How to hire a solar panel installer

How to hire a solar panel installer, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The solar panel installer 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 panel installer 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 panel installer that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of solar panel installers.

   Type of Solar Panel Installer	Description	Hourly rate
   Solar Panel Installer	Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers, often called PV installers, assemble, install, or maintain solar panel systems on roofs or other structures.	$13-23
   Solar Technician	A solar technician fits solar panels. They read blueprints and schematics to correctly conduct installations... Show more	$14-26
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • PV
   • Hand Tools
   • Safety Codes
   • Wire Management
   • Electrical Systems
   • Support Mechanisms
   • Electrical Installation
   • Electrical Equipment
   • Solar Modules
   • Site Assessments
   • Support Structures
   • RAN
   • PVC
   • QC

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
   • Perform electrical tasks such circut current readings, wiring, tubing using pvc or metalconduit.
   • Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshot breakdowns and repair malfunctioning HVAC systems and components; utilize measuring and testing instruments.
   • Cooper, galvanize, and line set piping installation, maintenance and repair.
   • Rewire and redevise house and facilities.
   • Install two strings Tyco jell cell batteries with disconnect switch on top of the batteries.

   More solar panel installer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the solar panel installer job description is a good way to get more applicants. A solar panel installer salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a solar panel installer in Oklahoma may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level solar panel installer. Additionally, a solar panel installer with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average solar panel installer salary

   $37,985yearly

   $18.26 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level solar panel installer salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 31, 2025

   Average solar panel installer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$43,858	$21
   2	Minnesota	$43,615	$21
   3	Nevada	$43,521	$21
   4	Arizona	$42,132	$20
   5	Virginia	$41,467	$20
   6	Utah	$41,201	$20
   7	Wisconsin	$40,447	$19
   8	New York	$39,420	$19
   9	Oregon	$38,171	$18
   10	New Jersey	$38,040	$18
   11	Kansas	$37,868	$18
   12	South Carolina	$36,079	$17
   13	Texas	$32,245	$16
   14	Florida	$27,590	$13

   Average solar panel installer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Black & Veatch	$45,412	$21.83
   2	GPAC	$40,865	$19.65
   3	Aerotek	$35,811	$17.22	42
   4	Adecco	$35,162	$16.90	3
   5	PeopleReady	$34,817	$16.74	7
   6	Express Employment Indy South	$34,294	$16.49	4
   7	ManpowerGroup	$33,981	$16.34	4

4. Writing a solar panel installer job description

   A solar panel installer 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a solar panel installer job description:

   Solar panel installer job description example

   PeopleReady of Simsbury, CT is now hiring Solar Panel Installers!
   
   Apply today and you could start as soon as tomorrow. No resume or interview required – yep, you read that right.
   
   As a PeopleReady associate you'll benefit from:
   
   * The freedom to work where you want, when you want and as often as you want.
   
   * Next-day pay* for many of our open positions.
   
   * The ability to choose long-term positions for steady work or short-term positions if you just want some extra cash.
   
   * The ability to sign up jobs right from our mobile app, JobStack!
   
   Pay Rate:
   
   The pay rate for this job is $23 / hour
   
   What you'll be doing as a Solar Panel Installer:
   
   * Measuring and marking of Post Installation location points and layout of steel posts.
   
   * Cutting, and hole punch of steel posts.
   
   * Assistance with spotting/signaling/directing of large Post Installation Machines and Forklifts.
   
   * Steel Post Remediation requiring the use of various heavy tools to twist/move posts into position and cut and punch holes through steel.
   
   * Staging of heavy materials such as large steel beams, torque tubes, boxes of steel nuts, bolts and steel framing assembly pieces.
   
   * Assembly of framing system mounts/rails using power tools and various types of nuts, bolts, bearings, clamps and other assembly tools.
   
   * Solar Panel Installation - positioning, bolting, and securing of panels onto mounts and rails using general and power tools.
   
   Available shifts:
   
   Shift Timings - 1st Shift (Day)
   
   Job requirements:
   
   * Ability to work outdoors in various weather conditions.
   
   * Have full range of mobility in upper and lower body.
   
   * Be able to work in various positions, including, but not limited to, stooping, standing, bending over, sitting, kneeling and squatting for extended periods of time.
   
   * Be able to lift, pull and push materials and equipment to complete assigned job tasks.
   
   * Be able to lift 50 pounds of weight frequently throughout the assigned workday.
   
   * Background Check and Drug test required
   
   Ready to take control of the way you work?
   
   Complete our application to join the PeopleReady team today. In case you missed it, no resumes or interviews are required!
   
   \#TIER2
   
   PeopleReady is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religious affiliation, color, national origin, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by law. We will get to know you and connect you with jobs that match your skills, experience and preferences. We work hard every single day to find jobs so each employee has opportunity and variety in their work.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find solar panel installers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any solar panel installers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level solar panel installers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with solar panel installer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 panel installer

   Once you've decided on a perfect solar panel installer candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your 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.

   To prepare for the new solar panel installer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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