How to hire a solar installation manager

How to hire a solar installation manager, step by step

Here's a step-by-step solar installation manager hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a solar installation manager job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new solar installation manager
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The solar installation manager hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a solar installation manager to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a solar installation manager that fits the bill.

   This list presents solar installation manager salaries for various positions.

   Type of Solar Installation Manager	Description	Hourly rate
   Solar Installation Manager		$13-50
   Installation Manager	An installation manager is primarily in charge of overseeing a company's installation projects, ensuring efficiency and timeliness. It is their duty to set goals and objectives, manage budgets and schedules, liaise with clients to identify their needs and preferences, and develop strategies to optimize installation processes, prioritizing customer satisfaction... Show more	$23-49

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • PV

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage HVAC, plumbing, refrigeration, and refrigeration prefabrication services in the mechanical construction department.
   • Demonstrate ability to troubleshoot creatively, solve problems effectively, and make inform decisions while successfully guiding others through constant change.
   • Determine and execute FY budgets, manning, and resources need to meet mission objectives.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your solar installation manager job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A solar installation manager can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, solar installation managers' average salary in wyoming is 38% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level solar installation managers 73% less than senior-level solar installation managers.
   • Certifications. A solar installation manager with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a solar installation manager's salary.

   Average solar installation manager salary

   $54,684yearly

   $26.29 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level solar installation manager salary

   $28,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 23, 2025

4. Writing a solar installation manager job description

   A solar installation manager job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a solar installation manager job description:

   Solar installation manager job description example

   The Origination Manager will identify opportunities to develop distributed solar and energy storage projects, ranging in size from 500kW to 5MW. The candidate will establish and grow origination channels and form relationships with businesses and landowners, growing the pipeline of sites for development.

   
   

   Project development is multidisciplinary, bringing together many key aspects of the renewable energy industry. The ideal candidate will be familiar with evaluating land parcels and rooftop opportunities, establishing communication with land and building owners, and negotiating to secure land/roof rights.

   
   

   Duties and Responsibilities:

   • Develop and execute strategy for origination, qualification, and securing site control of land parcels and roof leases in the region
   • Collaborate closely with the development team to target priority geographies and evaluate site feasibility
   • Engage with land and building owners to negotiate and execute options to lease or purchase
   • Form and maintain relationships with stakeholders including landowners, utilities, and other authorities

   
   

   Qualifications:

   • 2+ years of experience in a role with transferrable knowledge and skills (renewable energy, corporate partnerships, real estate, land leasing, etc.)
   • Demonstrated business acumen, including relationship building and negotiating
   • Ability to analyze information, interpret data, and solve practical problems
   • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbally and in writing
   • Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to prioritize workload
   • Self-starter who likes to consistently meet and exceed targets
   • Experience with MS Office, utilizing CRMs, shared folder drives, and similar tools
   • Preference for candidates who have prior experience working in renewable energy, real estate, or both
   • Willingness to travel within the region as required

   
   

   Benefits and Compensation:

   • Competitive salary, bonuses and commissions
   • High quality health, dental, and vision insurance with options to enroll in a FSA and/or HSA
   • Ability to work remotely
   • Generous PTO policy
   • Smart, collaborative, and fun team making a tangible impact on our transition to the clean energy future and health of our planet

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right solar installation manager for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your solar installation manager job on Zippia to find and recruit solar installation manager candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit solar installation managers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new solar installation manager

   Once you've selected the best solar installation manager candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new solar installation manager. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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