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Solar Panel Installer

Solar panel installers fit panels on roofs and buildings so homes and businesses can use energy from the sun. It's hands-on work that helps the UK shift away from fossil fuels.

Solar Panel Installer

4

Construction & Trades

AI IMPACT
AI CAN DO4%moving to49%
THE DOOR, NOWB
THE DOOR, 20 YRSC
STARTING PAY£25,000 - £30,000
PHYSICAL MOATThe work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it.
This job holds up well against AI
AI cannot yet do much of what this job actually involves, and the work is hands-on, in the real world. Software alone can't do it. That is about as safe as careers get right now, though it is still worth learning to use the tools well.

The role

As a solar panel installer, you fit solar panels on roofs and buildings. You start by checking whether a roof can take panels - looking at the angle, how much shade it gets, and whether the structure is strong enough. Then you install the panels, wire them up safely to the electrical system, and test everything works properly.

The job needs both physical strength and technical skills. You'll work at heights, use tools and machinery, and follow strict safety rules. You'll also explain to customers how their new system works and how to look after it. The work is different every day - no two buildings are the same - and there's solid demand for installers as the UK puts more solar panels on homes and businesses.

Daily responsibilities

  • Assessing installation sites for solar panel suitability and safety.
  • Installing solar panels on rooftops, ground mounts, and other structures.
  • Connecting solar systems to the electrical grid and ensuring compliance with regulations.
  • Conducting routine maintenance and repairs on existing solar installations.
  • Collaborating with clients to explain system functionality and maintenance requirements.
  • Performing site surveys and preparing detailed installation plans.
  • Utilizing tools and equipment safely and effectively to ensure high-quality installations.
  • Staying updated on industry trends and technological advancements.

Does a degree help here?

A UK degree in renewable energy, engineering, or environmental science can significantly enhance your prospects in this field. It not only provides you with essential technical knowledge but also demonstrates your commitment to sustainability, making you a more attractive candidate to employers.

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AI EXPOSURE = the share of a job's day-to-day tasks AI can already do today, from the same exposure engine used across this site (Anthropic labour market research, 2026, observed real-world AI usage by occupation). Higher means more exposed. It is a measurement of now, not a prediction. THE DOOR = how hard the job is to get into, grade A (easy) to E (extremely hard), from each career's published forecast (OpenAI, "The AI Jobs Transition Framework", Richmond 2026, CC BY 4.0). A card marked MOAT NOT YET CLASSIFIED has a real exposure score but no entry yet in our moat register, so we make no claim about what structurally protects it. Scorecard grades and verdicts are Careermash editorial judgment: we show forecasts as forecasts and own our conclusions. Salary and pathway figures are each career's own published profile. Careermash is a service provided by What School Ltd.

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