29 real solar installation manager resumes to see exactly what solar installation manager education sections show.

The most common colleges for solar installation managers are the Miami Dade College and the Miami Dade College.

There are also many online solar installation manager courses to help get the education required to be a solar installation manager.

What education do you need to become a solar installation manager?

What degree do you need to be a solar installation manager?

The most common degree for solar installation managers is bachelor's degree, with 47% of solar installation managers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 18% and high school diploma degree at 12%.
  • Bachelor's, 47%
  • High School Diploma, 18%
  • Associate, 12%
  • Diploma, 12%
  • Other Degrees, 11%

What should I major in to become a solar installation manager?

You should major in business to become a solar installation manager. 11% of solar installation managers major in business. Other common majors for a solar installation manager include management and communication disorders sciences.

Most common colleges for solar installation managers

Solar installation managers often get their degrees at Miami Dade College, Howard University, and New York University. Here are the most common colleges for solar installation managers in the US based on their resumes.
Solar installation manager common collegePercentages
Miami Dade College10.00%
Howard University10.00%
New York University10.00%
University of Vermont10.00%
Thomas College10.00%

Best majors for solar installation managers

Best colleges for solar installation managers

The best colleges for solar installation managers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St Louis.

A solar installation manager with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for solar installation managers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become solar installation managers.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

5. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

6. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

7. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

8. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

9. University of California - Davis

Davis, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$14,402

Enrollment

30,698

10. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

20 best online courses for solar installation managers

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1. Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors

coursera

This specialization provides an overview of solar photovoltaics (PV), intricacies of solar system design, and a framework for solar PV project management. Targeted for engineers, HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors, it is also appropriate for anyone considering a career in the growing renewable energy field of solar power. Courses introduce how PV operates and the anatomy of solar electric systems, the economics of solar power, pros and cons of different systems,...

2. Solar Energy Codes, Permitting and Zoning

coursera

This course equips learners to identify national code and zoning rules specific to photovoltaic (PV) systems, as well as key design elements and points for inspection. Curriculum includes zoning variances, critical elements of the permitting process, planning documents necessary for PV system installation and recommendations for permitting offices to streamline the permit process. Learners gain a code inspector’s perspective in relation to building and electrical code requirements. This course...

3. The Complete 2022 PV Solar Energy PVsyst, Excel & AutoCAD

udemy
4.1
(1,703)

Your solar Energy guide to design any Grid-tie & Off-grid Photovoltaic Solar Energy with software , layouts & manuals...

4. SOLAR ENERGY Design Course(With SketchUp & PVSYST)-PV system

udemy
4
(1,260)

PV system/Solar Energy deisgn Course. Components, Site survey, Design, SOFTWARES,Pricing ,Technical & finanical Reports...

5. Photovoltaic solar energy

coursera

The course is an introduction to the photovoltaic (PV) applications in the general mix energetic context dominated by climate warming mitigation. The various uses of solar energy are firstly presented before a short description of the principle of the direct solar photon conversion into electricity (PV). The various PV technologies are reviewed in the current context dominated by crystalline silicon cells. The perspectives of the various technologies are then analysed in terms of R&D...

6. The Science of the Solar System

coursera

Learn about the science behind the current exploration of the solar system in this free class. Use principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to understand the latest from Mars, comprehend the outer solar system, ponder planets outside our solar system, and search for habitability in our neighborhood and beyond. This course is generally taught at an advanced level assuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, but the majority of the concepts and lectures can be...

7. Solar Energy beginner to advanced.SolarPV System Design 2023

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4.5
(304)

2023 Learn solar energy, from the components to the design of a Solar PV System. Focused on both technical & commercial...

8. The complete SOLAR ENERGY course. Beginner to advanced level

udemy
4.4
(7,334)

The only online course with everything you need to know on Solar Energy - 2023 Online CERTIFICATE - BEST SELLER!...

9. Physics of silicon solar cells

coursera

The first MOOC “Photovoltaic solar energy” is a general presentation of the solar photovoltaics technologies in the global energetic context, without extensive details. In particular the description of the solar cell operation is restricted to the ideal case In contrast this second MOOC allows a deep understanding of the properties of solar cells based on crystalline semiconductors. It consists in a general presentation of the physics of the photovoltaics devices with a particular emphasize on...

10. Network Installation Fundamentals

coursera

This online course, Network Installation Fundamentals, is your steppingstone to a rewarding career in network technology. By the end of this course, you will be able to understand basic network client management, explain the role of network connection media, and describe the role of virtualization in enterprise networking. Perfect for beginners with no experience, this course provides a comprehensive introduction to network installation, one of the most in-demand skills in the networking field...

11. The Ultimate OFF-GRID Solar Energy Course. Become a Pro 2023

udemy
4.4
(1,553)

Solar Off-Grid certificate: The only SOLAR OFF-GRID course you'll ever need!...

12. SOLAR COURSE for Beginners of Solar Energy-

udemy
4.2
(410)

A perfect course with industry examples, tips, thumb rules& calculations for simplified learning, CERTIFICATECourse 2022...

13. Complete 2023 PV Solar Energy PVSol Premium,Excel,PVsyst

udemy
4.5
(477)

Only online course with everything you need to learn about Solar Energy on grid + off grid using 4 methods from scratch...

14. Complete Solar Energy Design Course From Zero To Hero

udemy
4.5
(2,110)

The Most Comprehensive and Detailed Course on Designing Off-grid, On-grid, and Solar Water Pumping Systems for Beginners...

15. Installing Wordpress - Installation, Registrars & Hosting

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4.7
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Wordpress installation using separate domain registrar and web host, plus why it is essential to set it up that way...

16. Windows Service Programming, Debugging, Installing in C#.Net

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4.3
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Windows Service Tutorial: How to Create Windows Services in C# .Net/Visual Studio, Windows Service debugging techniques...

17. Installing and Configuring Windows Server 2012 (70-410)

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4.5
(802)

Learn how to install, configure, and monitor servers and local storage while preparing for the Microsoft Exam 70-410...

18. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind

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4
(924)

Learn how build a financial model for solar plants and wind plants, and help seal renewable energy deals worldwide!...

19. OFF-GRID Solar Energy Systems: Design and Operation - 2023

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4.6
(1,000)

[HIGHEST RATED] Taught by an Energy Engineer - Online Certificate - The Latest Technologies - Design Examples & Diagrams...

20. Passive Solar Design Series - Understanding Sun

udemy
4
(269)

First step to designing passive solar buildings...

Top 10 most affordable universities for solar installation managers

The most affordable schools for solar installation managers are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and hunter college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for solar installation managers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for solar installation managers.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

4. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for solar installation managers

The hardest universities for solar installation managers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St Louis.

Some great schools for solar installation managers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for solar installation managers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

3. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

9. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

10. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for solar installation managers

The easiest schools for solar installation managers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, notre dame de namur university, and bluefield college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a solar installation manager without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for solar installation managers.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

980

4. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

5. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

6. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

8. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

9. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

10. Ursuline College

Pepper Pike, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,102

Average solar installation manager salary by education level

Solar installation managers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $73,509 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, solar installation managers earn a median annual income of $60,938 compared to $58,294 for solar installation managers with an Associate degree.
Solar installation manager education levelSolar installation manager salary
Master's Degree$73,509
High School Diploma or Less$53,808
Bachelor's Degree$60,938
Some College/ Associate Degree$58,294

Solar installation manager education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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