Solar Thermal Installer and Technician

Working Schedule

• Expect full-time work with occasional ebbs and flows. Most workers in this field are employed by contract businesses or are self-employed. Roughly 13% are self-employed and must spend unpaid time advertising and marketing their services, as well as potentially needing to bid on jobs that they may not get hired to do. In emergencies, Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians may be called to respond during irregular hours. 

Typical Duties

Note that installers and technicians aren’t quite the same things. Installers may specialize in new equipment made by a limited range of manufacturers. Technicians are often exposed to a wider range of equipment. They may thus develop a deeper knowledge of troubleshooting and carry a broader assortment of equipment.

• Review work requirements with customers
• Assess needs, determine suitable installation options, and estimate materials and costs 
• Inspect and test electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and control equipment and systems
• Prepare locations with suitable materials 
• Identify areas requiring tags or labels 
• Cut and install materials such as carpets, vinyl, or pipes 
• Install solar energy collection devices on various types of structures
• Apply weather sealants and protective coatings
• Install insulation and controls, sensors, or gauges
• Perform diagnostics and maintenance on equipment

Additional Responsibilities

• Weatherproof systems as applicable 
• Perform other electrical checks
• Measure performance to ensure systems are functioning within expected parameters
• Maintain records of tests and maintenance

Soft Skills

• Ability to objectively monitor and assess the performance of people, systems, and equipment
• Ability to teach and train others
• Commitment to quality assurance
• Cost-conscious  
• Critical thinking
• Customer service skills
• Detailed-oriented
• English proficiency
• Inquisitive and creative
• Safety-minded
• Sound judgment and reasoning 
• Strong verbal communication and listening skills
• Teamwork
• Visualization

Technical Skills

• Comfortable working at elevated heights
• Normal (or correctable) vision
• Physical fitness and dexterity
• Steady hands; good hand-eye coordination
• Familiarity with hand tools  
• Ability to understand blueprints, technical plans, and drawings
• Able to work with raw materials 
• General familiarity with basic engineering principles as they apply to the job
• Aptitude for math, including algebra, geometry, calculus, and stats
• Computer-aided design 
• Software for CRM, email/office, and project management

• Contract businesses
• Self-employed
• Utility companies

Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians work both indoors and outdoors. Building assessments, measurements, and installations are mostly done outside, while design and prep may be done indoors. Some STE is installed at elevated heights, so installers are susceptible to falling risks, as well as electric shocks, dehydration, exposure to too much sun, and other hazards. Workers must know and practice safety precautions, including wearing personal protective equipment, as needed.

State and federal legislation continues to push for and incentivize greener energy solutions. Homeowners and businesses around the country are doing their part to work towards energy efficiency, with STE being a growing part of that drive. Energy.gov notes that the current administration’s mandate for America to have a “fully decarbonized electricity system by 2035” means that “the solar workforce will need to grow from approximately 250,000 workers in 2021 to between 500,000 and 1,500,000 workers by 2035.” 

Solar is one of the easiest alternative energy solutions to incorporate into nearly any structure, and the demand for qualified installers could eventually outstrip the supply. With the relatively brief educational requirements needed to get started, this could be a great time to train for employment as a Solar Thermal Installer and Technician. Workers with prior experience in construction or as an electrician may be perfect to transition into this field.

Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians probably enjoyed being outside and doing physical activities. They may have loved construction projects and working with their hands, yet were also reasonably good with math and design principles. While it isn’t necessary to be an environmentalist, many people in this field are driven by the desire to help promulgate alternative energy solutions. Of course, some are simply interested in getting into an exciting career where workers can get started without sitting through years of college classes first!