We all know that it’s important to take care of the environment around us. Solar photovoltaic installers—or PV installers, as they’re otherwise known—do just that. PV installers are at the forefront of renewable energy solutions as businesses and homeowners strive to consume responsibly. PV installers set up and maintain solar panels. They do specialized work connecting PV, or solar panels, to the power grid, in addition to activating and testing solar-powered systems for quality performance. If you are interested in a career that is technical and labor-intensive, and that also makes a positive impact on the environment, this may be the career for you. Through their work, PV installers provide environmentally-conscious energy that will last for years to come. PV installers need to be very skilled with their hands, have good balance, and pay close attention to detail. They must be able to lift heavy equipment, parts, and tools. PV installers do most of their work outdoors, often on rooftops. This means that PV installers do face the risk of falling from ladders and roofs, and need to take care to avoid electrical shocks and burns from hot equipment. Training to enter the field lasts from a few days to a few months, and is available at community colleges and trade schools. Candidates with electrician or construction experience are often considered qualified to enter this career with only on-the-job training.
What they do:
Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.
On the job, you would:
Supervise solar installers, technicians, and subcontractors for solar installation projects to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Estimate materials, equipment, and personnel needed for residential or commercial solar installation projects.
Prepare solar installation project proposals, quotes, budgets, or schedules.
Business
customer service
management
Engineering and Technology
building and construction
design
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
Social
changing what is done based on other people's actions
teaching people how to do something
Resource Management
managing your time and the time of other people
selecting and managing the best workers for a job
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
read and understand what is written
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
People interested in this work like activities that include leading, making decisions, and business.
They do well at jobs that need:
Attention to Detail
Dependability
Cooperation
Integrity
Analytical Thinking
Adaptability/Flexibility
You might use software like this on the job:
Computer aided design CAD software
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D
Trimble SketchUp Pro
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Project management software
Microsoft Project
Oracle Primavera Systems
certificate after high school or some college usually needed
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