What Does it Take to Be a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician?

Solar Thermal Installer or Technician Example Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.

What Do Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians Do On a Daily Basis?

• Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
• Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
• Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
• Determine locations for installing solar subsystem components, including piping, water heaters, valves, and ancillary equipment.
• Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
• Apply ultraviolet radiation protection to prevent degradation of plumbing.

What Every Solar Thermal Installer or Technician Should Know

These are the skills Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians say are the most useful in their careers:

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.

Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

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

Other Solar Thermal Installer or Technician Job Titles

• Thermal Technician
• Thermal Operator
• Solar System Installer
• Solar Thermal Technician
• Solar Thermal Installer

Solar Thermal Installer or Technician Employment Estimates

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 42,700 jobs in the United States for Solar Thermal Installer or Technician. 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. The BLS estimates 5,100 yearly job openings in this field.

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?

Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians may use on a daily basis:

• 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
• PTC Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire
• Computer-aided drafting or design software

How do I Become a Solar Thermal Installer or Technician?

What kind of Solar Thermal Installer or Technician requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

References:

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

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More about our data sources and methodologies.