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Emerging Job| Solar Energy Engineer | These experts are also called alternative energy
engineers, photovoltaic (PV) design engineers or solar array
engineers. They work in the manufacturing, construction, and maintenance of solar power materials and solar energy plants. They also specialise in the process of utilising sunlight to create electricity. |
| Solar Project Developer | This role involves project managing new solar
ventures and developing a pipeline of utility-scale solar PV plants. Solar project developers plan, monitor and report on projects. They also manage the relationship with various stakeholders. These could include local government, suppliers and power companies. Most solar project developers have a sound, technical background in the solar industry. Experience of large-scale projects is also preferred. |
OSCA Codes
OSCA ID:
381231Alternative names: Solar Photovoltaic
Installer, Solar PV Installer, Solar Panel Technician,
Solar Installer, Renewable Energy Systems Installer,
Specialisations: Home Installer, Solar Panel Farm Installer,
Building Solar Panel Installer
Knowledge, skills and attributes
- Knowledge of electrical systems
- Good maths skills
- Design skills and understanding
- Good attention to detail
- Analytical thinking skills
- Ability to work well with others
- Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.
(Source:
Owlguru)
Duties and Tasks
style=">Solar Installer Job Responsibilities
One of the most important aspects of a solar installer's role is the
design and planning of the project site. Before the project can start, a
full review of the structure is conducted, including an audit of the
current electrical system and development of any site-specific safety
precautions. The project is then designed based on the shading and
structural qualities of the site and the type of photovoltaic system
being installed. After the design and specifications are finalized, the
permits are obtained from the relevant local or state governments. If
the installer does not do these preparations themselves, they must
become familiar with the permits and arrangements before they begin
working on it.
Once installation starts, essential safety equipment, such as a harness and anchor system, must be set up to protect the installer from falls. Sometimes, the roof will have to be reinforced to support the solar modules; this may involve upgrading materials, replacing rafters, or introducing backings to handle the weight of the modules. The markings must be made to show exactly where each module will be placed, and holes are drilled in the roof to attach the mounting framework. After the mounting is in place, the solar panels can be installed. Extreme caution is taken during installation because the modules are delicate, costly, and weigh about 18K each. Installers do not want to be on the hook for modules that need repair or substitution because of damage during the installation process.
Solar Installers' main tasks include installing solar systems, repair and maintenance of solar electrical systems, and estimating work requirements for quotes.
- Assess locations to ensure they are suitable for solar panels
- Measure up areas for installation
- Make adjustments to building surfaces so panels fit and are adequately supported
- Install and maintain solar panels on homes, business premises or open land
- Install active solar systems, including solar collectors, concentrators, pumps, or fans.
- Connect solar panels to an electrical system
- Ground electrical equipment and check wiring
- Adhere to strict health and safety guidelines
- Perform maintenance checks and fix solar panels on modules, arrays, batteries, power conditioning equipment, safety systems, structural systems, weather sealing, or balance of systems equipment.
- Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment.
- Use a variety of technical equipment and tools
- Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
- Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
- Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment.
- Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.
- Identify methods for laying out, orienting, and mounting modules or arrays to ensure efficient installation, electrical configuration, or system maintenance.
- Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.
- Demonstrate system functionality and performance, including start-up, shut-down, normal operation, and emergency or bypass operations.
- Compile or maintain records of system operation, performance, and maintenance.
(Source:
RiotACT)
Working Conditions
Solar panel technicians have a tough job. Mainly, they’re responsible for assembling, installing, and fixing solar panels on roofs. Their jobs are physically demanding. They have to lift and carry heavy things, and be able to climb buildings and other high places, so they can’t be afraid of heights. Solar panel technicians also need to be smart. Not only do they install solar panels, they also have to figure out how to do so without harming the structural integrity of buildings, and how to orient the panels so they get as much sunlight as possible. They also have to repair them when they’re damaged. On top of that, these technicians have to be aware of federal and local building codes that govern solar panels, so they are in compliance with the law.
Many new PV installers begin by performing basic tasks, such as
installing support structures and placing PV panels or PV shingles on
top of them. Once the panels are in place, more-experienced installers
usually perform more-complex duties, such as connecting electrical
components.
Depending on the job and state laws, PV installers may connect the solar
panels to the electric grid, although electricians sometimes perform
this duty. Once the panels are installed, workers check the electrical
systems for proper wiring, polarity, and grounding, and they also
perform maintenance as needed.
Because photovoltaic (PV) panels convert sunlight into electricity, most
PV installation is done outdoors. Residential installers work on
rooftops and in attics and crawl spaces to connect panels to the
electric grid. PV installers who build solar farms work at ground level
and need to build structures to hold the PV panel framework.
PV installers may work alone or as part of a team. Installation of solar
panels may require the help of roofers and electricians, as well as
solar photovoltaic installers.
They are in charge of safely attaching the modules to the roofs
of houses or other buildings and guaranteeing that the entire systems
works. Solar PV installers are expected to work with a variety of tools
(both electronic and mechanical), have knowledge of electrical wiring,
and possess basic math skills. At any given point, installers must be
ready to be problem solvers, ready to repair damaged systems or replace
malfunctioning components at the drop of a hat. Not surprisingly, safety
is a top priority when installing solar panels because of the height of
most projects and the high voltage that solar panels produce.
Solar PV installers can either be self-employed as general contractors
or employed by solar panel installation companies. Self-employed
installers typically have training and experience with installing a
variety of solar power systems and are hired directly by the property
owners or by a project development firm. Installation companies
typically specialize in installing a certain type of module, and may
also provide some maintenance and repair services. When a solar panel
system is purchased, installers may provide the buyer with maintenance
and repair work to complete themselves.
Tools and technologies
Solar PV panels convert sunlight to electricity, and PV installers put these systems in place. PV installers use a variety of hand and power tools to install PV panels. They often use drills, wrenches, saws, and screwdrivers to connect panels to frames, wires, and support structures
Education and training/entrance requirements
You can gain the qualifications you need by TAFE course and an apprenticeship. You may find work as an electrician’s mate, assistant,or trainee electrician. Your employer may support you to train to become fully qualified and then you can go on to gain further qualifications and specialise in solar panel installation.
Employment Opportunities
This is an emerging job and as such has great potential in Australia.
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Australian Scientia Professor Martin Green
CAMEO
(20 July 1948 - ) Pioneer of the PERC Solar Cell  Prof. Martin Green with PERC Solar Cell (Source: Pause Awards) Scientia Professor Martin Green has accomplished a lot in his 50 years at UNSW Sydney. Professor Green is a world-leading specialist in silicon solar cells, and the research group he founded at UNSW is the largest and best-known university-based photovoltaic research group in the world. He led the team that invented and perfected the Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact (PERC) solar cell and the team that first demonstrated the Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) cells. Together, these cells account for more than 90 per cent of solar cells manufactured in the world today. He’s also trained more than 120 PhD students, many of whom have been responsible for establishing large-scale solar cell manufacturing in China, building the global industry and being pivotal in dramatically lowering the costs of solar energy. Despite his lifetime of achievements, which include the Japan Prize, Millennium Technology Prize, Global Energy Prize and the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, Prof. Green has no intention of resting on his laurels (or laureates). He believes the next energy revolution is upon us, as we transition into an age of renewable energy. https://youtu.be/_-LHJfEWUcM?si=EXpDaHtSKZyjUaR- Martin Andrew Green AM FRS FAA (born 20 July 1948) is an Australian engineer who specialises in photovoltaics. He is a Scientia Professor of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he directs the Australian Centre for Advanced Photovoltaics. Green is best known for his development of the Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC) in 1983, a technology that significantly increased the conversion efficiency of silicon solar cells, reduced the cost of solar energy and powers over 90% of all solar panels globally today. Education Green was born in Camp Hill, Queensland on 20 July 1948, and was educated at the selective Brisbane State High School where he graduated as Dux of the school in 1965. At the University of Queensland, he completed a Bachelor of Engineering in 1970 and a Master of Engineering in 1972. He then completed his PhD on a Commonwealth Scholarship at McMaster University in Canada, supervised by John Shewchun, where he demonstrated that traditional silicon solar cell p-n junctions could be advantageously replaced by tunnelling metal-insulator-semiconductor structures. In 1974, at the University of New South Wales, he set up the Australia's first solar research lab, the Solar Photovoltaics Group, which worked on the development of silicon solar cells.[2][19] In the late 1970s, his group was developing world record cell voltages by using tunnel oxide passivated contacts (now known as TOPCon). In 1983, using the tunnelling approach, Green and Andrew Blakers developed the first 18% efficient silicon cell, surpassing the previous record of 16.5%.[20] Since then, his team has developed the world's first 19%, 20%, 21%, 23%, 24% and 25% efficient silicon cells, which were amongst his 14 successive world records in the area.[6] In 1983, he developed the Passivated Emitter and Rear Cell (PERC), a solar cell with passivated emitter and rear surfaces. In 1989, his team published the first paper on PERC technology, which had 22.8% efficiency, the highest ever reported for a silicon cell.[21] As of 2021, his PERC solar cell that he invented accounts for 91.2% of worldwide silicon solar module production.
Professor Martin Green’s contributions to photovoltaics are
unique internationally. He is widely considered the "father of
modern photovoltaics", and has won many prizes and awards
achievements such as Pawsey Medal in 1981, the M. A. Sargent Medal
in 1994, the Japan Prize in 2021 and the Millennium Technology Prize
in 2022. Green is one of the world's most highly cited researchers
(top 0.1% in field) and has been an author or co-author of over 800
research papers in the field of photovoltaics. He is editor-in-chief
of the academic journal Progress in Photovoltaics and holds
fellowships with the Royal Society of London, the Australian Academy
of Science, the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering and
the Royal Society of New South Wales. His work has resulted in a massive, over 50%, relative improvement in the energy conversion efficiency of the commercially dominant silicon solar cells from 1983 to 2008, with these improvements now captured commercially. Such improved silicon cell efficiency has been identified as the key factor in recent photovoltaic cost reductions (Kavlak et al., 2018), now making solar “one of the lowest cost sources of electricity in history” (IEA, 2020) and the key weapon in recent climate change mitigation strategies (IEA, 2021; IPCC, 2022). Green was first to describe, and his team the first to develop and experimentally demonstrate, two fundamentally different approaches to improving silicon cell performance that now underpin all modern silicon cell designs. Silicon cells dominate an annually increasing 96% of the global solar market, valued at US$308 billion in 2022 (Bloomberg, 2023). These approaches were used by his team to demonstrate the world’s first 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 23%, 24% and 25% efficient silicon cells, amongst the 14 successive world records in this area that his team established. With his 3rd PhD student, the late Stuart Wenham, he also pioneered the now widespread use of lasers in cell processing and the development and first large-scale commercialisation of Cu plating to replace the ultimately unsustainable use of Ag for solar cell metallisation (BP Solar’s “Saturn” cell and Suntech’s “Pluto” cells). Pause Awards '21 – Hall of Fame: Scientia Professor Martin A
Green
Extra Resources that you can look up
Energy & Distribution News: 5 Minutes With: Scientia Professor
Martin Green
Articles from The Conversation
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Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs
Materials sourced from
Owl Guru [Solar
Panel Installer; ]
Ecotechtraining [Solar
Panel Installer; ]
Collegegrad [Solar
Panel Installer; ]
GoConstruct [Solar
Panel Installer; ]
TryEngineering [Solar
Panel Technician; ]
National Skills Commission [Solar
Installers; ]
