Renewable energy is a growing market that will only increase as the UK transitions towards net zero. In fact, the latest data from MCS has revealed that the number of PV installations from January to March 2023 increased by 114% from the previous year.
For those considering training as solar installers, this presents a massive opportunity to cash in on a profitable industry.
But before you pick up your tools, you first need to understand some of the industry's requirements and what it will really be like working as a solar installer.
Technically you do not need a qualification to install solar panels, in fact, some homeowners even attempt to do it themselves. However, in practice, if you want to operate as a solar installer and find work, you will need to be officially qualified to do so.
We recommend gaining the following qualifications before advertising your services:
Technically, you do not need to be an electrician to install solar panels, in fact any person can install solar panels, however, connecting the solar energy supply to the mains electricity network requires a qualified electrician.
In most cases, solar installations are completed by a team of electricians often with the help of a roofer (if the panels are installed on a roof).
However if you're a homeowner and want to give it a go on your own, this article at the Renewable Energy Hub has some helpful tips to get you started. But we take no responsibility if things don't go to plan.
To work on solar installations you should first qualify as an electrician and then specialise in solar installs. You can either do this by taking a college course or by completing an apprenticeship.
At college, start by gaining your standard electrical qualifications. Coming in with no previous experience you will need to take:
If you don’t fancy studying at college an apprenticeship is a great way to learn the practical skills while on the job.
Typically an apprenticeship takes around 2 years to complete and will allow you to become qualified as an electrician.
You can find out more about apprenticeship options via the Gov Apprentice website.
Once you’ve completed your college training or your apprenticeship you should consider taking a specialist solar installation course.
There are various options available to you, each varying in price. It’s worth doing a bit of research before signing up for a course, but these three are both good options to consider
The cost of becoming a solar installer will vary depending on what stage you are at in your training. If you are just starting out the total cost is far higher than if you’re already a qualified electrician.
From scratch:
Training as a solar panel installer with no previous electrical experience will cost you around £8,000 to £10,000 (if you take college courses, apprentice fees will likely be cheaper).
With experience, costs will be significantly lower depending on which stage of your training you are at. If you’re already a qualified electrician and you join a specialist solar installation company they may even cover the cost of your training for you.
The time it takes to become a solar technician can be broken down into the different stages of training.
The level 2 diploma takes approximately 8 weeks, the level 3 also takes 8 weeks and the NVQ takes between 3 to 24 months. Most solar installation courses last from 3 to 5 days, so in total if you were to complete all 4 courses one after the other, the quickest you could become qualified would be 7 months 3 days.
However, in reality, completing all these assessments and gaining the necessary experience is likely to take over a year as a minimum.
Based on data from four different job sites (Talent, Adzuna, Reed and Totaljobs) the average salary for a solar panel installer is £37,912. However, salaries will vary depending on your location. For example, on average electricians tend to earn more in Sheffield than in London.
Check out our article on which electricians make the most money for a full breakdown of what you can expect to earn as a solar technician from across the UK.
The demand for solar energy is as high as it’s ever been, but what is it actually like working as an installer and are the job opportunities as good as they sound?
Currently, there are 2,286 qualified contractors installing PV in the UK (May 2023), that’s a 66% increase from the following year. And there’s a reason so many electricians are joining the industry. The work is well paid and is good value for the time it takes.
As a career, it’s a good combination of practical work and technical skill which makes it an interesting and varied job.
As an installer, you also need to have an understanding of building regulations and be prepared to do some paperwork. One aspect of the job involves contacting the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to let them know the install is complete. So if you don’t like doing paperwork you should bare this in mind.
Given the massive increase in people joining the industry, you may be concerned that the market will quickly become saturated, however, with the current push towards renewable energy and the increased cost of energy bills, the demand for solar installers is greater than ever.
One issue that is currently facing the industry in 2023 is a materials shortage, something that is affecting all the skilled trades. In the solar industry, there is currently a large shortage of panels being produced from China meaning it can be difficult to get hold of the panels for the install.
This may make it more difficult if you’re starting out on your own, however, if you join an established company this is less likely to be an issue.
Advantages of the industry:
Possible disadvantages:
Once you’ve decided to get qualified and start work as a PV installer you need to think about how you’re going to manage your new customers.
The best way to organise your business and provide the best experience for your customers is to use a high-quality CRM and job management software.
Payaca provides market market-leading CRM software, with features such as customised automatisation and multiple choice quoting designed for businesses like yours.
Check out our testimonials and browse our website to find out how we can help your solar business succeed and grow.
If you're intersted in other forms of green energy, check out our blog why you should become a heat pump installer.
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