Solar Photovoltaic Installers Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Solar Photovoltaic Installers

The main tasks and work activities of Solar Photovoltaic Installers are to install solar energy systems, maintain mechanical equipment, test green technology installations to verify performance, apply sealants or other protective coatings. In general, for the Solar Photovoltaic Installers, installation, critical Thinking, active Listening, monitoring and other 9 skills are required.

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Job Description
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Example	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Solar Photovoltaic Installers jobs. 55.53% of Solar Photovoltaic Installers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 14.02% of Solar Photovoltaic Installers have Post-Secondary Certificate.

Less than a High School Diploma

12.03%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

55.53%

Post-Secondary Certificate

14.02%

Some College Courses

1.79%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

16.14%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

0.49%

Tasks and Work Activities of Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
Install active solar systems, including solar collectors, concentrators, pumps, or fans.
Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
Perform routine photovoltaic (PV) system maintenance on modules, arrays, batteries, power conditioning equipment, safety systems, structural systems, weather sealing, or balance of systems equipment.
Activate photovoltaic (PV) systems to verify system functionality and conformity to performance expectations.
Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.
Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment.
Determine connection interfaces for additional subpanels or for connecting photovoltaic (PV) systems with utility services or other power generation sources.
Determine photovoltaic (PV) system designs or configurations based on factors such as customer needs, expectations, and site conditions.
Diagram layouts and locations for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and equipment, including existing building or site features.
Examine designs to determine current requirements for all parts of the photovoltaic (PV) system electrical circuit.
Identify and resolve any deficiencies in photovoltaic (PV) system installation or materials.
Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
Identify methods for laying out, orienting, and mounting modules or arrays to ensure efficient installation, electrical configuration, or system maintenance.
Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.
Install required labels on solar system components and hardware.
Measure and analyze system performance and operating parameters to assess operating condition of systems or equipment.
Program, adjust, or configure inverters and controls for desired set points and operating modes.

Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming 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 of materials.
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Install solar energy systems.
Maintain mechanical equipment.
Test green technology installations to verify performance.
Apply sealants or other protective coatings.
Inspect electrical or electronic systems for defects.
Select construction materials.
Determine appropriate locations for operations or installations.
Determine construction project layouts.
Create construction or installation diagrams.
Review blueprints or specifications to determine work requirements.
Install electrical components, equipment, or systems.
Apply identification labels or tags.
Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Record operational or environmental data.
Select construction equipment.

Skills and Abilities for Solar Photovoltaic Installers

InstallationInstalling equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active ListeningGiving 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.
MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Information OrderingThe 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).
Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.
Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Multilimb CoordinationThe ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

Blow torche.g. Acetylene torches
Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable hand wrenches
Levelse.g. Builders' levels
Caulking gunse.g. Caulking equipment
Locking plierse.g. Channel lock pliers
Claw hammere.g. Claw hammers
Power drillse.g. Cordless drills
Wire lug crimping toole.g. Crimping lugs
Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
Multimeterse.g. Digital multimeters
Geological compassese.g. Directional compasses
Shovelse.g. Dirt shovels
Ladderse.g. Extension ladders
Safety harnesses or beltse.g. Fall arrest harnesses
Masks or accessoriese.g. Filter masks
Forkliftse.g. Forklifts
Squarese.g. Framing squares
Global positioning system GPS receivere.g. Global positioning system GPS receivers
Pocket calculatore.g. Handheld calculators
Hex keyse.g. Hex wrenches

MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge 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.
Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Skills and Abilities for Solar Photovoltaic Installers