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Solar installation is becoming an increasingly attractive career for electricians, engineers, roofers and people looking to develop technical skills within renewable energy.
Solar Panel Installers — also known as Solar PV Installers or Solar PV Technicians — install and maintain photovoltaic systems on homes, commercial buildings and other properties.
But what qualifications do you need, do you have to be an electrician, and how can someone with no previous solar experience enter the industry?
This guide explores the different routes into solar installation in the UK, the skills employers look for and how a career can develop once you've gained experience.
WHAT DOES A SOLAR INSTALLER DO?
INSTALLING & MAINTAINING SOLAR PV SYSTEMS
Solar Installers work on photovoltaic systems that convert sunlight into electricity.
The exact responsibilities depend on the employer, project and the qualifications held by the individual.
Typical work can include:
Carrying out site assessments
Reading installation plans
Installing mounting systems
Fitting solar PV panels
Routing cables
Weatherproofing roof penetrations
Supporting electrical installation
Testing systems
Identifying faults
Maintaining existing installations
Completing technical documentation
Solar installation can involve working outdoors and at height, making practical ability and a strong approach to health and safety particularly important.
DO YOU NEED TO BE AN ELECTRICIAN TO INSTALL SOLAR PANELS?
IT DEPENDS ON THE WORK YOU'RE UNDERTAKING
You don't necessarily have to begin your career as an electrician to work within solar installation.
There are roles associated with mounting systems, fitting panels and other physical elements of an installation that can suit people from construction and roofing backgrounds.
However, solar PV systems also involve electrical work.
Qualified electricians therefore have a particularly strong route into the industry because they can build solar-specific knowledge on top of existing electrical training.
For example, a roofer can undertake additional training to install solar panels on roofs ready for a qualified electrician to connect the cabling to the electrical network.
For anyone considering a career in solar, it's therefore important to distinguish between installing the physical PV system and being appropriately qualified and competent to undertake the associated electrical work.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU NEED TO BECOME A SOLAR INSTALLER?
There isn't one qualification that covers every person working on a solar installation.
The right route depends heavily on your existing skills and the work you want to undertake.
Relevant backgrounds can include:
Electrical installation
Electrical engineering
Roofing
Construction
Building services
Mechanical engineering
Renewable energy
Maintenance engineering
For electrical professionals, solar-specific qualifications can then build upon an existing electrical foundation.
Current UK qualifications include Level 3 training specifically covering the design, installation and maintenance of small solar photovoltaic systems.
Employers will assess the qualifications and competencies required according to the responsibilities of the individual position.
ROUTE 1: BECOMING A SOLAR INSTALLER AS AN ELECTRICIAN
ONE OF THE MOST DIRECT CAREER ROUTES
For a qualified electrician, moving into solar PV is a natural extension of existing skills.
Electricians already understand areas including:
Electrical installations
Wiring
Testing
Electrical safety
Fault finding
Regulations
Technical drawings
Safe isolation
Solar-specific training can then develop knowledge around photovoltaic technology, system design, installation and maintenance.
Current City & Guilds Level 3 Small Solar Photovoltaic Systems training is specifically designed as continuing professional development for qualified electricians who want to install and maintain small solar PV systems.
For electricians interested in renewable energy, this can provide a route into positions such as:
Solar Electrician
Solar PV Installer
Solar PV Technician
Solar Maintenance Engineer
Solar Commissioning Engineer
Renewable Energy Engineer
Explore our Solar Electrician Recruitment page for more information about electrical careers within the sector.
ROUTE 2: ENTERING SOLAR FROM ROOFING OR CONSTRUCTION
PRACTICAL INSTALLATION SKILLS CAN TRANSFER
Solar projects don't only require electricians.
The physical installation of rooftop PV systems requires professionals who understand roofing systems, working at height and safe construction practices.
Roofers can undertake additional training to install solar panels before the electrical elements are completed by appropriately qualified electrical professionals.
Relevant transferable experience can include:
Roofing
Construction
Working at height
Using access equipment
Reading installation drawings
Fixing and mounting systems
Weatherproofing
Site safety
This can provide a practical route into solar installation without pretending that a short solar course automatically makes someone a qualified electrician.
ROUTE 3: APPRENTICESHIPS & EARLY-CAREER TRAINING
For someone beginning their career without an established trade, an apprenticeship or broader electrical or construction qualification can provide a stronger foundation than attempting to specialise immediately.
Potential routes can include developing skills through:
Electrical apprenticeships
Electrical installation courses
Construction apprenticeships
Roofing apprenticeships
Building-services training
Engineering qualifications
Solar-specific knowledge can then be developed as your technical experience increases.
This route takes longer than retraining from an existing electrical or construction career, but it provides the underlying skills required for long-term progression.
SOLAR PV TRAINING FOR QUALIFIED ELECTRICIANS
Solar-specific training continues to develop alongside the industry.
The current City & Guilds Level 3 Small Solar Photovoltaic Systems (2922) qualification covers requirements associated with the design, installation and maintenance of solar PV systems in domestic and small commercial settings.
The qualification is aligned with MCS requirements and is designed as CPD for qualified electricians.
Other awarding organisations and training providers may offer relevant programmes, so candidates should check that any course they are considering is current, recognised and appropriate for the work they intend to undertake.
Avoid choosing training purely because a course is advertised as a quick route into renewables.
Your underlying technical competence matters just as much as possessing a solar-specific certificate.
WHAT IS MCS AND DO SOLAR INSTALLERS NEED IT?
UNDERSTANDING AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
MCS is a standards and certification scheme covering small-scale renewable energy and low-carbon technologies.
For solar PV work delivered by an MCS-certified contractor, the contractor has to demonstrate compliance with the relevant installation standards and ensure personnel involved in design and installation are competent for the activities they undertake.
MCS requirements state that installation personnel should have an appropriate level of technical knowledge and installation skill, with records maintained to demonstrate relevant training or qualifications.
This is important because MCS certification relates to the contractor and compliant installation process, rather than simply being a personal certificate that automatically qualifies an individual to undertake every part of a solar installation.
When applying for jobs, candidates should therefore look carefully at the competencies and qualifications specified by the employer.
WHAT SKILLS DO SOLAR INSTALLERS NEED?
Qualifications are only one part of becoming a successful Solar Installer.
Employers can also look for practical skills including:
Technical ability
Understanding equipment, tools and installation processes.
Electrical knowledge
Particularly important for positions involving electrical elements of PV systems.
Working at height
Rooftop installations naturally require confidence and safe working practices at height.
Problem solving
Installations don't always happen in ideal conditions, so identifying and resolving practical issues is valuable.
Attention to detail
Mounting, cable routing, weatherproofing and system installation all require accurate work.
Health & safety awareness
Solar combines construction, electrical work and potentially working at height.
Communication
Installers can work with customers, site managers, electricians, engineers and other trades.
CAN AN ELECTRICIAN BECOME A SOLAR INSTALLER?
Yes. In fact, electrical experience provides one of the strongest transferable backgrounds for moving into solar PV.
A qualified electrician already possesses knowledge relevant to electrical installation, testing, fault finding and safety.
Solar-specific training can then develop understanding of PV systems and their particular installation requirements.
This creates a logical career route for electricians wanting to move into renewable energy without abandoning their existing technical experience.
CAN AN HVAC ENGINEER MOVE INTO SOLAR?
Potentially, although the route is less direct than it is for a qualified electrician.
HVAC Engineers can possess useful transferable experience across:
Electrical systems
Controls
Mechanical systems
Commissioning
Maintenance
Fault finding
Field service
Technical reporting
The amount of additional training required will depend on the individual's existing electrical qualifications and the type of solar position they want to pursue.
For someone from HVAC or building services, the wider renewable energy market can also provide opportunities across solar, heat pumps, controls and energy technologies.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO BECOME A SOLAR INSTALLER?
There isn't one useful answer because starting points differ considerably.
A qualified electrician adding solar PV competence is in a very different position from someone entering the engineering industry for the first time.
An experienced tradesperson may be able to complete relevant specialist training relatively quickly, but that doesn't replace the practical experience needed to become competent.
Someone starting without electrical, roofing or construction experience should expect a considerably longer development route through an apprenticeship, technical qualification or supervised employment.
Rather than asking how quickly you can obtain a solar certificate, a better question is:
What skills and qualifications do I need to competently perform the solar role I want?
That produces a much more realistic career plan.
HOW MUCH DO SOLAR INSTALLERS EARN?
Solar Installer salaries vary according to experience, qualifications, location and project type.
Current National Careers Service guidance places Solar Panel Installer salaries at approximately £25,000 for someone starting out to £47,000 for an experienced installer.
Experienced professionals with additional electrical skills, commercial solar experience, supervisory responsibility or specialist technical capability may have access to opportunities beyond typical salary benchmarks.
We've covered current pay, regional differences and earning potential in detail in our Solar Installer Salary Guide.
WHAT CAN A SOLAR INSTALLER PROGRESS INTO?
Solar installation can lead to several career routes.
A typical progression could look like:
Trainee / Assistant Installer
↓
Solar PV Installer
↓
Experienced / Lead Solar Installer
↓
Supervisor / Senior Installer
↓
Project Manager / Technical Specialist
Alternatively, someone with the appropriate technical background may move into:
Solar electrical engineering
Commissioning
Maintenance
System design
Battery storage
Project engineering
Solar farm projects
Technical management
The wider renewable sector also creates opportunities to develop knowledge across technologies such as battery energy storage and heat pumps.
DOMESTIC VS COMMERCIAL SOLAR CAREERS
Solar installation covers more than residential rooftops.
Domestic solar can involve relatively small PV systems installed on individual homes.
Commercial projects can involve larger systems across offices, warehouses, industrial buildings and other facilities.
At a larger scale again, solar farms can involve substantial ground-mounted installations requiring teams across:
Electrical engineering
Installation
Construction
Commissioning
Project management
Operations and maintenance
As your experience develops, moving into larger or more technically complex projects can broaden your career options.
Explore our Solar Farm Recruitment page for more information about opportunities within large-scale solar.
HOW TO FIND YOUR FIRST SOLAR INSTALLER JOB
If you already work in electrical engineering, roofing, construction or another technical trade, start by identifying which of your existing skills transfer into solar.
Then compare those skills with real Solar Installer vacancies.
Look at:
Required qualifications
Solar experience
Electrical requirements
Working-at-height requirements
Project type
Location and travel
Salary
Training offered
Career progression
This can quickly reveal the gap between your current experience and what employers actually require.
Don't assume you need to tick every box before speaking to an employer or recruiter. Some organisations may consider candidates from adjacent technical backgrounds where there is a realistic route to developing the required solar experience.
READY TO START A CAREER IN SOLAR?
Solar provides a growing technical career path for electricians, engineers, installers and professionals from other relevant trades.
The right route depends on where you're starting.
For a qualified electrician, solar-specific training can extend an established technical career into renewable energy.
For someone from roofing or construction, physical installation skills can provide a route into parts of the installation process.
And for someone at the beginning of their career, an apprenticeship or broader technical qualification can establish the skills needed before specialising.
HVAC Recruitment supports candidates across solar installation, electrical engineering and the wider renewable energy sector.
Explore our Solar Installer Recruitment & Jobs, view the latest Solar Installer Salary Guide, browse our wider Solar Energy Recruitment sector or search our current jobs.
