47-2231.00 - Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Partially updated 2012

Summary Report for:
47-2231.00 - Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks.

The occupation code you requested, 47-4099.01 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers), is no longer in use. In the future, please use 47-2231.00 (Solar Photovoltaic Installers) instead.

Sample of reported job titles: Installer, PV Design and Installation Technician, PV Installer, Photovoltaic Installer (PV Installer), Solar Designer/Installer, Solar Installer, Solar Installer Technician, Solar PV Installer, Solar Photovoltaic Installer (Solar PV Installer), Solar Technician

View report: Summary Details Custom

Tasks

Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment.
Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.
Identify methods for laying out, orienting, and mounting modules or arrays to ensure efficient installation, electrical configuration, or system maintenance.
Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Examine designs to determine current requirements for all parts of the photovoltaic (PV) system electrical circuit.
Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.
Test operating voltages to ensure operation within acceptable limits for power conditioning equipment, such as inverters and controllers.

Tools & Technology

Tools used in this occupation:

Hammers — Claw hammers; Sledgehammers

Levels — Builders' levels; Laser line levels; Torpedo levels

Power drills — Cordless drills; Impact drills

Screwdrivers — Phillips head screwdrivers; Straight screwdrivers

Wire cutters — Pair of dykes

Technology used in this occupation:

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

Knowledge

Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Building and Construction — Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

English Language — Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Design — Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Customer and Personal Service — Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Production and Processing — Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Engineering and Technology — Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Mathematics — Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Skills

Installation — Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

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.

Critical Thinking — Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring — Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Learning — Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Coordination — Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Judgment and Decision Making — Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Quality Control Analysis — Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Reading Comprehension — Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking — Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Abilities

Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Visualization — The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.

Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Information Ordering — The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

Deductive Reasoning — The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Oral Comprehension — The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Work Activities

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Work Context

Face-to-Face Discussions — How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather — How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

Exposed to High Places — How often does this job require exposure to high places?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls — How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Frequency of Decision Making — How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Importance of Being Exact or Accurate — How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?

Spend Time Standing — How much does this job require standing?

Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results — How do the decisions an employee makes impact the results of co-workers, clients or the company?

Contact With Others — How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Freedom to Make Decisions — How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Job Zone

Title	Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Job Zone Examples	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include sheet metal workers, forest fire fighters, customer service representatives, physical therapist aides, salespersons (retail), and tellers.
SVP Range	(4.0 to < 6.0)

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
56	High school diploma or equivalent
16	Some college, no degree

Work Styles

Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Integrity — Job requires being honest and ethical.

Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Self Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Achievement/Effort — Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.

Leadership — Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.

Stress Tolerance — Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Persistence — Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values

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.

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.

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.

Wages & Employment Trends

National

Employment data collected from Construction and Related Workers, All Other.
Industry data collected from Construction and Related Workers, All Other.

Median wages (2012)	$18.22 hourly, $37,900 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 Government

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.