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Solar Panel Fitter

View this career for different education levels:

Primary Secondary Post-16

A Solar Panel Fitter installs and connects solar panels on roofs and buildings. They work with electrical and mounting systems, check for safety, and test that the panels produce power properly. Training often includes selecting panels, wiring them safely, and following building and electrical regulations. Work can involve outdoor physical tasks and climbing roofs, and you usually work as part of a small team or with electricians and building staff.

Solar Panel Fitter

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📊 Statistics

Typical salary

Average UK salary ranges from around 25,000 to 40,000 pounds per year, depending on experience and location.

Positions available

There are several thousand solar installer roles across the UK, with more vacancies as the country expands its solar farms and home installations.

Skill growth

Demand is growing as more households and businesses install solar panels, offering opportunities for progression into supervisory or technical technician roles.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Solar Panel Installer Helper

Assists fitter by carrying tools, checking panels and helping to fix them on roofs with supervision

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Junior Electrical Maintenance Assistant

Learns basic electrical safety and helps in keeping electrical bits tidy and safe under a supervisor

Roofing Apprentice

Learns how to safely work on roofs with a qualified roofer and helps with placing and securing panels

Stage 1: Learn the basics

Understand what solar panels do

Learn how solar panels turn sunlight into electricity and why they are useful.

Start with simple explanations and pictures. Talk to a science teacher or family member about energy and roofs. Learn basic vocabulary like panel, roof, sun, electricity.

Explore safety basics

Learn simple safety rules for working on roofs and with electrical parts.

Know to wear a helmet and non slip shoes. Never touch live wires. Learn to ask an adult for help when unsure.

Find local courses or guides

Look for beginner courses or online guides about solar energy and fitting.

Ask a parent, guardian or teacher to help find kid friendly resources. Use aim high guides about renewable energy.

Stage 2: Build practical skills

Learn basic hand tools

Practice using simple tools like a screwdriver, tape measure and level.

Safety first: read the manual, keep tools organised, and get an adult to supervise. Build small projects at home with supervision.

Understand mounting and wiring

See how panels are attached to roofs and how wires run safely.

Use pictures or videos to visualise. Start with mock setups and do not handle real wiring until trained.

Practice measurement and maths

Measure spaces and calculate simple layouts for panels.

Learn about inches and centimetres, and how to plan where panels will go.

Stage 3: Get formal training

Join a recognised training course

Attend a course that teaches solar installation basics and health and safety.

Look for courses aimed at beginners and apprentices. Ask schools or local colleges for options.

Earn a basic electrical awareness or apprenticeship

Work towards a certificate and learn on the job with a mentor.

Apprenticeships combine classroom learning with real workplace practice. You’ll learn about circuits, safety, and panel systems.

Gain hands on supervised practice

Practice installing panels under the guidance of an experienced fitter.

Shadow experienced workers, help with simple tasks, and build confidence before working alone.

Stage 4: Enter the industry

Find an apprentice or junior role

Apply for positions with solar companies or builders who install panels.

Show interest in renewable energy and be ready to learn. A portfolio of small projects can help.

Develop on the job skills

Work on real installations and learn from supervisors.

Ask questions, take notes, and gradually take on more complex tasks such as wiring checks and panel mounting.

Keep up to date with safety and standards

Learn the latest safety rules and building standards.

Renewable energy rules can change. Read guidance from industry bodies and follow best practices.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Solar Panel Fitter. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

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Career Progressions

No career progressions found for

Sample Qualifications

Both involve installing photovoltaic panels, mounting them securely, and wiring them into inverters or storage systems. They require knowledge of PV systems, electrical safety, and the ability to work at heights and to follow installation standards.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
  • applying directly

College

You’ll usually need an electrical qualification to work as an installer.

You could do a college course to get some of the technical knowledge and skills that may help you get onto an apprenticeship, or to find a trainee installer position with a company.

Courses include:

  • electrical installation
  • electronic and electrical engineering
  • electrical wiring regulations (18th edition)
  • T Level in Building Services Engineering for Construction

You may also need to complete a short course on the installation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, depending on your experience and any existing qualifications you hold.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

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Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an Installation and Maintenance Electrician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship with an installation or construction company.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

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Work

You could start as an installation labourer, working with qualified installers, and do training on the job with the support of your employer.

If you’re a qualified electrician you could take a short training course in the installation and maintenance of small solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. This would allow you to fit solar panels and connect them to a building's electrical mains network.

You could take solar PV training to fit solar panels to buildings if you’re a qualified roofer. You'll still need to work with an electrician to connect the panels to a building’s power system.

Check with training providers to find out about the courses they offer and which might be best for you.

Direct Application

You could apply directly for jobs if you have experience and qualifications in electrical installation and maintenance.

More Information

Registration

Career tips

You can demonstrate that you work to industry quality standards by applying to have your installation skills recognised through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).

You can also extend this to other renewable technologies, like solar heating, battery storage and heat pumps, if you work in those areas.

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a solar panel installer from:

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