About This Career

Assembles, installs, or maintains 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.

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster Construction pathway.

A person in this career:

• Installs photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
• Checks electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.
• Identifies electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.
• Identifies installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
• Assembles solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
• Applies weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
• Installs module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.
• Installs required labels on solar system components and hardware.
• Diagrams layouts and locations for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and equipment, including existing building or site features.
• Determines materials, equipment, and installation sequences necessary to maximize installation efficiency.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 50 lbs., sometimes up to 100 lbs. You will need a lot of strength at this level.
• Work in this occupation involves keeping or regaining your balance more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves use of protective items such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, a hard hat, or personal flotation devices
• Requires getting into awkward positions
• Conditions are very hot (above 90 F) or very cold (under 32 F)
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Exposed to conditions such as high voltage electricity, combustibles, explosives, and chemicals more than once a month
• Exposed to hazardous equipment such as saws, machinery, or vehicular traffic more than once a month
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Sound and noise levels are loud and distracting
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves making repetitive motions more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time
• Work at heights above 8 feet more than once a month on structures such as ladders, poles, scaffolding, and catwalks

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Maintaining a body position that prevents falling when in an unstable position
• Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching
• Seeing clearly up close
• Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying objects
• Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

• Irregular hours