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Renewables & Solar Jobs

Build your career in clean energy — solar, wind, and battery storage roles across the US.

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Key Renewables & Solar Capabilities

The skills and strengths employers look for in this field.

PV System Installation

Mounting racking, panels, inverters, and combiner boxes on residential, commercial, and utility-scale sites, including roof and ground-mount arrays.

Electrical Wiring & Interconnection

DC/AC wiring, conduit runs, terminations, grounding, and grid interconnection in line with the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Working at Height & Fall Protection

Safe rooftop and turbine work using harnesses, ladders, and lift equipment under OSHA fall-protection standards.

Battery Storage (BESS)

Commissioning, maintaining, and troubleshooting lithium-ion storage systems integrated with solar and the grid.

Troubleshooting & O&M

Diagnosing faults in inverters, modules, and monitoring systems; performing preventive maintenance and performance testing.

System Design & Engineering

Sizing arrays, modeling energy yield, producing layouts and single-line diagrams, and preparing permit and interconnection packages.

Blueprint & Code Compliance

Reading electrical and construction drawings and ensuring work meets NEC, local AHJ, and utility requirements.

Renewables & Solar Market Overview

The US renewables sector is one of the fastest-growing areas of the electrical trades, driven by federal incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act, falling equipment costs, and rising demand for solar, wind, and battery storage. The Bureau of Labor Statistics consistently ranks solar photovoltaic installer and wind turbine service technician among the fastest-growing occupations in the country.

Solar hiring spans residential rooftop crews, commercial and utility-scale projects, and operations and maintenance (O&M) teams. Roles range from entry-level installers and technicians to licensed solar electricians, NABCEP-certified professionals, and degree-qualified design and project engineers. Wind employment is concentrated in regions with strong onshore capacity such as Texas, the Midwest, and the Great Plains, with a growing offshore pipeline along the East Coast.

Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are an increasingly important specialism, creating demand for technicians who can commission, maintain, and troubleshoot lithium-ion storage paired with solar and grid assets. Employers typically value hands-on electrical experience, safety certification, and willingness to travel or work at height.

Pay varies widely by role, region, certification, and whether work is residential or utility-scale. Licensed solar electricians and certified installers command premiums, while design engineers and project managers sit at the higher end of the range.

Renewables & Solar Salary Guide

Indicative ranges — actual pay varies by location, experience and employer.

RoleTypical Salary (USD/yr)Experience
Solar Installer / Apprentice$38,000 - $48,000Entry level
Solar PV Installer$45,000 - $60,0001-3 years
Solar Electrician (licensed)$60,000 - $85,000Licensed, 3+ years
Wind Turbine Technician$52,000 - $72,000Entry to mid
Battery Storage Technician$55,000 - $80,000Mid level
Solar Design Engineer$70,000 - $100,000Degree, 2-5 years
O&M / Field Service Supervisor$75,000 - $100,000Senior
Renewables Project Manager$90,000 - $130,000Senior

Ranges are indicative for the US market and vary by state, project type (residential vs. utility-scale), certification, and overtime. Figures reflect BLS data and employer postings; solar PV installers and wind turbine technicians remain among the fastest-growing occupations nationally.

Professional Bodies & Qualifications

NABCEP PVIP

NABCEP PV Installation Professional

The leading US solar certification from the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners, widely recognized for experienced PV installers.

NABCEP PVA

NABCEP PV Associate

Entry-level credential demonstrating foundational knowledge of PV system design and installation.

OSHA

OSHA 10 / OSHA 30

Occupational safety training required on most construction and solar job sites; OSHA 30 is common for supervisors and leads.

State Electrical License (Journeyman / Master)

Required to perform licensed electrical work; licensing is administered at the state level and often needed for solar interconnection work.

GWO BST

Global Wind Organisation (GWO) Basic Safety Training

Industry-standard safety certification for wind turbine technicians, covering working at height, first aid, and rescue.

NFPA 70E

Standard for electrical safety in the workplace, covering arc flash and safe work practices relevant to storage and high-voltage work.

Career Path & Progression

1

Entry — Installer / Apprentice

Start as a solar installer or helper, learning racking, panel mounting, and basic electrical work on-site while building safety certifications.

2

Skilled Technician / Installer

Take on PV installation, wiring, and troubleshooting independently; pursue NABCEP certification and, where required, an electrical license.

3

Lead / Foreman

Run crews, manage quality and safety on-site, and coordinate installs; specialize in utility-scale, wind, or battery storage.

4

Design Engineer / Project Manager

Move into system design, estimating, or project management — owning schedules, budgets, and client or utility relationships.

5

Senior / Operations Leadership

Lead O&M operations, engineering teams, or regional project delivery across a portfolio of renewable assets.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to be a licensed electrician to work in solar?
Not for all roles. Many solar installer and technician jobs are entry-level and train on the job. However, final electrical connections and interconnection work typically must be performed or supervised by a licensed electrician, and licensing is regulated at the state level.
What certification is most valuable for solar careers?
NABCEP certifications are the most widely recognized in the US solar industry. The PV Associate is a good starting point, while the PV Installation Professional credential signals experience and often commands higher pay.
How much do solar and wind jobs pay?
Entry-level installers typically start around $38,000-$48,000, while licensed solar electricians, design engineers, and project managers can earn $70,000-$130,000+. Wind turbine technicians generally earn $52,000-$72,000. Pay varies by state, certification, and project type.
Is the renewables job market growing?
Yes. Solar PV installer and wind turbine technician are consistently among the fastest-growing occupations tracked by the BLS, supported by federal clean-energy incentives and falling technology costs.
What skills help me break into the industry?
Hands-on electrical or construction experience, OSHA safety training, comfort working at height, and a clean driving record (many roles require travel) all help. Employers also value willingness to earn NABCEP or GWO certification.
What is a battery storage technician?
A battery storage (BESS) technician commissions, maintains, and troubleshoots lithium-ion energy storage systems, often paired with solar arrays or grid assets. It's a growing specialism that typically builds on electrical and solar experience.
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