Elka 

Maria 

Torpey

Elka Maria Torpey 

is an economist in 

the Office of Occupational Statistics 

and Employment 

Projections, BLS. 

She is available at 

(202) 691–5719 or 

at torpey.elka@bls.

gov.

34 Occupational Outlook Quarterly • Fall 2009

Solar photovoltaic installer Solar photovoltaic installer

You’re a what?

every job keeps it interesting, Rebekah says: 

“Installation never goes flawlessly, so there’s 

always something new or different to consider.” 

For example, installers might need to reinforce 

a roof that isn’t strong enough to hold the 

panels. Or they might alter their design to work 

around a chimney.

Before finishing, installers activate the system, check that it’s working correctly, and help 

with site cleanup. Lead installers or those who 

have an electrician’s license might be responsible for arranging work permits and inspections, or they may work with utility companies 

to connect the system to the main electrical 

grid. Some installers also repair solar electric 

systems that are already hooked up.

For Rebekah, a typical residential installation takes about 3 days, and she spends half of 

that time placing the modules. Large, commercial installations may take several months. As 

a result, work schedules of solar PV installers 

can be similar to those of construction workers, with long hours on some days followed by 

periods of no employment.

Also like construction workers, an 

installer’s days often start early to beat the 

worst of the heat. And their work depends on 

the sun in more ways than one. “If it’s raining, a lot of times I can’t work,” says Rebekah. 

That’s because wet weather can make installation dangerous. Working up high requires 

taking special precautions, such as wearing a 

harness, but safety equipment is often no match 

for hazardous outdoor conditions.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does 

not publish employment data on solar photovoltaic installers. But industry sources suggest 

that there are about 7,000 solar photovoltaic 

installers—who may also be known as solar 

photovoltaic technicians or solar installerroofers—in the United States.

About half of all solar PV installers work 

in California, a State that provides many incentives for solar electric power. Because solar 

power requires a large upfront investment, tax 

credits and other government incentives help 

As long as there’s sunshine, Rebekah 

Hren expects to have an outlet for her 

work. Rebekah, a solar photovoltaic 

(PV) installer, puts solar panels on roofs and in 

other sunny places to turn the sun’s power into 

electricity. She enjoys promoting renewable 

energy, in part because it’s an emerging field. 

“It’s a fun industry to be in right now,” says 

Rebekah. “It’s kind of like the Wild West.”

In solar PV systems, solar cells—devices 

that convert sunlight into electricity—are 

joined to create different types of solar 

modules, which are usually further connected. 

Solar electric systems can be installed on the 

ground, on poles, or on the roofs or sides of 

buildings. 

The most common type of solar modules 

is the 3- by 5-foot flat, framed solar panel that 

is mounted on top of a roof. But solar cells are 

also manufactured as flexible panels, roof tiles, 

and shingles. Other cells may be integrated 

with building materials, such as siding or 

windows. 

Most of Rebekah’s installations are on the 

roofs of houses. Atop a roof, her first order of 

business is to make sure that there is enough 

room for the panels and that the roof can hold 

the weight of the system. If the roof meets 

both criteria, Rebekah bolts structural framing, 

or racking, to the roof. Next, she attaches the 

panels and connects them with wires. 

 The wires are then brought down to a 

basement, garage, or outside box to be hooked 

up to an inverter, which turns the direct current 

(DC) generated by the solar cells into an alternating current (AC) that can be used to power 

homes and businesses. Some systems include 

battery backup to store electricity for later use.

The wiring of the inverter to the utility 

box and main electrical grid must be done by a 

licensed electrician. In fact, some municipalities require that solar PV installers have an 

electrician’s license. Rebekah has a license, so 

she does the wiring on her installations.

Each installation is unique, especially in 

residential work. That one-of-a-kind feel to 
make it a more affordable option for individuals and businesses. Given the trend in favorable 

government incentives, analysts expect that 

the solar-power industry will continue to grow 

rapidly.

As the use of solar power expands, the job 

tasks of solar PV installers are evolving. Some 

workers concentrate primarily on installing 

the panels. Others, especially those at small 

companies, do everything from sales to planning to wiring. Experienced installers in any 

size company may advance to lead installer, 

system designer, sales representative, or other 

positions.

Solar PV installers need mechanical skills 

and must be able to work with the power tools 

and hand tools used to construct and fasten 

equipment. Electrical knowledge and an understanding of basic math are helpful, as are good 

problem-solving abilities. Attention to detail is 

important, because completing an installation 

often requires following diagrams and instructions. Heavy lifting is also required at times: 

Solar panels typically weigh between 30 and 40 

pounds; batteries can weigh double that—

or more. 

And workers can’t be afraid of heights. 

Although most commercial installations 

take place on flat roofs, many residential 

installations take place on pitched roofs—

often with a steep slope—and on loose or 

fragile materials, such as cedar shake and clay 

shingles. “The scariest part of the work is being 

up on the roof,” says Rebekah. “You have to be 

a certain type of person to climb up on roofs 

and do high-voltage electrical wiring.” 

Most solar photovoltaic installers have a 

high school diploma and mechanical, electrical, 

or related experience. People with construction 

backgrounds are often well suited for the work; 

roofing experience is particularly valuable. 

Some employers prefer to hire applicants who 

have an associate degree in an electrical or 

related field. 

Rebekah says that solar panel installation 

also attracts career changers from a variety of 

fields. New workers frequently learn on the job, 

although specific training in solar installation 

or solar power is helpful. Voluntary certification 

is also available and is sometimes required.

Industry analysts estimate that wages for 

entry-level solar PV installers are about $12 to 

$15 an hour and vary by location, with crew 

leaders making between $20 and $25 an hour. 

Workers with an electrician license or other 

qualifications typically earn more. 

But for Rebekah and other solar PV 

installers, their work isn’t just about earning 

a paycheck. “What I really love is installing 

a system and knowing that it will be creating 

clean energy for 25 years,” says Rebekah. “It’s 

exciting to be making a difference.”

Fall 2009 • Occupational Outlook Quarterly 35

Installing framed panels on 

rooftops is one of Rebekah 

Hren’s many tasks.

Photo of Rebekah Hren courtesy of Honey Solar Electric, Inc.