Most solar installers learn on the job, often starting as helpers on an installation crew, though community college courses, trade school programs and pre-apprenticeships can speed things up. There is no single national license, but many states require an electrical license for wiring and grid connections. NABCEP credentials are the best-known way to show solar knowledge to employers and customers.
A day on a solar crew
Solar photovoltaic (PV) installers put solar panel systems on roofs and on the ground. The job mixes construction, electrical work and a lot of safety discipline.
- Racking and mounting: measuring, attaching mounts to roofs or setting ground racks, then fastening panels in place.
- Electrical: running conduit and wire, installing inverters and, increasingly, battery storage. In many states licensed electricians make the final connections.
- Safety: fall protection harnesses, ladder safety and working around live electrical systems.
- Conditions: roofs in summer heat, early starts and physical lifting.
- Markets: residential crews move between homes; commercial work covers big flat roofs; utility-scale projects install huge ground-mounted arrays, often in remote areas with travel.
Training routes
- Helper or entry installer: many companies hire people with no experience and train them on the crew.
- Short solar courses: community colleges and trade schools offer PV installation courses from a few weeks to a semester.
- Pre-apprenticeship: pre-apprenticeship programs teach construction basics and safety and can lead into an apprenticeship.
- Electrical apprenticeship: becoming a licensed electrician takes longer but gives you the widest options in solar and beyond. See how to get an apprenticeship.
- Roofing or construction experience: comfort on roofs and with tools carries over directly.
Credentials and licensing
NABCEP, a national nonprofit credentialing board for clean energy workers, offers the most recognized solar credentials. The entry-level PV Associate exam shows basic knowledge and can be taken after a training course, even before field experience. The PV Installation Professional credential is for experienced installers and requires documented training and installation experience plus an exam. Many employers also want OSHA safety training cards. Licensing depends on where you work: some states require an electrical license for any wiring, some have a solar specialty license and some require a contractor’s license to run a solar business. Check your state licensing board and local building department.
From high school to a solar crew
- Take algebra, physics and any construction, electrical or shop classes.
- Get a summer job on a construction or roofing crew to see how you handle heat and heights.
- Take an intro solar course or a pre-apprenticeship program.
- Apply for entry installer jobs or an electrical apprenticeship.
- Sit for the NABCEP PV Associate exam once you have the training, and keep a log of your installs.
- Decide whether to pursue an electrical license, a lead installer role or system design.
Testing the fit
- Work a few weeks as a helper or laborer on a construction site before enrolling in anything long.
- Take an evening solar fundamentals class at a community college.
- Set up informational interviews with a residential installer and an electrician who does solar work.
- Be honest with yourself about heights. A climbing wall or ladder work tells you a lot quickly.
Who thrives on a solar crew
Installers who thrive are physically fit, comfortable at heights, careful about safety and like seeing a finished system produce power the same day. People leave because of roof work in extreme heat, physical wear, travel on large projects and work that rises and falls with incentives and the housing market. Many move into electrical work, crew lead and site supervisor roles, system design, inspection, sales or battery storage. If outdoor work appeals to you, see careers for people who like working outdoors.
Solar as a career change
Solar is one of the faster trades to enter. Roofers, electricians, construction workers and veterans often move in quickly, and short courses let you test it without a long commitment. If you are comparing several trades, our guides on how to choose a trade, your first job in the trades and building a career without a degree help. For current pay and job outlook, check the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Where a mentor helps
A mentor helps a teen or young adult explore whether solar fits, compare short courses and apprenticeships, stay on track with weekly goals, prepare applications and handle the first season on a crew. Mentors are not credentialed career counselors, admissions counselors or licensing experts; they help you do the research and the work yourself. See our career and education mentoring and young adult mentoring.
Related
- All career path guides
- How to become an electrician
- How to become a wind turbine technician
- How to become a lineworker
- How to become an elevator mechanic
Common questions
Do you need a license to install solar panels?
It depends on your state. Many require a licensed electrician for wiring and grid connections, and some have a solar specialty license, so check your state licensing board.
How long does it take to become a solar installer?
You can start as a helper with little or no experience, and short courses take weeks to a semester. Becoming a lead installer or licensed electrician takes several years.
What is NABCEP?
It is the main national organization offering solar credentials, including the entry-level PV Associate and the PV Installation Professional for experienced installers.
Is solar installation hard physically?
Yes. Expect lifting, ladders, roof work and heat. Fall protection and safety training are a core part of the job.
Get started
Thinking about solar or another clean energy trade and want a plan? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.