Everything Solar Forum

Hello everyone and happy new year!  Over the last 16 months I've started a low-income solar program at a non-profit in Kansas City.  As I like to say, I've learned how to go "from zero to solar" (doing a site survey, designing the system, contracts, working w/ structural engineers and electricians, filing paperwork with utility, doing the install, getting it inspected, etc.).  We've finally completed our first install and I'm looking forward to many more in 2024!  I think there is a strong possibility that we get another person soon to help with this, and so I'm thinking a lot about planning for this in regards to division of labor.  I guess my question is, for anyone familiar with the solar industry, what are some typical roles that may exist in a solar company that does complete installs?  What would be the responsibilities for each role?  Just trying to get some ideas.  Thank you for your thoughts!    

Congratulations Adam, great to hear you have completed your first install for your new low-income solar program.  Solar should be available to everyone, not just the well off.

I'm sure typical roles and responsibilities will vary based on local requirements and the size of the solar company, with larger companies defining more specialization among their employees, but here are some that I can think of that are relative to my smaller company for residential solar:

Sales and Marketing Manager - Identifies leads and opportunities for reaching customers. Responds to customer inquiries. Schedules in-home appointments. Creates content for website and blogs.

Solar Sales technician - Conducts in-home appointments, performs site surveys, creates proposals and contracts.

Designer/Engineer - Models PV system performance, specifies appropriate equipment, creates electrical and mechanical drawings.

Permit and Utility Technician - Identifies AHJ and local code requirements. Prepares permit applications, assembles supporting documentation. Prepares grid connection and net metering applications and agreements. Assembles owners manual at end of project.

Warehouse & Logistics Manager - Orders and receives equipment and supplies. Assembles parts kits for each job. 

Lead PV Installer - oversees onsite installation team. Establishes safety procedures. Coordinates equipment staging. Lays out the array. Mentors installation team members across all installation tasks. Programs the equipment and leads the commissioning of the system. Troubleshoots issues.

PV installer - takes direction from lead. Installs racking, modules, MLPE, PV wiring, inverters, disconnects, battery storage, etc.

Electrician - Pulls permits. Handles interconnection and AC wiring. Installs conduit, pulls and terminates conductors.

The above is a quick list. Of course in a very small organization one person will fulfill more than one role, maybe several. Also, the tasks for each role can vary depending on the skills each employee brings. If someone in sales can model the system performance and off-load that from the designer, great!

Hello everyone and happy new year!  Over the last 16 months I've started a low-income solar program at a non-profit in Kansas City.  As I like to say, I've learned how to go "from zero to solar" (doing a site survey, designing the system, contracts, working w/ structural engineers and electricians, filing paperwork with utility, doing the install, getting it inspected, etc.).  We've finally completed our first install and I'm looking forward to many more in 2024!  I think there is a strong possibility that we get another person soon to help with this, and so I'm thinking a lot about planning for this in regards to division of labor.  I guess my question is, for anyone familiar with the solar industry, what are some typical roles that may exist in a solar company that does complete installs?  What would be the responsibilities for each role?  Just trying to get some ideas.  Thank you for your thoughts!    

This is incredibly helpful, Ken, thank you so much for such a detailed breakdown!  Truly appreciated

Congratulations Adam, great to hear you have completed your first install for your new low-income solar program.  Solar should be available to everyone, not just the well off.

I'm sure typical roles and responsibilities will vary based on local requirements and the size of the solar company, with larger companies defining more specialization among their employees, but here are some that I can think of that are relative to my smaller company for residential solar:

Sales and Marketing Manager - Identifies leads and opportunities for reaching customers. Responds to customer inquiries. Schedules in-home appointments. Creates content for website and blogs.

Solar Sales technician - Conducts in-home appointments, performs site surveys, creates proposals and contracts.

Designer/Engineer - Models PV system performance, specifies appropriate equipment, creates electrical and mechanical drawings.

Permit and Utility Technician - Identifies AHJ and local code requirements. Prepares permit applications, assembles supporting documentation. Prepares grid connection and net metering applications and agreements. Assembles owners manual at end of project.

Warehouse & Logistics Manager - Orders and receives equipment and supplies. Assembles parts kits for each job. 

Lead PV Installer - oversees onsite installation team. Establishes safety procedures. Coordinates equipment staging. Lays out the array. Mentors installation team members across all installation tasks. Programs the equipment and leads the commissioning of the system. Troubleshoots issues.

PV installer - takes direction from lead. Installs racking, modules, MLPE, PV wiring, inverters, disconnects, battery storage, etc.

Electrician - Pulls permits. Handles interconnection and AC wiring. Installs conduit, pulls and terminates conductors.

The above is a quick list. Of course in a very small organization one person will fulfill more than one role, maybe several. Also, the tasks for each role can vary depending on the skills each employee brings. If someone in sales can model the system performance and off-load that from the designer, great!

Hello everyone and happy new year!  Over the last 16 months I've started a low-income solar program at a non-profit in Kansas City.  As I like to say, I've learned how to go "from zero to solar" (doing a site survey, designing the system, contracts, working w/ structural engineers and electricians, filing paperwork with utility, doing the install, getting it inspected, etc.).  We've finally completed our first install and I'm looking forward to many more in 2024!  I think there is a strong possibility that we get another person soon to help with this, and so I'm thinking a lot about planning for this in regards to division of labor.  I guess my question is, for anyone familiar with the solar industry, what are some typical roles that may exist in a solar company that does complete installs?  What would be the responsibilities for each role?  Just trying to get some ideas.  Thank you for your thoughts!