Photo: NJR ZA (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Job description
A typical installation involves mounting flat-plate or evacuated-glass solar collectors on a roof or ground structure, running copper or plastic plumbing to connect the collectors to a storage tank, and installing the controllers and sensors that manage the system, then testing that the mechanical, plumbing, and electrical components all function together. The work follows highly structured, code-driven procedures but still requires independent judgment on each site's layout, and deadlines mean the pace is often brisk. Technicians may specialize in residential water-heating systems, larger commercial or industrial installations, or move into system design as they gain experience.
Pros
- Strong pay ceiling above $108k with just vocational training or an apprenticeship required
- Faster than average projected growth (4.5%) tied to expanding renewable energy adoption
- Technically varied role blending plumbing, electrical, and system design skills
Cons
- Deadline-driven, fast-paced work requiring independent judgment on each installation
- Outdoor work exposed to weather, heights, and hazardous equipment
- Highly structured procedures leave little room for improvisation on the job
A typical day
The truck rolls at 7am loaded with collectors, copper line, and a new storage tank for a pool-heating job. The morning is roof work: mounting the collector array, sweating pipe joints, and running insulated lines down to the equipment pad. After lunch the system gets charged with fluid, pressure-tested, and bled of air while the controller and sensors are programmed to move heat only when the roof is hotter than the tank. The last hour is the walkthrough -- showing the owner the gauges, the shutoff, and what normal looks like.
Tasks at the job
- Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
- Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
- Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.
- Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
- Design active direct or indirect, passive direct or indirect, or pool solar systems.
- Install heat exchangers and heat exchanger fluids according to installation manuals and schematics.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens primarily outdoors, exposed to whatever the weather is doing. The role involves regular exposure to hazardous equipment or conditions and working at heights.
The pace is often fast, with real time pressure to meet deadlines, and you're expected to exercise significant independent judgment day to day. The work is highly structured, following set procedures.
Education necessary or common
Vocational training, apprenticeship, or associate's degree
Licenses & certifications
- OSHA 10
- NABCEP Solar Heating Installer
- Plumbing apprenticeship/license (varies by state)
Career path
Related fields
Courses to take
- Physics -- heat transfer and fluid flow are the whole system
- Shop or plumbing/HVAC trades classes -- pipe work is the core skill
- Geometry -- roof layout and pipe-run planning
- Environmental Science -- context for renewable heating
- Algebra -- sizing tanks and flow rates
Clubs, activities & competitions
- SkillsUSA -- plumbing and HVAC competitions map directly onto this trade
- Habitat for Humanity -- jobsite experience
- Robotics or maker club -- sensors and controllers show up in modern systems
- A part-time job with a plumber or contractor
First steps you can take now
- Take the free OSHA 10 online course
- Learn to solder copper pipe with a starter kit and scrap fittings
- Watch a solar water-heating install from start to finish on video
- Call a local plumbing or solar shop and ask about helper or apprentice openings
