5 Skills of a Successful Solar Installation Technician

One of the most in-demand jobs is that of a solar installation technician. With the growing popularity of solar, more solar installation technicians are required to install thousands of solar panels. Solar panels can cover acres of land in order to generate clean, reliable, and renewable energy for hundreds of thousands of consumers every year. Luckily, there are many programs to help train the best solar installers in the world. So, what are the most important skills of a successful solar installation technician? These skills include being tech savvy, paying attention to detail, having an understanding of electrical systems, great communication skills, and a willingness to solve uncommon issues.

Skill #1 – Tech Savvy

The solar industry is constantly changing. The upgrade of technology is what keeps solar cost competitive with other forms of power generation. A good solar installation technician needs to be tech savvy in order to keep up with an industry that is consistently modifying and upgrading strategies. This means following solar related news and taking the time to study the specification sheets of new solar panels or inverters that they may have never worked with before. This will ensure that a solar installation technician is ahead of the curve and their knowledge set will not fall behind the fast pace of the industry.

Skill #2 – Attention to Detail

Solar installations require immense attention to detail. Because solar installations operate for twenty-five plus years, the installation must be nearly perfect to receive the intended financial returns. If the panels are installed just a few degrees east or west of south or are titled too far forward or too far back, the lifetime production of the solar system can be negatively impacted. A smart solar installation technician realizes that the most important aspect of an installation is getting it right the first time. After all, solar installation technicians that make too many mistakes won’t succeed in the industry for long.

Skill #3 – An Understanding of Electrical Systems

A solar installation can be thought of as its own electrical power plant. Its goal is to produce clean, reliable and sustainable power for the customer. Much like larger power plants, solar installation technicians must have a keen understanding of electrical diagrams to translate these documents into real life systems. Luckily, many solar installation technician training programs focus on this topic and allow a student to hone their skills in a controlled environment. Then, once they begin working in the field, the solar installation technician will have the opportunity to work under experts with years of experience in the field, who can show them some of the common pitfalls in the solar industry.

Skill #4 – Great Communication Skills

Solar installation technicians travel for work, because solar developments are popping up all over the country. Additionally, their team may be working on multiple installations at the same time. To be the most effective installer, solar installation technicians must be expert communicators. This means balancing communication between many parties at once. These parties include a boss, coworkers, suppliers, site owners and solar customers. With so many moving pieces, effective communication can make or break one’s career advancement opportunities.

Skill #5 – A Willingness to Solve Uncommon Issues

Building a solar array can present some unique challenges. From complying with the most recent fire codes to ensuring that a solar system faces exactly due south to maximize production, a solar installation technician must be ready for anything and on the lookout for some uncommon issues. The best solar installation technicians are also the best problem solvers. For example, they may have to troubleshoot a solar array and figure out why it is not working properly. This takes a methodical process to completely review the inner workings of each solar panel and its components. Sometimes solar panels are faulty. It is up to the solar installation technician to look for the problem and identify the best possible solution for the solar array.

Final Thoughts

There are a variety of skills that define the best type of solar installation technician. While these skills are each individually important, they become even more valuable when paired together. As more states pass legislation that further supports the adoption of solar energy, more jobs will be created.

Does a career as a solar panel installation technician interest you? Want to have the power of an entire nation at your fingertips? The Energy Technology Programs from MIAT College of Technology provide the hands-on training, practical experience and industry support it takes to pursue a rewarding technical career. The Energy Programs from MIAT College of Technology range from 7-16 months and provide the hands-on training, practical experience, and industry support it takes to pursue a rewarding technical career. Classes are interactive and led by industry professionals with years of experience working in the field. You will get personalized, hands-on instruction in whichever energy program you pursue.

MIAT’s goal is to produce graduates who are in the top echelon of their initial on-the-job training due to the foundational knowledge they receive at MIAT. To learn more about Energy Technology career training and to explore if MIAT is right for you, fill out the form on this page.

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