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.
AI Impact Summary
Solar Photovoltaic Installers faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 25/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 20% of all analyzed occupations. Of 26 analyzed tasks, 7 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Solar Photovoltaic Installers skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
26 tasks analyzed
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.
Diagram layouts and locations for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and equipment, including existing building or site features.
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.
Select mechanical designs, installation equipment, or installation plans that conform to environmental, architectural, structural, site, and code requirements.
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.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% | |
| Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 10% | |
| Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 5% | |
| Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment. | 54.45Observed | 48.8% | 4% | |
| Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 8% | |
| Identify methods for laying out, orienting, and mounting modules or arrays to ensure efficient installation, electrical configuration, or system maintenance. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 3% | |
| Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations. | 40Estimated | 43.0% | 3% | |
| Examine designs to determine current requirements for all parts of the photovoltaic (PV) system electrical circuit. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations. | 53.67Observed | 48.5% | 4% | |
| Test operating voltages to ensure operation within acceptable limits for power conditioning equipment, such as inverters and controllers. | 62Estimated | 74.0% | 3% | |
| Identify and resolve any deficiencies in photovoltaic (PV) system installation or materials. | 30Estimated | 39.0% | 4% | |
| Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays. | 70.12Observed | 55.1% | 3% | |
| Program, adjust, or configure inverters and controls for desired set points and operating modes. | 87Estimated | 84.0% | 3% | |
| Visually inspect and test photovoltaic (PV) modules or systems. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 3% | |
| Install required labels on solar system components and hardware. | 25Estimated | 43.0% | 2% | |
| Determine photovoltaic (PV) system designs or configurations based on factors such as customer needs, expectations, and site conditions. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Determine materials, equipment, and installation sequences necessary to maximize installation efficiency. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 3% | |
| Diagram layouts and locations for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and equipment, including existing building or site features. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Determine connection interfaces for additional subpanels or for connecting photovoltaic (PV) systems with utility services or other power generation sources. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 2% | |
| Perform routine photovoltaic (PV) system maintenance on modules, arrays, batteries, power conditioning equipment, safety systems, structural systems, weather sealing, or balance of systems equipment. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Install active solar systems, including solar collectors, concentrators, pumps, or fans. | 0Estimated | 9.0% | 4% | |
| Activate photovoltaic (PV) systems to verify system functionality and conformity to performance expectations. | 72Estimated | 78.0% | 3% | |
| Select mechanical designs, installation equipment, or installation plans that conform to environmental, architectural, structural, site, and code requirements. | 60Estimated | 51.0% | 2% | |
| Demonstrate system functionality and performance, including start-up, shut-down, normal operation, and emergency or bypass operations. | 30Observed | 27.0% | 3% | |
| Measure and analyze system performance and operating parameters to assess operating condition of systems or equipment. | 54.33Observed | 48.7% | 3% | |
| Compile or maintain records of system operation, performance, and maintenance. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 3% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 28.9%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$51,860
per year
Mean Wage
$57,380
per year
Employment
28K
workers
Wage Range
$39,070 - $80,150
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
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Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Solar Photovoltaic Installers professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Systems Analysis
Systems Analysis will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change