Tech Directions - August 2007 - (Page 28) career directions SOLAR ENERGY TECHNICIAN/INSTALLER Overview Solar power (also known as solar energy) is solar Personal Skills/ radiation emitted from our sun. Large panels that abCharacteristics sorb the sun’s energy as the sun beats down on them gather solar power. The energy in the rays can be used ● Excellent verbal and written communication for heat (solar thermal energy) or converted to electricskills ity (photovoltaic energy). ● Strong customer service skills Solar thermal collectors, such as solar hot water ● Experience in residential and commercial wiring panels, are commonly used to generate hot water for a plus domestic and light industrial applications. Solar thermal ● Solar experience a plus energy is used in architecture and building design to ● Knowledge of Universal Building Codes control heating and ventilation in both active solar and passive solar designs. ● Previous construction experience a plus Photovoltaic (PV) systems are high-tech, solid-state ● Strong physical and technical skills solar modules that convert radiation from the sun’s ● Computer skills a plus electricity directly into usable electricity. This con● Mechanically inclined verted electricity is collected and stored in batteries of ● Ability to work independently various sizes for use as needed. ● Reliable transportation Solar energy is currently used in a number of applications, including heat (hot water, building heat, ● Self-starter cooking), electricity generation (photovoltaics, heat engines), transportation (solar car), and desalination of seawater. Currently, water heating and pool heating are Description by far the largest part of the solar energy busiIf you’ve thought of taking up the plumbing or electricity ness, and photovoltaics is still a very small part trade but are turned off by thoughts of working with backed-up of the business. toilets or wiring an old house, you might want to look into a career in the solar industry. It’s a small but growing industry with a lot of interest. Solar energy technicians install, maintain, operate, and test equipment and energy systems that use solar energy. Each solar energy project, from conception to installation, requires the services of many technicians with various skills. Some are Wages construction craft workers, such as plumbers, carpenters, Earnings vary widely. Most solar roofers, and sheet metal workers, who install or repair solar energy technicians earn between energy systems. $18,000 and $40,000 per year, deSolar energy system installers include photovoltaic system pending on education, geographical (PVS) installers and solar thermal installers. PVS installers location, and type of position. install the systems that generate solar electricity to heat and Entry-level wage $12-$15/hour cool entire homes and buildings. Solar thermal installers inLead Technician $15-$20/hour stall and repair hot water and swimming pool heating systems. Technicians employed by large Both thermal and PVS installers mount preassembled solar companies usually receive health panels or systems and install storage tanks, pumps, valves, insurance and paid vacations and pipes, and ducts. They set up and adjust electrical or elecsick time. tronic controls and sometimes do routine maintenance. In new construction, they follow blueprints to connect piping, ducting, controls, and wiring. $$$$ 28 techdirections ◆ AUGUST 2007
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