Solar Photovoltaic Installer

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A solar photovoltaic installer could...

Overview Listen to this section

Would you like knowing that what you do every day helps the environment and saves money? Well, that is what solar photovoltaic installers do. They outfit buildings and large solar energy farms with photovoltaic systems that convert free sunlight into clean and renewable energy. This is an exciting, emerging field that will enable you to combine a passion for the environment with mechanical and electrical skills.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Solar Photovoltaic Installer?

1. Installation: ? Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
2. 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.
3. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
4. Monitoring: ? Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
5. Coordination: ? Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

6. Quality Control Analysis: ? Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
7. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
8. Troubleshooting: ? Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
9. Time Management: ? Managing one's own time and the time of others.
10. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Solar Photovoltaic Installer might do:

• 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.
• Identify and resolve any deficiencies in photovoltaic (PV) system installation or materials.
• Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
• Program, adjust, or configure inverters and controls for desired set points and operating modes.
• Visually inspect and test photovoltaic (PV) modules or systems.
• Install required labels on solar system components and hardware.
• Determine photovoltaic (PV) system designs or configurations based on factors such as customer needs, expectations, and site conditions.
• Determine materials, equipment, and installation sequences necessary to maximize installation efficiency.
• Determine connection interfaces for additional subpanels or for connecting photovoltaic (PV) systems with utility services or other power generation sources.
• Perform routine photovoltaic (PV) system maintenance on modules, arrays, batteries, power conditioning equipment, safety systems, structural systems, weather sealing, or balance of systems equipment.
• Install active solar systems, including solar collectors, concentrators, pumps, or fans.
• Activate photovoltaic (PV) systems to verify system functionality and conformity to performance expectations.
• Demonstrate system functionality and performance, including start-up, shut-down, normal operation, and emergency or bypass operations.
• Measure and analyze system performance and operating parameters to assess operating condition of systems or equipment.
• Compile or maintain records of system operation, performance, and maintenance.