How to hire a solar power installer

How to hire a solar power installer, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The solar power 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

   A solar power installer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, solar power installers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of solar power installers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Solar Power Installer	Description	Hourly rate
   Solar Power Installer	Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers, often called PV installers, assemble, install, or maintain solar panel systems on roofs or other structures.	$12-25
   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:

   • Rectifiers
   • Solar Power
   • Electrical Equipment
   • RAN
   • Installation Process
   • Construction Sites
   • DIG

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage telecommunications, data and CCTV equipment.
   • Sound knowledge of the DC power and batteries along with chargers and power boards.
   • Dig trenches, install conduit, pull electrical cable, and perform miscellaneous manual labor functions as directed.
   • Drive grind rods into the ground, dig holes with shovel or auger truck for the installation of wood poles.
   • Perform preventative maintenance, troubleshot breakdowns and repair malfunctioning HVAC systems and components; utilize measuring and testing instruments.
   • Deliver and install washer/dryers, refrigerators and dishwashers

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your solar power installer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A solar power installer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, solar power installers' average salary in florida is 35% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level solar power installers 50% less than senior-level solar power installers.
   • Certifications. A solar power installer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a solar power installer's salary.

   Average solar power installer salary

   $37,358yearly

   $17.96 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level solar power installer salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

4. Writing a solar power installer job description

   A good solar power installer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a solar power installer job description:

   Solar power installer job description example

   Network Connex , through our operating companies, Advantage Engineers, CCSI Networks, Fairhaven, National Technologies and Verticom , provides network design and implementation services for some of the world’s most sophisticated networking and data infrastructure companies. Our clients include wireless service providers, network service providers, cable MSO’s, data center operators, hyperscale cloud companies, and Fortune 500 enterprises.

   National Technologies (NTI) Summary:

   National Technologies (NTI) is a premier turn-key provider of fiber optic and data center installation services. Whether it be learning the latest techniques in the field or working with vendors to maximize material performance, NTI is consistently on the leading edge of innovation in the Telecommunications field.

   If being a part of a tight-knit organization that gets to operate in some of the most innovative environments around the world sounds like a dream job, then you should experience the culture at NTI! While providing the typical perks a large company offers, NTI remains true to its roots and at the core of our Company is a family-oriented business that treats our team as integral members of the organization and not just a number. The open door, collaborative nature of NTI allows for professional growth and cultivates the ideas to keep our Company moving into the future of the industry!

   
   

   Job Summary:

   The DC Power Technician is a technician roll that provides DC Power and infrastructure services across multiple platforms. Technical responsibilities include working with a team to install various configurations of DC power including installation, maintenance of primary and secondary DC power systems. Travel may be required. All travel expenses paid, prearranged and booked by the company.

   To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to demonstrate valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.

   Essential Job Functions:

   • Complete DC installation activities with team
   • Complete infrastructure installation activities with team
   • Review, update, augment, and provide job documentation
   • Creating MOP’s, Redline, Close Out Documentation
   • Installing Primary and Secondary Cable
   • Chassis, Reference and Power Grounding
   • Lacing primary and secondary cable
   • Working as a team

   Competencies/Skills:

   • Fundamental knowledge of DC Plants, BDFB, BDCCB, Rectifiers, Inverters
   • Fundamental knowledge of AC / DC Power
   • Fundamental infrastructure knowledge and installation experience
   • Understands and follows standards set in GR_1275 Telcordia
   • Ability to perform Hot Cuts / Hot Slides
   • Understanding of Blueprint/Schematic reading
   • Good written and oral communication skills
   • Rack and stack experience required

   Education and Experience:

   • 1-5 years field technical DC plant experience
   • 1-5 years working with documentation on technical jobs (JSA, JCR, SOW, MOP,)

   Physical Requirements:

   • Must be able to lift 70lbs
   • Must be able to pass drug screening and back-ground check

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find solar power 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 power installers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level solar power 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 power installer job on Zippia to find and recruit solar power installer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with solar power 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.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 power installer

   Once you've found the solar power installer 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.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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