Occupations · Construction and Extraction

Solar Energy Installation Managers

Direct work crews installing residential or commercial solar photovoltaic or thermal systems.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 47-1011.03

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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.
Develop and maintain system architecture, including all piping, instrumentation, or process flow diagrams.
Identify means to reduce costs, minimize risks, or increase efficiency of solar installation projects.
Assess system performance or functionality at the system, subsystem, and component levels.
Assess potential solar installation sites to determine feasibility and design requirements.
Monitor work of contractors and subcontractors to ensure projects conform to plans, specifications, schedules, or budgets.

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Monitoring3.8

Reading Comprehension3.6

Speaking3.6

Active Listening3.5

Critical Thinking3.5

Writing3.0

Active Learning3.0

Learning Strategies3.0

Mathematics2.8

Science1.9

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Autodesk AutoCAD●Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D●Autodesk Revit●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Project●Microsoft Visio●Microsoft Windows●Microsoft Word●Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management●Procore software●SAP software●Salesforce software●Trimble SketchUp Pro●Bentley STAADComputer aided design and drafting software CADDCost estimating softwareEsri ArcGISInventory tracking softwareMapping softwareMicrosoft SharePoint ServerMinitabOracle Primavera SystemsPVsystPrologReal time operating system RTOS software

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

3 / 5Medium preparation — vocational training or an associate degree, plus 1–2 years of work.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to High Places+2.3 above average

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions+2.1 above average

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment+2.1 above average

Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures+1.8 above average

Exposed to Hazardous Conditions+1.7 above average

In an Open Vehicle or Operating Equipment+1.5 above average

Spend Time Climbing Ladders, Scaffolds, or Poles+1.4 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2024-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)53%

Less than a High School Diploma19%

Some College Courses10%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)9%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2024-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic5.9

Enterprising4.8

Conventional4.2

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Coordination3.8

Management of Personnel Resources3.8

Time Management3.8

Persuasion3.4

Instructing3.4

Judgment and Decision Making3.2

Complex Problem Solving3.1

Service Orientation3.1

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Building and ConstructionCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementDesignMechanicalTransportation

Abilities it leans on

Oral ExpressionOral ComprehensionWritten ComprehensionDeductive ReasoningProblem SensitivityNear Vision

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

Piping SupervisorInstallation ManagerSolar Field SupervisorCommercial Field ManagerCommercial SubcontractorResidential SubcontractorResidential Field ManagerSolar Installation ManagerPhotovoltaic SubcontractorResidential Field SupervisorSolar Installation SupervisorSolar Installation Crew ForemanCommercial Solar SuperintendentSolar Project Manager (Solar PM)

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 3 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 13

+Real time operating system RTOS software+Bentley STAAD+Oracle Primavera Enterprise Project Portfolio Management+PVsyst+Autodesk Revit+Esri ArcGIS+Computer aided design and drafting software CADD+Procore software+Trimble SketchUp Pro+SAP software+Microsoft SharePoint Server+Salesforce software+Microsoft Windows

No longer listed 2

−Customer relationship management CRM software−Microsoft Office SharePoint Server MOSS

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

ForemanCrew LeadCrew LeaderSubcontractorSolar Crew MemberPiping SupervisorInstallation ManagerSolar Project ManagerSolar Field SupervisorInstallation TechnicianElectrical SubcontractorCommercial Field Manager

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
solar energy technician	7411.1.4	close
electrical supervisor	3123.1.11	close

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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