To become a solar panel installer in the US you typically need a high school diploma and up to a year of on-the-job training, sometimes after a short course at a technical school or community college. In the UK you'll usually need an electrical qualification, or you can come in as a qualified roofer or electrician and add solar PV training.
Solar installation is one of the fastest-growing trades in the US, and it's a natural add-on for electricians and roofers in the UK. You'll spend most days outdoors and on roofs, working as part of a team to mount panels, connect them and test the system.
I've built this guide from two official sources read as of October 2026: the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook profile for solar photovoltaic installers, and the National Careers Service profile for solar panel installers.
Solar installer jobs and pay at a glance
| Measure | US figure (BLS) |
|---|---|
| Jobs in 2025 | 31,100 |
| Median annual wage (May 2025) | $53,140 |
| Projected growth, 2025 to 2035 | 37%, much faster than average |
| Openings each year | About 4,200 |
| Largest employer | Electrical contractors, with 39% of jobs |
Those figures are as of October 2026. BLS projects jobs rising from 31,100 to 42,400, an increase of 11,300 over the decade. Few trades come close to that rate of growth.
The US route, step by step
- Finish high school. BLS says PV installers typically need a high school diploma.
- Consider a short course. Community colleges and technical schools run courses from basic safety and PV knowledge up to system design. Most last a few days to several months.
- Get hired and trained. On-the-job training can last up to 1 year. Some installers learn through an apprenticeship instead.
- Think about certification. It isn't required for employment, but BLS says some states require every installer on a project to be certified for that project to qualify for solar-related subsidies.
Electrician and roofing apprentices can also complete photovoltaic-specific training modules within their apprenticeships, which is a common way to add solar to an existing trade.
The UK route
The National Careers Service is clear that you'll usually need an electrical qualification to work as an installer. The main ways in are:
- A college course such as the T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction, which can help you get onto an apprenticeship or a trainee role.
- An apprenticeship such as the Building Services Engineering Level 2 Foundation Apprenticeship or the Installation and Maintenance Electrician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. The advanced route usually needs 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 including English and maths.
- Starting as an installation labourer and training on the job with your employer's support.
- Adding solar to a trade. Qualified electricians can take a short course in small solar PV systems. Qualified roofers can train to fit panels, but they'll still need an electrician to connect them to a building's power system.
You'll need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card or equivalent to work on a construction site. The National Careers Service also suggests getting your installation skills recognised through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme, which can extend to battery storage and heat pumps.
Who pays solar installers most
Pay depends on who you work for. These are BLS May 2025 medians, as of October 2026:
| Employer | Median annual wage |
|---|---|
| Electrical contractors | $58,570 |
| Plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors | $57,260 |
| Utilities | $51,460 |
| Power and communication line construction | $48,460 |
| Temporary help services | $47,100 |
Electrical contractors are both the biggest employer and the best payer, which is another reason the electrician route is worth considering.
What a working day involves
The National Careers Service lists the core tasks. You'll:
- carry out a pre-installation survey on site
- work out where to attach panels, following design plans
- fix the mounting system to the roof and make sure fixings are sealed and waterproof
- install panels using hand and power tools
- work with electricians to connect wiring to the charging unit and battery storage
- test the system, show customers how to use the controls and fix faults later
BLS adds that on flat roofs you'll first fit a structure so the panels sit at an angle, and that installers check the measurements and design of the roof before mounting anything.
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Questions to ask a solar employer
Solar firms range from large electrical contractors to small installation crews, and the training you get varies a lot. Before you accept a trainee job, it's worth asking:
- Will you pay for a solar PV course or certification?
- Who will I work alongside in my first months?
- Do you do the electrical connection in house, or bring in an electrician?
- What fall protection and roof safety training do you provide?
The answers tell you whether you'll come out of your first year with skills you can take anywhere.
Electrician or roofer first?
If you want the full job, including the wiring, start with how to become an electrician. If you're more comfortable on roofs than with circuits, my guide on how to become a roofer shows the other way in.
My verdict
Solar is one of the few trades where BLS expects growth of 37% over a decade. In the US, a high school diploma, a short course and a good employer will get you started. In the UK, the electrical qualification is the key, so either train as an electrician or add solar PV training to a trade you already have.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need qualifications to be a solar panel installer?
In the US, BLS says installers typically need a high school diploma plus on-the-job training of up to 1 year. In the UK, the National Careers Service says you'll usually need an electrical qualification.
How much do solar panel installers make?
BLS lists a median annual wage of $53,140 for solar photovoltaic installers in May 2025, as of October 2026.
Is solar installation a growing job?
Yes. BLS projects employment of solar photovoltaic installers to grow 37% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than average.
Can a roofer install solar panels?
Yes, with solar PV training. The National Careers Service says a qualified roofer can fit panels but will still need an electrician to connect them to the building's power system.
Do you need certification?
It isn't required for employment in the US, but some states require certified installers for projects to qualify for solar-related subsidies.
