What they do
Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks.
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Also called: |
Installer, Photovoltaic Installer (PV Installer), PV Design Technician (Photovoltaic Design Technician), Solar Designer, Solar Installer, Solar Installer Technician, Solar Photovoltaic Installer (Solar PV Installer), Solar Technician
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Wages
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Vermont - 2023 |
Percentile1 | Hourly | Yearly |
10% |
$ 19.62 |
n/a |
25% |
$ 19.72 |
n/a |
Median |
$ 25.77 |
n/a |
75% |
$ 29.63 |
n/a |
90% |
$ 32.58 |
n/a |
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Average |
$ 26.37 |
n/a |
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More at CareerOneStop |
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Industries of Employment
United States - 2020 |
Industry | Percent of total |
- Specialty trade contractors
| 73% |
- Heavy and civil engineering construction
| 10% |
| 7% |
- Construction of buildings
| 3% |
More at BLS |
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Knowledge
People in this career often know a lot about: |
- Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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- Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
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- English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
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- Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
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- Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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More at O*NET |
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Skills
People in this career often have these skills: |
- Installation
Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
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- Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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- Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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- Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
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- Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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More at O*NET |
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Interests
People in this career often prefer these work environments: |
- Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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- Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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What are your interests? Take the O*NET Interest Profiler |
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Work Styles
People in this career will do well at jobs that need: |
- Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
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- Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
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- Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
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- Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
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- Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
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More at O*NET |
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Tasks
On the job, you would: |
- Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
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- Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
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- Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
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- Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment.
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- Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.
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More at O*NET |
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Related Occupations
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Career Video
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Projected Employment
Projected employment not available for Vermont but may be for the nation and other states at CareerOneStop |
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Education and Experience:
- Typical education needed for entry
High school diploma or equivalent
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- Work experience in a related occupation
None
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- Typical on-the-job training needed to attain competency
Moderate-term on-the-job training
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Based on BLS Education and Training Classifications |
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Physical Work Activity
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials. |
- Physical activity is Very Important
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- Level of activity is High
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Low | | High |
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Compare Occupations at O*NET |
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Job Zone
Some Preparation Needed |
- Specific Vocational Preparation Range
(4.0 to < 6.0) - A typical worker will require
over 3 months up to and including 1 year
of training to achieve average performance in this occupation.
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Based on O*Net Job Zones and SVP |
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Education Level
How much education do most people in this career have? |
Education level | | Percent of U.S. Workers |
Doctoral or professional degree or post-MA certificate | | 0% |
Master's degree or post-BA certificate | | 0% |
Bachelor's degree | | 0% |
Associate's degree | | 16% |
Certificate or some college, no degree | | 16% |
High school diploma or equivalent | | 56% |
Less than high school diploma | | 12% |
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Licensing
Vermont may require an occupational license: |
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Select a license for details |
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Abilities
People in this career often have talent in: |
- Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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- Visualization
The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
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- Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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- Information Ordering
The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
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- Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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More at O*NET |
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Work Activities
In general, what you might do: |
- Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
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- Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
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- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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- Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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More at O*NET |
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Detailed Work Activities
What you might do in a day: |
- Install solar energy systems.
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- Apply sealants or other protective coatings.
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- Determine appropriate locations for operations or installations.
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- Select construction materials.
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- Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
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More at O*NET |
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Other Resources
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- CareerOneStop
resource for job seekers, students, businessess and career professionals
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- O*NET Online
nation's primary source of occupational information
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