14 Pros and Cons of Being a Solar Installation Technician

Are you interested in a fast-paced career where you can combine your love of the outdoors with your electrical knowledge and problem-solving skills?

If so, you may be interested in becoming a Solar Installation Technician.

Learn more about the skill sets required for today’s solar installers to succeed and gain insights on the pros and cons of being a Solar Installation Tech in our informative guide.

Let’s start by examining the role and job duties of Solar Installation Techs!

What Is a Solar Installation Technician?

Renewable energy specialists who focus on diagnosing, installing, and maintaining solar panel systems are called Solar Installation Technicians.

People interested in converting their homes from traditional energy sources provided by local utilities and burning through fossil fuels are turning to highly skilled technicians who are trained to convert solar energy into naturally renewable power.

The BLS lists Solar Installation Technicians as “Solar Photovoltaic Installers.”

Their primary role involves assessing commercial and residential homes for solar panel configuration, assembling and installing solar panel systems, and providing maintenance or troubleshooting support for failing solar panel systems.

Most outdoor installation technicians spend their time installing solar panels on the rooftops of homes and commercial structures in their quest to convert sunlight into renewable energy sources for powering indoor outlets, appliances, and devices.

Indoor technicians are often required to install solar panels, inverters, and connected battery systems in tight crawlspaces and similarly hard-to-reach locations.

Solar Installation Technician – Job Duties

• Planning and Configuration of Solar Panel Systems
• Installation of Solar Panels and Electrical Equipment on Rooftops and Other Structures
• Connecting PV Wiring to Electrical Systems to Conversion of Sunlight  into Usable Electricity
• Troubleshooting Solar Panel Malfunctions
• Routine Solar Panel Maintenance for Commercial and Residential Customers

Solar Installation Technician Salary – US

America’s BLS reports that the average salary for today’s Solar Photovoltaic Installers is around $48,800.00 per year.

They also project the job outlook for these uniquely skilled technicians to grow much faster than that of all other occupations as the need for highly skilled Solar Installation Technicians is projected to rise by almost half within the next nine to ten years.

Pros of Being a Solar Installation Technician

Now that you’ve gained insight into what Solar Panel Technicians do and how much they earn each year, let’s discuss the pros and cons of working in the role.

We’ll start with the pros in the section below where we highlight some of the upsides of working as a Solar Installer.

1. Solar Installation Technicians Are in High Demand Across the United States and Beyond

The fast-moving pace of technology means that more families and local businesses are turning to solar power as a viable energy option.

Increased demand for solar-powered products along with industry analysis from the BLS show the demand for new technicians is higher than most other career fields.

2. Solar Installers Directly Contribute to Positive Environmental Impacts

Today’s solar technicians have a strong sense of pride in their work as they help their local community members switch to solar power.

Using solar-powered panels and connected devices can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, decrease air pollution, and conserve water by eliminating the need for cooling traditional power plants.

3. The Earnings Potential Is High for Solar Installers

Increased demand for experienced Solar Installation Technicians can mean a financial boost for highly skilled technicians.

Installers who boost their skillsets through practical experience or advanced education can make higher than average salaries.

Technicians who seek certification through top certifying authorities like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners can also earn higher salaries.

4. Solar Technicians Have Transferrable Skills Which Can Be Used Across a Variety of Different Industries

Solar Install Technicians have a vast array of transferrable skills that can easily land them high-paying and rewarding positions in other career fields.

Electrical knowledge, blueprint reading, systemic troubleshooting, and knowledge of renewable energy systems are in high demand across many technology-related fields.

5. There Is a Low Entry Barrier for Incoming Techs

One of the biggest pros of becoming a Solar Installation Tech is that there is a low barrier to entry in most cases.

Employers seeking new techs typically only require them to have a high school diploma, or GED, and to complete a designated period of on-the-job training.

While earning high-level certifications can make existing technicians more employable, they are typically not required to gain entry into the field.

6. Hands-on Work Can Be Satisfying

If you love working with your hands while solving complex electrical and technical problems related to installing and maintaining renewable energy systems, working as a solar installer could be an ideal career for you.

The bulk of an installer’s work requires hands-on activities for installation, troubleshooting, and problem-solving for solar systems.

7. There Are a Variety of Work Locations Available

Professional installers working as independent contractors, freelancers, and those working for employers all have a variety of different options to choose from in selecting their work locations as the career is in such high demand and the need for their skills can span across the nation and even the globe.

Cons of Being a Solar Installation Technician

1. Solar Techs Carry Out Physically Demanding Work

Installers are required to lift, carry, and move installation equipment, ladders, and tools, which makes the role of a solar installer physically demanding.

Working in this role requires heavy lifting and carrying of solar panels that can weigh more than fifty pounds, along with maneuvering mounting hardware and related accessories.

2. Exposure to Extreme Weather and Outdoor Elements

A huge downside of working as an outdoor installer is the exposure to extreme and unpredictable weather.

Solar Techs are often required to work in extreme temperatures that can range from over one hundred degrees to those that drop below freezing.

Wearing weather-appropriate gear is a must for outdoor installers working in the elements.

3. Potential Risks of Injury

There are many potential injury risks for solar installers who work in extreme weather conditions, on slippery and sloped roofs, and complete installations on uneven surfaces.

Installers face injury risks in the form of ladder accidents, loss of balance on slippery or sloped surfaces, weather-related injuries, electrical hazards, and heavy equipment-related injuries.

4. Irregular Work Hours Can Lead to Burnout

Technicians are often required to work extended shifts that can lead to extreme fatigue or burnout.

Working on large-scale projects and those with strict deadlines can leave some technicians feeling physically exhausted and depleted.

Irregular work hours can mean unpredictable break times, lack of rest, and an increased risk of injury due to fatigue.

5. Seasonal Job Fluctuations Can Cause Financial Instability

While some solar installers work year-round in favorable climates, others are impacted by the seasonal fluctuations that can leave them without work for days, weeks, or months on end.

Seasonal job fluctuations can lead to financial instability, difficulty budgeting, and job insecurity for temporarily out-of-work technicians seeking to take on new projects.

6. High Competition in the Industry Can Lead to Lower Wages

High demand for experienced technicians can also lead to high levels of competition within the industry.

High competition can negatively impact installers who accept lower-paying jobs to outbid their competitors and secure steady employment.

Accepting lower wages and lower-paying jobs can lead to financial stress and instability for highly skilled installers.

7. Repetitive Tasks Can Be Cumbersome and Boring

Working on repetitive tasks such as lifting, bending, twisting, carrying, and installing solar systems can take a mental and physical toll on some technicians.

The repetitive nature of the work can lead to physical injuries including repetitive motion injuries, back pain, and chronic fatigue.

Mental fatigue and boredom can also play a significant role in the lives of solar installers.

Pros and Cons of Being a Solar Installation Technician – Summary Table

Should You Become a Solar Installation Technician?

Now that you understand the key responsibilities and duties of a Solar Installation Technician, do you feel this is the right career for you?

Consider your answers to the following questions when deciding to become a Solar Panel Technician.

Q1. -Do you enjoy solving complex problems related to the latest technologies and renewable energy sources?

Q2. – Are you willing and able to work in outdoor environments that can include extreme temperatures and indoor environments that can include cramped spaces?

Q3. – Are you committed to getting the required education and training to work as a solar installer?

Q4. – Do you have technical skills, electrical knowledge, and the ability to move, transport, and carry solar panels?

Q5. – Would you like to work in an in-demand field with the potential for high-income earnings and professional growth with a transferrable skill set?

If you answered yes to most of the questions above, you may be a good candidate for becoming a Solar Photovoltaic Installer.

Take the next steps by researching the career, educational pathways, and credentials needed to make your dream of becoming a Solar Installation Technician a reality!

Sources

Solar Photovoltaic Installers – BLS
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/solar-photovoltaic-installers.htm

Solar Energy Technicians: Responsibilities and Requirements
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/solar-energy-technician

The American Clean Power Association – Solar Technician
https://cleanpower.org/occupation/solar-technician-iii/