Millions of people around the world are currently a part of the solar energy industry. As of 2022, it was estimated that more than 250,000 people had careers in solar and related industries. Worldwide, the solar energy buzz is still up – as one of the fastest-growing renewable energy resource markets, one can find a variety of jobs in the solar industry.
Working in the solar energy industry can be an exciting prospect if you are an environmentally conscious individual who would love to contribute to a greener world. Here is a guide that will help you break it into the solar industry!
Benefits of having a career in Solar Energy Industry
There are many hidden benefits and advantages to working in this field. For example, a solar career is not just about being financially stable, but it is also rewarding and can give you a great career growth path.
Here are some benefits of working in the solar industry.
- Job Stability and Guarantee
The solar industry is fast-paced – in 2023, solar energy was the fastest-growing electricity resource in the US. The industry keeps evolving every day with newer technologies taking up the main stage. This means that a career in solar energy can take you a long way in your future.
From manufacturing solar panels and renewable energy storage systems to setting up residential and industrial setups, one can find numerous types of jobs in the solar industry. Not only technical and engineering-related jobs, you can also find careers in management, maintenance, marketing, and other subfields in the industry.
- Contribution Towards a Greener Earth
One of the biggest perks of working in the solar industry is the satisfaction that you contribute towards a better future. Solar energy is the most popular form of renewable energy resource today. Solar energy has managed to bring many positive impacts across the world with its minimal carbon footprints.
So, when you have careers in solar energy, you can actively work for a greener Earth! Not only does this bring a better future, but you can also be a part of a bigger industry that can slowly replace non-renewable resources and their harmful effects.
- Better Pay with More Experience
Stability is guaranteed when you have a career in the solar industry. Do you know what else is guaranteed? Exponential career growth and better pay as the years go by! The industry pays you well – for instance, the US average pay for a solar technician is $49,340. Based on your job, your salary could vary from $40,000 to $100,000.
The solar industry is also quite flexible. This means that you can explore different technical as well as managerial roles in the solar energy field and move up the career ladder. The higher your experience is, the better the pay you can expect!
- Wide Career Options
With many technical fields dying out, the solar industry is just starting to bloom. A simple example – between 2021 and 2031, statistics predict that solar installer jobs could boom by 27%. The solar industry offers many career options for people from diverse backgrounds.
Often people mistake that the main jobs in the industry are only manufacturing-related. That is not true. One can also find career options like solar installation, electrical maintenance, management, product marketing, and many other job openings in this field!
Types of Jobs in the Solar Industry
Careers in solar energy industry are diverse and multiple – here are some of the best solar jobs you can find to change your career growth!
- Solar Installer Jobs
Solar installer jobs are not just limited to solar photovoltaic cell installation – they also include those who install energy storage systems in residential and industrial settings.
Requirements:
If you want to know how to become a solar panel installer, here are the requirements:
- High school diploma or higher education
- Certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) or Certified Solar Roofing Professional (CSRP)
- On-the-job training for at least 1 year
Duties:
- Solar panel installation jobs involve installing and maintaining PV solar cells and other equipment that connects the system to the electrical grids.
- Duties also include cutting and assembling the solar framework for installation.
Median Salary:
- As of May 2022, the average salary for solar installation jobs is $45,230.
- The data according to Indeed shows that the average salary of a solar installer is $68,217.
Industry Outlook:
- Solar installer jobs are on the rise – the demand for installers is predicted to increase by 22% between 2022 and 2032.
- This is one of the fastest growing jobs in the solar industry.
- Solar Electrician Jobs
Next to solar installer jobs, solar electrician jobs are also on the rise. But unlike installer jobs, this position might require an engineering degree in electronics or an equivalent educational requirement.
Requirements:
- High school diploma
- Associate or bachelor’s degree in engineering, with a specialization in electronics or something similar
- Licenses and certificates in the particular field are preferred
- Training and work experience is also preferred
Duties:
- Solar electricians mainly assist in installing and connecting panels.
- Senior electricians also take part in the designing and testing of PV cells and solar panels.
The role also includes the installation of other equipment related to solar cells and panels – this includes power generation equipment, batteries, transformers, etc.
Median Salary:
- The average salary of a certified solar electrician is $55,865 in the US.
Industry Outlook:
- With improved technical knowledge, people in solar electrician jobs can achieve better career positions after gaining a few years of experience.
- Solar Panel Cleaning Jobs
As the name suggests, solar panel cleaning jobs consist of cleaning and maintaining the solar panels installed on large and small scales.
Requirements:
- High school diploma
- Technical knowledge and industrial experience related to solar panel cleaning
Duties:
- The duties of a solar panel cleaning professional will include the cleaning and maintenance of solar panels.
- The maintenance of solar panels can be on a large scale, like in industrial and commercial settings.
- It can also be on a smaller scale, like in residential solar setups.
Median Salary:
- In the US, the average pay per hour for a solar panel cleaning job is between $15-$22.
Industry Outlook:
- Solar panel cleaning is a separate industry that is gaining high demand. This is because, worldwide, the usage of solar panels and cells has increased.
- Getting solar maintenance jobs can be rewarding as they have a great future.
- Solar Management Jobs
There are various types of managerial roles when it comes to the solar industry. From solar project managers to fleet managers, you can find diverse roles in the solar energy industry.
Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent
- Preferred Post-graduate degree
- Industry experience is also preferred
- Passion for the solar industry
- Technical knowledge as well as hands-on experience
Duties:
- As a fleet manager, you will be overseeing the entire fleet and its related activities. From installation to maintenance, all the tasks will be managed by you.
- As for a solar project manager, they will have the responsibility of coordinating and managing entire projects. They will also keep track of resources and progress.
Median Salary:
- In the US, the average pay for a solar fleet manager is around $98,000.
- The average pay for a solar project manager in the US is between $97,000 and $137,000.
Industry Outlook:
- As the solar industry is a fast-growing industry, the requirement for fleet and project managers is always on the rise.
- One can also shift into the solar industry with prior experience from some other energy industry.
How to get a Career in Solar Energy Industry – Step by Step Explanation
Careers in solar are all about technical knowledge and passion. For most of the career options in the solar industry, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related fields to have technical knowledge about solar energy and the technologies used in this field.
Here is a simple briefing on how to get into solar energy.
- Professional Requirements
For careers like solar installer/assembler and CNC operator, a high school diploma with a special certificate in the field will be a good place to start. Certifications like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) or the Certified Solar Roofing Professional (CSRP) are widely accepted across the US.
Marketing specialists and sales representatives in the solar industry are better off with an associate degree and some hands-on experience. For roles like solar designers, engineers, and technicians, a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in related sciences or engineering is expected. A Master’s degree is also most welcome.
- Skills – Technical and Soft
A career in solar industry does not just require a strong educational background, but it also requires you to boast a wide range of technical as well as soft skills. Here is a list of some of the basic skills one should possess to get the best solar jobs:
- Technical knowledge of solar equipment and technologies
- System designing software – SketchUp, AutoCAD, and Pvsyst
- Basic knowledge of electrical engineering and energy production
- Safety procedure instructions
- Understanding of the solar market worldwide
- Team working skills
- Effective communication
- Analytical and logical thinking skills
- Industry Experience
Once you have gained the required skills and certifications, it is time to gain industry experience. You can do this through apprenticing and intern opportunities. To get a position in any major energy company, you would require at least 3-5 years of prior work experience, so it is better to grasp any opportunity you get in the solar industry!
Conclusion
The solar industry is one of the most competitive industries in the world now – every day, it creates thousands of job vacancies across the world. Having a career in the solar industry comes with a wide range of benefits, including a great salary and job stability. Not only do you have stability, but you can also contribute towards a greener world.
If you are interested in alternative energy resources, like commercial and industrial solar energy solutions, it is time to look for a solar career!