How to hire a solar installer technician

How to hire a solar installer technician, step by step

Here's a step-by-step solar installer technician 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 installer technician job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new solar installer technician
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your solar installer technician job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a solar installer technician for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect solar installer technician also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of solar installer technicians and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Solar Installer Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Solar Installer Technician	Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers, often called PV installers, assemble, install, or maintain solar panel systems on roofs or other structures.	$13-23
   Installer	Installers are assigned to assemble equipment or fixtures in the client's work or home area. They should have extensive knowledge of the product they will install to ensure it works as intended... Show more	$14-24
   Technician	Technicians are skilled professionals who primarily work with technology in different industries. They are knowledgeable about the technical aspects of the various items they work with... Show more	$11-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Renewable Energy
   • Electrical Equipment
   • Hand Tools
   • Site Assessments
   • OSHA
   • Ladders
   • Solar Power
   • Solar Modules
   • Roofing
   • Solar Panels
   • Wire Management
   • Hot Water
   • PVC
   • Roof Penetrations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
   • Follow OSHA requirements while completing all tasks.
   • Train new hires on installation procedures and OSHA safety requirements.
   • Demonstrate proper use of ladders and safety equipment such as harness and safety rope.
   • Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshot breakdowns and repair malfunctioning HVAC systems and components; utilize measuring and testing instruments.
   • Connect modules in series, grounding each panel with grounding clips.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your solar installer technician job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A solar installer technician salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, solar installer technicians' average salary in florida is 38% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level solar installer technicians earn 41% less than senior-level solar installer technicians.
   • Certifications. A solar installer technician with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a solar installer technician's salary.

   Average solar installer technician salary

   $38,163yearly

   $18.35 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level solar installer technician salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated February 1, 2026

4. Writing a solar installer technician job description

   A solar installer technician 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 installer technician job description:

   Solar installer technician job description example

   SOLAR INSTALLATION TECHNICIAN **$16.50-18 hourly**

   Offering:

   • $16.50-$18 hourly
   • Health - Dental - Vision - 401k after 90 day period
   • Company truck provided

   Hiring Mid-Level - Experienced Solar Installation Technicians

   What We Offer:

   • Opportunity to work at a mission-driven company that is committed to leading the change by using business as a force for good

   • $16.50-18 hour, based on experience

   • Outstanding benefits package (company truck, 401(k), health, dental, vision after 90 day period)

   • Opportunity to bring your passion for sustainability and clean energy to work. Do you believe that sustainable energy is a necessary part of our future and are excited by the prospect of being part of a team dedicated to making that a reality? If so, we want to hear from you! We are seeking a full-time Solar Installation Technician to assist and participate in the physical installation of residential solar roof and ground mounted arrays. This position will consist of minimum, 30-40 hour work weeks.

   What You'll Do In This Job:

   • Carry modules up a ladder

   • Setting up/installing racking system on roof

   • Setting modules to racking

   • Running conduit in attics and crawlspaces

   • Pulling wire in conduit, and more.

   Must Haves:

   • General construction knowledge and/or experience along with the ability to use hand tools (drills, saws, drivers). SOLAR INSTALLATION EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED.

   • Ability to work at high heights with the use of a safety harness, outdoors, in attics and crawlspaces in extreme conditions.

   • Ability to work outside in all weather conditions

   • Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds up and down a ladder

   • Excellent communication and team working skills

   • A four year degree in a relevant electrical/renewable energy field is preferred, but not required.

   • High school diploma is required.

   **Solar Installation Experience is REQUIRED**

   Company Benefits: - 401k - Company truck - Health - Dental - Vision after 90 day period

   We will review resumes as they are received and look forward to hearing from you

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right solar installer technician 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.

   To find solar installer technician candidates, you can consider the following options:

   • Post your job opening on Zippia or other job search websites.
   • Use niche websites that focus on engineering and technology jobs, such as constructionjobs.
   • Post your job on free job posting websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit solar installer technicians, 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 installer technician

   Once you've found the solar installer technician candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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 installer technician. 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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