[9] "Photovoltaic Solar Resource: United States and Germany" (U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 2008), http://www.seia.org/galleries/default-file/PVMap_ USandGermany.pdf. For example, solar photovoltaic installers need to have specialized knowledge and training, but many installers have previous experience as roofers, electricians, or construction workers. (1) The Occupational Employment Statistics data are available at www.bls.gov/oes. The author would like to thank Andrea Luecke and Samantha Jacoby of the Solar Foundation and Justin Baca of the Solar Energy Industries Association for their support of this project and for reviewing a draft of this report. Atmospheric and environmental scientists typically need a bachelor's degree, but scientists with a master's or doctoral degree are preferred, depending on the scale of the projects they work on. The second method is known as concentrating solar power (CSP) and converts sunlight into heat to produce steam, which is then fed through conventional steam-turbine generators to generate electricity. However, BLS does have wage data for occupations in the Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution industry group, which includes the distribution of electricity generated by solar power plants. They also operate cranes to lift and place heavy objects, such as photovoltaic arrays, large mirrors, and turbine generators. They work alongside lawyers, accountants, and project managers. BLS does not currently publish wage data available for solar photovoltaic installers, but these data are being collected. BLS does not publish data for site assessors. Using the data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment Statistics program and the Solar Foundation, this article represents the second publication in the Bureau's green careers series. The level and type of training necessary for occupations in the solar power manufacturing process varies. Electricians install and maintain all of the electrical and power systems in a home or business. Although many atmospheric scientists work for companies that develop large-scale solar projects, some work for smaller consulting firms that provide these services to individual customers who are considering installing solar power in their homes or small businesses. Chemical engineers in the solar industry typically focus on semiconductors or organic chemistry, since most solar panels are made of semiconducting materials and some newer thin-film panels are made out of organic materials. You may do sit inspections to get solmetric readings and design systems from the point of sale forward. The wages listed represent the larger industry or industry group that would employ solar power workers, when applicable. They create and study materials at an atomic level, using advanced processes to replicate the characteristics of those materials and their components using computer modeling programs. Many plants require flat, unobstructed ground in order to line up the solar panels or mirrors, and equipment operators operate machinery to clear and grade the land. To maximize efficiency, industrial engineers study the product requirements carefully and design manufacturing and information systems with the help of mathematical models. Chemical engineers apply the principles of chemistry to design or improve equipment or to devise processes for manufacturing chemicals and products. Certification demonstrates competency in a skill or set of skills, typically through work experience, training, the passage of an examination, or some combination of the three. Electricians are responsible for installing and maintaining the electrical equipment and wiring that connects the plant to the electrical grid. Using this knowledge, chemists in the solar power industry are able to improve on solar cell design, develop new materials for making solar cells, or improve existing materials. Photovoltaic power uses solar cells that convert the energy of sunlight directly into electricity through the photovoltaic effect. Large scale solar generation was mostly developed in the 1970s and 1980s, and is considered a clean energy because of its lack of emissions. Because the efficiency of solar panels and concentrating solar power plants is highly dependent on the weather of a particular area, atmospheric scientists are needed to study atmospheric and weather conditions prior to the development of plants or large commercial solar projects. All CSP plants consist of arrays of mirrors. Self-employed installers typically have training and experience with installing solar power systems and are hired directly by the property owners or by a construction firm. Many solar power plants are built in desert areas that have fragile ecosystems and numerous protected species. Welding, soldering, and brazing workers apply heat to metal pieces during the manufacturing process, melting and fusing them to form a permanent bond. Continued research and increased returns to scale as production has increased have led to many developments that have decreased costs while increasing efficiency, reliability, and aesthetics. They must also be willing to submit to random drug testing. New power plants using this technology have recently been approved for construction in California. In 2009, solar power provided less than 1 percent of total electricity generated in the United States. Installation companies typically specialize in installing certain types of panels and provide some maintenance and repair services. The first method uses photovoltaic (PV) solar panels to generate electricity directly from sunlight. Some of the more highly trained CNC workers also program the machines to cut new pieces according to design schematics. Many roofers in the solar industry educate themselves through additional training, or they gain experience to become solar photovoltaic installers. Photovoltaic plants are less complex, requiring installation of arrays of photovoltaic panels before they are connected to transformers and the grid. Once a site has been selected, civil engineers are responsible for the design of the power plant and related structures. The following table shows BLS data for selected occupations in this industry group for May 2010. Plumbers and electricians receive training through supervised apprenticeships administered by technical schools or community colleges. Workers are usually required to wear masks and special suits to protect them from the fumes produced by paint, solvents, and other chemicals. This report focuses mainly on utility-scale, commercial, and residential solar power. Many installers enter the field with previous experience in one or more of these fields. CSP plants use mirrors to heat fluids like molten salt or synthetic oil, which are pumped through the solar heating devices and into a heat-transfer device to produce steam. Licensing is done by individual states, and typically requires the passage of an examination in addition to fulfillment of eligibility requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or the completion of an internship, residency, or apprenticeship. Solar manufacturers need trained salespeople to sell their products to customers. Engineering technicians assist engineers with solving technical problems in research, development, manufacturing, construction, inspection, and maintenance. Pump operators tend, control, and operate pump and manifold systems that transfer oil, water, and other materials throughout the CSP plant. For many positions, experience in other industries is desired by employers in the solar power industry. A salesperson must stay abreast of new products and the changing needs of customers. [4] The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not currently have employment data for the solar power industry. The wafers are then connected to metal strips and placed into the cells. The glaziers are responsible for measuring and cutting the glass or laminate to cover the panel; securing it in place; and sealing it using rubber, vinyl, or silicone compounds. The following table shows BLS data for selected occupations in the Construction of Buildings industry group for May 2010. In 2009 alone, the residential market doubled in size and three new concentrating solar power (CSP) plants opened in the United States, increasing the solar electric market by 37 percent. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location. The linear Fresnel system is one of the newest CSP technologies. Usually, several panels are arranged into an array, which can be scaled to produce enough capacity to generate the desired amount of power. Residential solar power is generated by homeowners who have solar panels installed on their roofs in order to provide power to their homes. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location. This growth in the solar power industry is evidenced by the rapid increase in solar capacity over the past several years, leading to the increased the demand for skilled workers.
In this system, the mirrors are arranged in a parabolic shape, similar to that of a satellite dish, which focuses the heat onto a central receiver mounted above the center of the dish. Solar energy is still used to power the International Space Station and the vast majority of satellites. Software developers are responsible for updating, repairing, expanding, and modifying existing programs. This system is similar to the parabolic trough system, but it uses multiple rows of flat mirrors to focus light onto a set of tubes, increasing the temperature of the heat-transfer fluid. https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any According to industry sources, solar installers usually have starting salaries between $30,000 and $40,000 per year. Electricians are responsible for connecting the solar panels, inverter, and other equipment to a building's power supply. Environmental scientists and specialists, including health. These thin-film solar panels are becoming more common, although traditional glass- or laminate-coated panels continue to make up the majority of the solar panel market. The Solar Foundation estimates that the largest growth in the solar industry in 2011 will be in occupations in solar installation, including photovoltaic installers and electricians and roofers with experience in solar installation. This dramatically increases the temperature of the heat-transfer material, which in turn boils water and creates steam that drives a generator. In addition, wage data are included in the occupation descriptions. Making energy-efficient upgrades to your home is a great way to improve comfort and save money and energy. Because sunlight is readily available almost everywhere and doesn't require fuel or a connection to a power grid (an interconnected network used to deliver electricity from suppliers to consumers), solar power is particularly useful for supplying power to remote areas and to some portable devices. However, because of the complexity of some systems, a significant number of jobs require a master's or doctoral degree. As they gain experience, they are assigned more complex tasks and are given greater independence and leadership responsibilities. Electrical engineers are responsible for controlling electrical generation and monitoring transmission devices used by electric utilities in power plants. And as it expands in usage, there will be a growing need for more workersmanufacturing workers to make solar panels, construction workers to build power plants, solar photovoltaic installers to install solar panels, and so on. The work tends to be repetitive and physically demanding. However, the cost of solar power has been trending downward as technology has improved and manufacturers have learned how to improve production efficiency. These pipes often carry materials at both high temperatures and high pressure. Real estate brokers are instrumental in procuring land on which to build power plants. However, photovoltaic solar plants recently started generating electricity in California, Illinois, New Jersey, Nevada, and Florida. BLS does not currently have wage data specific to the solar power industry. Special coatings, such as titanium oxide, make solar panels less reflective and therefore able to absorb more sunlight (or lose less sunlight.). (See diagram 2. The process begins with the production of cylinders of silicon or other semiconducting materials, which are called ingots. Experience working with relevant government agencies, such as the Bureau of Land Management, is also desirable. They install, maintain, and repair these complex systems.
As a lead on a project you will be responsible for working with installation team from start to finish on a project ensuring that the project is completed to set plans. For example, new materials have been developed that allow for low-cost and lightweight thin-film solar panels that are less expensive to produce and easier to transport than glass- or laminate-coated solar panels. Concentrating solar power (CSP) plants require more workers than photovoltaic plants; photovoltaic plants can sometimes even be run remotely. Primary office responsibilities include management of permits, contracts, and the budget. However, BLS does track wage data for the Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing industry group, which includes production of solar panels. Assessors may take readings of sunlight at a proposed location, review weather patterns, and calculate potential costs and savings. Semiconductor processors test completed cells and perform diagnostic analyses. Roofers install and repair roofs, and they ensure that any cuts or holes made in the roof during the installation of solar panels and mounting racks are properly repaired and sealed. The wages shown are median annual wages for the United States as a whole; wages vary by employer and location. Workers in more skilled positions, such as computer-controlled machine tool operators, may attend formal training programs or apprenticeships. Civil engineers have at least a bachelor's degree in civil or structural engineering. Site assessors determine how much energy can be harvested at a particular location and then make recommendations based on that assessment. Photovoltaic plants are less complex, but are a challenge for engineers to design because the panels are optimally configured to efficiently harvest solar power. CNC operators use machines to mass-produce components that require highly precise cutting. Solar power is a versatile means of generating electricity. The transfer material is pumped into storage tanks that can contain the heat for up to a day. BLS does not currently have wage data specific to the solar power industry. Currently, many large solar plants in the United States have been built onor are proposed to be built onfederal lands, so brokers have to work with the Bureau of Land Management to obtain leases for these properties. Photovoltaic panels have traditionally been used for smaller scale electricity generation, particularly for residential or commercial use in individual buildings or complexes, while CSP is used for utility-scale electricity generation in solar power plants. They determine which machines will be used, whether new machines need to be purchased, when overtime shifts are necessary, and how to improve the production process. Plumbers install solar water heating systems. They can help determine if solar power will be a cost-effective way to generate energy in a particular area by studying past weather patterns and using computers to create models of expected weather activity. 
