Solar panel installer
Solar panel installers fit and maintain solar panel systems on residential and commercial buildings.
Also known as: Photovoltaic (PV) installer, solar PV technician
- Starter salary£25,000 a year
- Experienced£47,000 a year
- Typical hours40 to 45 a week
- Green jobYes
What you'll do
As a solar panel installer, you could:
- carry out a pre-installation survey on site
- work out where to attach panels, following design plans
- fix the mounting system to the roof
- install solar panels, using hand and power tools
- make sure the roof fixings are sealed and waterproof
- work with electricians to connect wiring to the building's solar charging unit and battery storage system
- test the set-up to make sure it's working correctly
- show customers how to use their energy system controls
- carry out routine maintenance and fix faults
Working environment
You could work at a client's home, at a client's business or on a construction site.
Your working environment may be at height and outdoors in all weathers.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- practical skills for installing equipment
- the ability to work well with others
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- knowledge of building and construction
- excellent verbal communication skills
- knowledge of maths
- problem-solving skills
- physical fitness and endurance
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
How to become a solar panel installer
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- working towards this role
- applying directly
College
You'll usually need an electrical qualification to work as an installer.
You could do a college course to get some of the technical knowledge and skills that may help you get onto an apprenticeship, or to find a trainee installer position with a company.
Courses include:
- electrical installation
- electronic and electrical engineering
- electrical wiring regulations (18th edition)
- T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction
You may also need to complete a short course on the installation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, depending on your experience and any existing qualifications you hold.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do an apprenticeship with an installation or construction company, such as:
- Building Services Engineering Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship
- Installation and Maintenance Electrician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
Work
You could start as an installation labourer, working with qualified installers, and do training on the job with the support of your employer.
If you're a qualified electrician you could take a short training course in the installation and maintenance of small solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This would allow you to fit solar panels and connect them to a building's electrical mains network.
You could take solar PV training to fit solar panels to buildings if you're a qualified roofer . You'll still need to work with an electrician to connect the panels to a building's power system.
Check with training providers to find out about the courses they offer and which might be best for you.
Direct application
You could apply directly for jobs if you have experience and qualifications in electrical installation and maintenance.
Foundation apprenticeship
You can apply for a foundation apprenticeship if you're aged 16 to 21.
If you're aged 22 to 24, you can apply if you:
- have an education, health and care (EHC) plan
- are in care or have been in care
- are in prison or have been in prison
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- no specific qualifications or experience to apply for a foundation apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Restrictions and requirements
You may need a driving licence for some jobs.
Career path and progression
With further training, you could qualify to do the electrical work associated with installations.
With experience, you could become a project manager, co-ordinating work on a number of installation sites. You could also work as a design engineer, looking for ways to improve the efficiency of solar panel systems.
You could move into the installation and maintenance of large scale systems like solar farms , or work in the wider renewable energy sector.
Career tips
You can demonstrate that you work to industry quality standards by applying to have your installation skills recognised through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) .
You can also extend this to other renewable technologies, like solar heating, battery storage and heat pumps, if you work in those areas.
Registration
- you'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card or equivalent to train and work on a construction site
Guides for this industry
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