Details Report for:
47-4099.02 - 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.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Work Values | Wages & Employment | Job Openings
Tasks Save Table (XLS/CSV)
- 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.
- Apply operation or identification tags or labels to system components, as required.
- Assess collector sites to ensure structural integrity of potential mounting surfaces or the best orientation and tilt for solar collectors.
- Connect water heaters and storage tanks to power and water sources.
- 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.
- Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.
- Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
- Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
- Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.
- Install heat exchangers and heat exchanger fluids according to installation manuals and schematics.
- Install monitoring system components, such as flow meters, temperature gauges, and pressure gauges, according to system design and manufacturer specifications.
- 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 solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
- Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
- Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
- Apply ultraviolet radiation protection to prevent degradation of plumbing.
- Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
- Cut, miter, and glue piping insulation to insulate plumbing pipes and fittings.
- Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners.
Tools & Technology Save Table (XLS/CSV)
Tools used in this occupation:
| Calculators or accessories — Calculators |
| Drill bits — Drill bit sets |
| Front end loaders — Utility work machines |
| Handheld refractometers or polarimeters — Digital refractometers |
| Ladders — Extension ladders; Fiberglass extension ladders |
| Locking pliers — Channel lock pliers; Vise grip pliers |
| Multimeters — Digital multimeters |
| Pipe wrenches — Large pipe wrenches; Medium pipe wrenches |
| Power drills — Cordless drills; Impact drills; Right-angle drills |
| Power saws — Jig saws; Reciprocating saws |
| Soldering irons or guns — Soldering equipment |
| Stud finders — Stud locators |
| Tape measures — Steel measuring tapes |
| Wire cutters — Pair of dykes |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Calendar and scheduling software — Work scheduling software |
| Electronic mail software — Microsoft Outlook |
| Office suite software — Microsoft Office software |
| Project management software — Cost estimating software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
| Word processing software — Microsoft Word |
Work Values Save Table (XLS/CSV)
 Extent |
Work Value |
|
|---|---|---|
50   |
Support — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical. | |
| 45 |
Achievement — Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement. | |
| 42 |
Working Conditions — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions. | |
| 39 |
Relationships — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service. | |
| 33 |
Independence — Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy. | |
| 28 |
Recognition — Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status. | |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Construction and Related Workers, All Other.
Employment data collected from Construction and Related Workers, All Other.
Industry data collected from Construction and Related Workers, All Other.
| Median wages (2012) | $16.82 hourly, $34,990 annual |
| Employment (2010) | 45,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2010-2020) | 
Average (10% to 19%)
|
| Projected job openings (2010-2020) | 23,200 |
| Top industries (2010) | Construction (43% employed in this sector)
Government (16%)
|
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2012 wage data
and 2010-2020 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2010-2020). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
