How to become a Solar Energy Installation Manager
Official title: Solar Energy Installation Managers
Also called: Commercial Field Manager, Commercial Solar Superintendent, Installation Manager, Residential Field Manager, Residential Field Supervisor, Solar Energy Installation Manager, Solar Field Supervisor, Solar Installation Crew Foreman, Solar Installation Manager, Solar Installation Supervisor
Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.
Main tasks
- Plan and coordinate installations of photovoltaic (PV) solar and solar thermal systems to ensure conformance to codes.
- Supervise solar installers, technicians, and subcontractors for solar installation projects to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Estimate materials, equipment, and personnel needed for residential or commercial solar installation projects.
- Prepare solar installation project proposals, quotes, budgets, or schedules.
- Provide technical assistance to installers, technicians, or other solar professionals in areas such as solar electric systems, solar thermal systems, electrical systems, or mechanical systems.
- Coordinate or schedule building inspections for solar installation projects.
- Perform start-up of systems for testing or customer implementation.
- Identify means to reduce costs, minimize risks, or increase efficiency of solar installation projects.
How to become one
Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent
Ways in
- Licence: A licence is required in 5 states.
Pay · Outlook · AI and this job
- Median pay: $79,920 a year The middle half earn $63,400 to $101,460.
- About 913,300 people work in this job now, and about 959,400 are projected by 2035. (+5%)
- People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
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Questions people ask
How much does a Solar Energy Installation Manager earn in the US?
Median full-time pay is $79,920 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $63,400 to $101,460.
Is a Solar Energy Installation Manager a growing career in the US?
Yes. Employment is projected to grow 5% by 2035, from about 913,300 to about 959,400 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Do you need a degree to become a Solar Energy Installation Manager?
Usually not. Only 10% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Will AI change the work of a Solar Energy Installation Manager?
People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.
Sources
- Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
Updated 2026-10-03
This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.