HVAC Solar / Renewable Energy Technician

AT A GLANCE

$41,600-$79,970

High School Diploma

National pay range for solar photovoltaic installers, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Typical entry-level education required

+37% Growth

Outdoor Work

Much faster than average job growth through 2035, BLS

Most installs happen on rooftops, in all weather conditions

The Real Work

Getting a solar array mounted, wired, and producing power correctly is the actual job, start to finish.

• Mount racking and solar panels on a roof, working to exact spacing and angle specifications

• Wire panels in series or parallel strings, then connect them to the inverter system

• Test panel output with a solar irradiance meter to confirm each string is producing to spec

• Read a site survey to determine panel placement that avoids shading and maximizes output

• Coordinate with the utility on interconnection paperwork before a system goes live

• Troubleshoot an underperforming array, tracing the loss back to a bad panel, connection, or inverter fault

Know Yourself

Mounting and wiring an array that has to perform for twenty-five years takes real precision under real sun and heat.

• Comfortable working on rooftops for extended periods, often in direct sun

• Detail-oriented, a wiring mistake on a string of panels costs real production output

• Mechanically confident with racking systems, torque specs, and mounting hardware

• Comfortable with basic electrical work, connecting panels to inverters safely

• Physically capable, panels are heavy and rooftop access adds real difficulty

• Genuinely interested in renewable energy technology as it keeps evolving

A Real Workday

What does solar installation actually look like day to day? Here's a real look.

The crew starts by unloading racking and panels at a home getting a full rooftop array, checking the site survey against the actual roof before mounting the first rail. Is solar installation the same trade as being an electrician? Related, but not identical, you're doing real electrical wiring connecting panels to the inverter, though a licensed electrician typically handles the final utility interconnection. Most of the morning goes to mounting panels at the exact spacing the design called for, then running string wiring between them cleanly enough that nothing's exposed to weather. Midday brings a solar irradiance meter test, confirming each string's actually producing the output the design promised before you call the job done. By afternoon, you're troubleshooting a different customer's underperforming system, tracing a production drop back to a single panel with a failed connection rather than the whole array. Some days are a full install from bare roof to finished array. Others are diagnostic work on an existing system. Either way, the array you're working on today should be quietly generating power for the next couple decades.

The Gear

This is the equipment you'll actually be using day to day.

Multimeter

Racking & Mounting Hardware

Conduit Bender

Fall Protection Gear

Tests voltage, continuity, and system performance.

Secures panels safely to rooftops or ground systems.

Shapes conduit to route wiring cleanly and to code.

Harnesses and anchors keep you safe working at heights.

Solar Irradiance Meter

Torque Wrench

Inverter Testing Equipment

Measures sunlight exposure to confirm system performance.

Ensures racking and hardware are secured to spec.

Confirms a system is converting and delivering power correctly.

Get Started

Here's where to actually begin.

Complete OSHA Safety Training

Pursue NABCEP Certification

Explore Testing & Certs

A must before working at heights on any job site.

The industry's most recognized solar credential.

See every certification path Advancing the Trades offers.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Do I need an electrical license?

Is this seasonal work?

Not always to start, but one can boost your pay and open up crew lead roles.

Demand exists year-round, though weather can affect scheduling in some regions.

Is this safe working at heights?

Can this lead into other roles?

With proper training and fall protection, yes, safety protocols are taken seriously industry-wide.

Yes, experienced installers often move into crew lead, sales, or system design roles.

Keep Exploring

Ready to Start

Explore certifications and every career this trade offers.

Pay figures on this page are national averages from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other public sources. Actual pay varies by state, city, employer, and experience, so use these numbers as a starting point, not a guarantee, and research wages in your specific area before making a decision.