Life As a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician

Job Description & Duties Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.

Life As a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician

• Cut, miter, and glue piping insulation to insulate plumbing pipes and fittings.
• Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
• Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
• Install plumbing, such as dip tubes, port fittings, drain tank valves, pressure temperature relief valves, or tanks, according to manufacturer specifications and building codes.
• Perform routine maintenance or repairs to restore solar thermal systems to baseline operating conditions.
• Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.

What a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians say are important on the job.

Installation: Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

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.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Solar Water Heater Installer
• Solar Power Installer
• Heat Exchanger
• Solar Maintenance Technician
• Solar Pool Heating Installer

Job Opportunities for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

In the United States, there were 42,700 jobs for Solar Thermal Installer or Technician in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 9.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 4,100 new jobs for Solar Thermal Installer or Technician by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 5,100 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Solar Thermal Installer or Technician are District of Columbia, Colorado, and Idaho. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Alaska, or Virginia. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

What Tools & Technology do Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Word processing software
• Autodesk AutoCAD
• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
• National Instruments LabVIEW
• Dassault Systemes CATIA
• Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS
• Salesforce software
• Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA
• Work scheduling software
• Palm OS
• 1CadCam Unigraphics
• Cost estimating software
• Project management software
• Computer-aided drafting or design software
• PTC Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire

How do I Become a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician?

Individuals working as a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician have obtained the following education levels:

What work experience do I need to become a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician?

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

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More about our data sources and methodologies.