About This Career

Installs or repairs solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.

This career is part of the Architecture and Construction cluster Maintenance/Operations pathway.

A person in this career:

• Tests operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
• Applies weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
• Installs solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
• Installs copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
• Identifies plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.
• Demonstrates start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners.
• Installs circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
• Installs flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.
• Installs solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
• Fills water tanks and check tanks, pipes, and fittings for leaks.

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would often handle loads up to 20 lbs., sometimes up to 50 lbs. You might do a lot of lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling.
• Work in this occupation involves using your hands to hold, control, and feel objects more than one-third of the time
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time
• Work in this occupation involves standing more than one-third of the time
• Work at heights above 8 feet more than once a month on structures such as ladders, poles, scaffolding, and catwalks

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Identifying color and seeing differences in color, including shades and brightness
• Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching
• Seeing clearly at a distance
• Seeing clearly up close
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person
• Using abdominal and lower back muscles repeatedly or over time without tiring

Work Hours and Travel

• Irregular hours
• Weekend work