What does a solar panel installer do?
Solar panel installer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real solar panel installer resumes:
- 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.
- Lug and form in all power cable in BDFB.
- Install BDFB's into telecommunication stations from beginning to end
- Track and report repair activities from discovery to resolution including manufacturer's RMA process, freight delivery, and warranty documentation.
Solar panel installer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 14% of Solar Panel Installers are proficient in PV, Hand Tools, and Safety Codes. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Mechanical skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Solar Panel Installers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- PV, 14%
Installed framing, wiring (including wire management) and PV modules for the commercial system.
- Hand Tools, 9%
Measure, cut, and bend wire and conduit using tape measure and hand tools.
- Safety Codes, 7%
Sealed system to protect from weather, using safety codes and manufactured specifications.
- Wire Management, 6%
Installed solar panels, laid conduit pipe, ran wire, and did wire management.
- Electrical Systems, 5%
Operated and tested avionics and electrical systems after all completion of installations.
- Support Mechanisms, 5%
Applied weather sealing to support mechanisms.
"pv," "hand tools," and "safety codes" are among the most common skills that solar panel installers use at work. You can find even more solar panel installer responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a solar panel installer to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what solar panel installers do because "pv installers need to convey information effectively to clients, team members, and other workers." Additionally, a solar panel installer resume shows how solar panel installers use communication skills: "installed communication cable built cable trays for combiner boxes built stubup unistrut structures red rope trained"
Mechanical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling solar panel installer duties is mechanical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "pv installers work with complex electrical and mechanical equipment in order to build support structures for solar panels, connect the panels to the electrical system, and troubleshoot problems." According to a solar panel installer resume, here's how solar panel installers can utilize mechanical skills in their job responsibilities: "assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.mechanical/structural mounting of racking, modules and electrical equipment. "
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for solar panel installers to perform their duties. For an example of how solar panel installer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "pv installers must carefully follow instructions to ensure that the system works properly." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a solar panel installer: "provided detailed documentation on workstation security, build, configuration, and installation processes. ".
Physical strength. A big part of what solar panel installers do relies on "physical strength." You can see how essential it is to solar panel installer responsibilities because "pv installers must lift heavy equipment and materials weighing up to 60 pounds." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical solar panel installer tasks: "facilitated optimal reception by measuring the strength from the pole using various test equipments. "
The three companies that hire the most solar panel installers are:
- Power Home Remodeling11 solar panel installers jobs
- PeopleReady8 solar panel installers jobs
- Cedar Park4 solar panel installers jobs
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Solar panel installer vs. Photovoltaic technician
A solar technician fits solar panels. They read blueprints and schematics to correctly conduct installations. They also troubleshoot equipment issues. This position requires stamina, physical strength, and expertise with power tools.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between solar panel installers and photovoltaic technician. For instance, solar panel installer responsibilities require skills such as "pv," "safety codes," "wire management," and "electrical systems." Whereas a photovoltaic technician is skilled in "safety standards," "ac-dc," "iec," and "battery storage." This is part of what separates the two careers.
On average, photovoltaic technicians reach higher levels of education than solar panel installers. Photovoltaic technicians are 13.1% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Solar panel installer vs. Electro-mechanical solar technician
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. They should also be familiar with handling different tools, especially those that would help them build the product. Installers should be able to walk the client through how to use the product. They should also be able to answer any inquiries that the client may have. Installers should have quick decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and creativity.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that solar panel installer responsibilities requires skills like "hand tools," "safety codes," "wire management," and "electrical equipment." But an electro-mechanical solar technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "electro mechanical," "electronic equipment," "mechanical systems," and "test equipment."
Electro-mechanical solar technicians earn similar levels of education than solar panel installers in general. They're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Solar panel installer vs. Solar technician
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a solar panel installer is likely to be skilled in "safety codes," "solar photovoltaic," "tape measure," and "dig," while a typical solar technician is skilled in "customer service," "renewable energy," "ladders," and "safety standards."
When it comes to education, solar technicians tend to earn similar degree levels compared to solar panel installers. In fact, they're 0.6% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Solar panel installer vs. Installer
Types of solar panel installer
Updated January 8, 2025











