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.
How AI Impacts Each Task
21 tasks analyzed
Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.
Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners.
Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.
Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
Fill water tanks and check tanks, pipes, and fittings for leaks.
Design active direct or indirect, passive direct or indirect, or pool solar systems.
Determine locations for installing solar subsystem components, including piping, water heaters, valves, and ancillary equipment.
Perform routine maintenance or repairs to restore solar thermal systems to baseline operating conditions.
Install heat exchangers and heat exchanger fluids according to installation manuals and schematics.
Apply operation or identification tags or labels to system components, as required.
Connect water heaters and storage tanks to power and water sources.
Cut, miter, and glue piping insulation to insulate plumbing pipes and fittings.
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.
Assess collector sites to ensure structural integrity of potential mounting surfaces or the best orientation and tilt for solar collectors.
Apply ultraviolet radiation protection to prevent degradation of plumbing.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems. | 25Estimated | 37.0% | 5% | |
| Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 4% | |
| Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 8% | |
| Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 8% | |
| Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners. | 20Estimated | 23.0% | 3% | |
| Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 6% | |
| Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 8% | |
| Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Fill water tanks and check tanks, pipes, and fittings for leaks. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 4% | |
| Design active direct or indirect, passive direct or indirect, or pool solar systems. | 65Estimated | 53.0% | 4% | |
| Determine locations for installing solar subsystem components, including piping, water heaters, valves, and ancillary equipment. | 55Estimated | 49.0% | 5% | |
| Perform routine maintenance or repairs to restore solar thermal systems to baseline operating conditions. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 6% | |
| Install heat exchangers and heat exchanger fluids according to installation manuals and schematics. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Apply operation or identification tags or labels to system components, as required. | 20Estimated | 41.0% | 2% | |
| Connect water heaters and storage tanks to power and water sources. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Cut, miter, and glue piping insulation to insulate plumbing pipes and fittings. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 4% | |
| Install monitoring system components, such as flow meters, temperature gauges, and pressure gauges, according to system design and manufacturer specifications. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 4% | |
| Install plumbing, such as dip tubes, port fittings, drain tank valves, pressure temperature relief valves, or tanks, according to manufacturer specifications and building codes. | 5Estimated | 11.0% | 5% | |
| Assess collector sites to ensure structural integrity of potential mounting surfaces or the best orientation and tilt for solar collectors. | 50Estimated | 47.0% | 3% | |
| Apply ultraviolet radiation protection to prevent degradation of plumbing. | 15Estimated | 39.0% | 2% |
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Reading Comprehension is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Mathematics 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)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Service Orientation is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
Get personalized recommendations. Answer a few questions about your experience and skills to get course suggestions tailored specifically to you.
Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
Estimated Impact
AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
by Pluralsight
Estimated Impact
Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
We may earn a commission when you enroll through our links, at no extra cost to you. This helps fund the Takeover Tracker.
Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change
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
Last scored March 14, 2026 · Based on BLS employment data and O*NET task analysis