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Solar panel installer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
Usually, solar panel installers don't need a college education. The most common degree for solar panel installers is high school diploma with 48% graduates, with only 17% solar panel installer graduates earning diploma. Solar panel installers who decided to graduate from college often finish Antelope Valley College or New Mexico State University. Some good skills to have in this position include pv, hand tools and safety codes.

What education do you need to become a solar panel installer?

What degree do you need to be a solar panel installer?

The most common degree for solar panel installers is high school diploma, with 48% of solar panel installers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are diploma degree at 17% and diploma degree at 14%.
  • High School Diploma, 48%
  • Diploma, 17%
  • Associate, 14%
  • Bachelor's, 12%
  • Other Degrees, 9%

What should I major in to become a solar panel installer?

You should major in business to become a solar panel installer. 17% of solar panel installers major in business. Other common majors for a solar panel installer include electrical engineering technology and general studies.

Best majors for solar panel installers

20 best online courses for solar panel installers

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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 beginner to advanced.SolarPV System Design 2023

udemy
4.5
(304)

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

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 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...

8. 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...

9. Renewable Power and Electricity Systems

coursera

The energy revolution in underway. Renewable energy is growing at an astounding pace - notably in electricity. Wind turbines and solar photovoltaic (PV) systems account for most new power plants built worldwide, and are essential to building a low-carbon and sustainable energy future. As a result, there are countless new opportunities in renewable electricity. This course provides a solid grounding in the basics of renewable electricity. We'll start with how electricity is measured, how...

10. 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...

11. 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...

12. Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example and On the Job

udemy
4.4
(524)

The Basic Fundamentals of Home Electrical Wiring, with Wiring Diagrams and Detailed Examples...

13. 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!...

14. 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!...

15. Complete PHP Course With Bootstrap3 CMS System & Admin Panel

udemy
4.2
(1,775)

In this complete course students will learn how to use PHP with Bootstrap3 as well as A CMS System and Admin Panel...

16. 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...

17. The Basics of Household Wiring. The Electrical System A to Z

udemy
4.5
(3,294)

Everything Electricity, from your Circuit (Breaker) Panel, Outlets, Switches, Receptacles, Light Fixtures, Cable, Wire....

18. Construction Site Electrical System Design

udemy
4.6
(454)

Learn how to design a safe, flexible and durable electrical system for any construction site...

19. Passive Solar Design Series - Understanding Sun

udemy
4
(269)

First step to designing passive solar buildings...

20. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind

udemy
4
(924)

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

Average solar panel installer salary by education level

According to our data, solar panel installers with a Associate degree earn the highest average salary, at $40,414 annually. Solar panel installers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $38,914.
Solar panel installer education levelSolar panel installer salary
High School Diploma or Less$37,610
Bachelor's Degree$38,914
Some College/ Associate Degree$40,414

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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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