Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

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

Median Annual Wage: $35,400

Education: High school diploma or equivalent (43%); Some college, no degree (25%); Bachelor's degree (11%)

Projected Growth: Average (8% to 14%)

Related Job Titles: Maintenance Technician; Service Technician; Installer; Solar Installer; Solar Technician; Solar Energy Technician; Solar Hot Water Installer (SHW Installer); Solar Maintenance Technician; Solar System Installer; Solar Thermal Installer

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians.

More Construction and Extraction Careers

  • Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
  • 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.
  • Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.
  • Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners.
  • Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
  • Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.
  • Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
  • Design active direct or indirect, passive direct or indirect, or pool solar systems.
  • Perform routine maintenance or repairs to restore solar thermal systems to baseline operating conditions.
  • Determine locations for installing solar subsystem components, including piping, water heaters, valves, and ancillary equipment.
  • Fill water tanks and check tanks, pipes, and fittings for leaks.
  • Install heat exchangers and heat exchanger fluids according to installation manuals and schematics.
  • Apply operation or identification tags or labels to system components, as required.
  • Connect water heaters and storage tanks to power and water sources.
  • Cut, miter, and glue piping insulation to insulate plumbing pipes and fittings.
  • Install plumbing, such as dip tubes, port fittings, drain tank valves, pressure temperature relief valves, or tanks, according to manufacturer specifications and building codes.
  • Install monitoring system components, such as flow meters, temperature gauges, and pressure gauges, according to system design and manufacturer specifications.
  • Assess collector sites to ensure structural integrity of potential mounting surfaces or the best orientation and tilt for solar collectors.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians.

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • 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.
  • Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  • Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians.

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