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What does a solar photovoltaic electrician do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
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Solar photovoltaic electrician responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real solar photovoltaic electrician resumes:

  • Run wiring and connect DC current leads.
  • Remove, analyze, identify issue install properly working pressure transducers, effectively accomplishing priorities to go underway.
  • Set dc combiner boxes and run and connect the correct wires in the box.
  • Lead a group of workers to install roofing, solar panels, solar shingles, and repairs.
  • Install conduit to roof for DC lines from array to inverter.
  • Determine the best alignment spacing on roofing for contractor's purchasing.
  • Set the invertor and run wire to the correct location in the invertor.
  • Perform inverter programming and QC tasks on systems prior deployment and making corrections as needed.
  • Do any and all electrical works need to connect the solar system to electric grid.
  • Update the site superintendent if the PV system is not setup correctly before the end of the construction.
  • Perform schedule and preventative maintenance on utility and commercial PV systems.
  • Maintain major electrical systems including generators, transformers, switchboards, controllers and other key transmission equipment.
  • Install VFD motors and controls.
  • Upgrade brake resistors for say VFD upgrade corresponding software, commission in the field.
  • Cost estimating of electrical material such as cable wire, pvc pipe conduit, mcb and other electrical material need.

Solar photovoltaic electrician skills and personality traits

We calculated that 23% of Solar Photovoltaic Electricians are proficient in Electrical Systems, Electrical Components, and NEC. They’re also known for soft skills such as Color vision, Troubleshooting skills, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Solar Photovoltaic Electricians that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Electrical Systems, 23%

    Maintained, repaired, tested and calibrated electrical systems including power generation, electrical distribution, electrical controls and equipment.

  • Electrical Components, 23%

    Fastened fixtures, wires, electrical components and solar racking systems for solar arrays on existing homes.

  • NEC, 20%

    Supervised small construction teams in the installation of electrical hardware and associated components according to NEC guidelines for residential new construction.

  • Service Calls, 12%

    Perform emergency service calls on daily basis providing wide variety of electrical services including repair, replacing, and preventative maintenance.

  • Trouble Shoot, 5%

    Network and electrical trouble shooting skills.

  • Solar Installation, 4%

    Weatherproof the solar installation in accordance with local safety regulations and the specifications of the manufacturer.

Common skills that a solar photovoltaic electrician uses to do their job include "electrical systems," "electrical components," and "nec." You can find details on the most important solar photovoltaic electrician responsibilities below.

Color vision. The most essential soft skill for a solar photovoltaic electrician to carry out their responsibilities is color vision. This skill is important for the role because "electricians must identify electrical wires by color." Additionally, a solar photovoltaic electrician resume shows how their duties depend on color vision: "work with controls division installing control panel (plc) for coca cola inc. family dollar, etc. "

Troubleshooting skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling solar photovoltaic electrician duties is troubleshooting skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "electricians find, diagnose, and repair problems." According to a solar photovoltaic electrician resume, here's how solar photovoltaic electricians can utilize troubleshooting skills in their job responsibilities: "experience in megger testing, i-v curve testing as well as troubleshooting both ac and dc. "

Physical strength. For certain solar photovoltaic electrician responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a solar photovoltaic electrician rely on this skill, as "electricians need to be strong enough to move heavy components, which may weigh up to 50 pounds." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what solar photovoltaic electricians do: "provided industrial electrical maintenance, maintaining physical plant and equipment. "

All solar photovoltaic electrician skills

Choose from 10+ customizable solar photovoltaic electrician resume templates

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Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume
Solar Photovoltaic Electrician Resume

Compare different solar photovoltaic electricians

Solar photovoltaic electrician vs. Journeyman wireman

An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures. An apprentice must be detail-oriented, fast-learner, and enthusiastic. An apprentice should also know how to accept constructive criticisms and feedback to improve performance and skill development.

If we compare the average solar photovoltaic electrician annual salary with that of a journeyman wireman, we find that journeyman wiremen typically earn a $26,154 lower salary than solar photovoltaic electricians make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both solar photovoltaic electrician and journeyman wireman positions are skilled in electrical systems, electrical components, and nec.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, solar photovoltaic electrician responsibilities require skills like "service calls," "trouble shoot," "solar installation," and "hand tools." Meanwhile a typical journeyman wireman has skills in areas such as "transformers," "circuit breakers," "switches," and "safety systems." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

On average, journeyman wiremen reach similar levels of education than solar photovoltaic electricians. Journeyman wiremen are 1.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Solar photovoltaic electrician vs. Wireman

Wiring technicians install and conduct maintenance on wiring in electronic products. They are responsible for ensuring that machines are in working condition, and they continuously review products to ensure only good products are released to customers. They must have the ability to understand wiring schematics.

A career as a wireman brings a lower average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a solar photovoltaic electrician. In fact, wiremen salary is $29,872 lower than the salary of solar photovoltaic electricians per year.A few skills overlap for solar photovoltaic electricians and wiremen. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "electrical systems," "electrical components," and "nec. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real solar photovoltaic electrician resumes. While solar photovoltaic electrician responsibilities can utilize skills like "trouble shoot," "solar installation," "solar power," and "qc," wiremen use skills like "work ethic," "electrical conduit," "switches," and "transformers."

Average education levels between the two professions vary. Wiremen tend to reach similar levels of education than solar photovoltaic electricians. In fact, they're 1.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Solar photovoltaic electrician vs. Apprentice

An average apprentice eans a lower salary compared to the average salary of solar photovoltaic electricians. The difference in salaries amounts to apprentices earning a $24,572 lower average salary than solar photovoltaic electricians.solar photovoltaic electricians and apprentices both have job responsibilities that require similar skill sets. These similarities include skills such as "electrical systems," "nec," and "service calls," but they differ when it comes to other required skills.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from solar photovoltaic electrician resumes include skills like "electrical components," "trouble shoot," "solar installation," and "hand tools," whereas an apprentice is more likely to list skills in "pet," "customer service," "basic math," and "apprenticeship. "

Apprentices make a very good living in the transportation industry with an average annual salary of $44,876. On the other hand, solar photovoltaic electricians are paid the highest salary in the utilities industry, with average annual pay of $61,291.Most apprentices achieve a similar degree level compared to solar photovoltaic electricians. For example, they're 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Solar photovoltaic electrician vs. Wiring technician

Wiring technicians average a lower salary than the annual salary of solar photovoltaic electricians. The difference is about $23,543 per year.While their salaries may vary, solar photovoltaic electricians and wiring technicians both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "electrical systems," "electrical components," and "hand tools. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "nec," "service calls," "trouble shoot," and "solar installation" are skills that commonly show up on solar photovoltaic electrician resumes. On the other hand, wiring technicians use skills like safety procedures, control panels, fiber optic, and wire harnesses on their resumes.wiring technicians enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $42,662. For comparison, solar photovoltaic electricians earn the highest salary in the utilities industry.In general, wiring technicians hold similar degree levels compared to solar photovoltaic electricians. Wiring technicians are 0.2% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of solar photovoltaic electrician

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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