Will solar photovoltaic installers be replaced by AI?
Updated
Solar photovoltaic installers score 33 of 100 for AI exposure. The largest share of their task time, 55%, is work AI speeds up while they stay in charge. AI can take over 3% outright, and 42% stays with people.
- 3% AI can do it
- 55% AI helps
- 42% Needs a person
Moderate exposure
Lower than 57% of the 923 occupations we scored.
Task by task
We graded 26 tasks, listed here from most to least exposed. AI can do 1 of them today, speeds up 14 and leaves 11 to people.
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Compile or maintain records of system operation, performance, and maintenance. Logs and maintenance records are routine writing AI handles well. | 80% AI can do it |
| Diagram layouts and locations for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and equipment, including existing building or site features. Design software drafts layouts; installer verifies site features. | 60% AI helps |
| Examine designs to determine current requirements for all parts of the photovoltaic (PV) system electrical circuit. Current calculations from designs are routine; AI can draft them. | 58% AI helps |
| Determine materials, equipment, and installation sequences necessary to maximize installation efficiency. AI can draft material lists and install sequences; crew confirms. | 55% AI helps |
| Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment. Code sizing calculations are AI-assisted; engineer verifies and stamps. | 55% AI helps |
| Measure and analyze system performance and operating parameters to assess operating condition of systems or equipment. Monitoring data analysis is well suited to AI tools. | 55% AI helps |
| Determine photovoltaic (PV) system designs or configurations based on factors such as customer needs, expectations, and site conditions. Design tools generate options; customer needs need human judgment. | 55% AI helps |
| Determine connection interfaces for additional subpanels or for connecting photovoltaic (PV) systems with utility services or other power generation sources. Interconnection and subpanel planning documents are AI-assisted. | 50% AI helps |
| Select mechanical designs, installation equipment, or installation plans that conform to environmental, architectural, structural, site, and code requirements. AI can check designs against codes; site decisions stay human. | 50% AI helps |
| Identify methods for laying out, orienting, and mounting modules or arrays to ensure efficient installation, electrical configuration, or system maintenance. AI can suggest layouts and mounting methods; installer decides. | 45% AI helps |
Show the other 16 tasks
| Task | AI exposure |
|---|---|
| Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays. Solar mapping tools help; structural and site checks need visits. | 40% AI helps |
| Program, adjust, or configure inverters and controls for desired set points and operating modes. AI can guide inverter setup; device access stays hands-on. | 40% AI helps |
| Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations. AI can list hazards from checklists; site walk stays manual. | 35% AI helps |
| Install required labels on solar system components and hardware. AI can draft label text; physical application stays manual. | 30% AI helps |
| Visually inspect and test photovoltaic (PV) modules or systems. Image and thermal AI can flag defects; visual checks stay manual. | 30% AI helps |
| Identify and resolve any deficiencies in photovoltaic (PV) system installation or materials. Diagnosing faults is partly data-driven; repairs are physical. | 20% Needs a person |
| Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations. Physical checks of wiring, polarity, and grounding on site. | 18% Needs a person |
| Test operating voltages to ensure operation within acceptable limits for power conditioning equipment, such as inverters and controllers. Voltage testing needs hands-on meters on live equipment. | 15% Needs a person |
| Perform routine photovoltaic (PV) system maintenance on modules, arrays, batteries, power conditioning equipment, safety systems, structural systems, weather sealing, or balance of systems equipment. Routine maintenance is physical work on modules and equipment. | 15% Needs a person |
| Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions. Rooftop installation is hands-on; AI only helps with paperwork. | 12% Needs a person |
| Demonstrate system functionality and performance, including start-up, shut-down, normal operation, and emergency or bypass operations. Live demonstration of start-up, shutdown, and emergency operation. | 12% Needs a person |
| Activate photovoltaic (PV) systems to verify system functionality and conformity to performance expectations. Physical start-up and commissioning of the system on site. | 10% Needs a person |
| Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified. Physically assembling modules and support structures on site. | 8% Needs a person |
| Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation. Hands-on interconnect wiring and array isolation during install. | 6% Needs a person |
| Install active solar systems, including solar collectors, concentrators, pumps, or fans. Physical installation of collectors, pumps, and fans on site. | 6% Needs a person |
| Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms. Applying sealant and flashing is physical rooftop work. | 5% Needs a person |
How solar photovoltaic installers compare
All occupations (923)
Construction and extraction (61)
Pay and outlook in the US
- Median pay
- $53,140 a year, May 2025
- People employed
- 31,350 in the US, May 2025
- Projected change in jobs
- +36.5% from 2024 to 2034
Skills to build
- Verify AI-drafted array layouts against roof measurements on site
- Hold the NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification
- Check AI-drafted material lists in Microsoft Excel
- Schedule crews and deliveries in work scheduling software
- Apply roof flashing and weather sealing on array mounts
- Commission PV arrays and verify output on site
Safer roles nearby
5 related occupations with lower scores.
Questions about solar photovoltaic installers and AI
Will AI replace solar photovoltaic installers?
Partly. About 3 in 10 working hours go to tasks AI can already do, mostly compiling operation and maintenance records and drafting array layouts. Rooftop mounting, module assembly, interconnect wiring and start-up stay with installers because they need a person physically on the roof and at the array.
Which tasks AI is taking over for solar photovoltaic installers?
Compiling records of system operation and maintenance scores 80 on exposure, so AI can draft logs and service reports. Diagramming array layouts scores 60, since design software drafts the site plan and the installer only checks roof features. Current calculations from designs score 58, and AI can draft them from the schematic.
Which tasks stay human for solar photovoltaic installers?
Applying weather sealing scores 5 on exposure, because sealant and flashing go on manually on a roof. Installing module array interconnect wiring scores 6, since isolating live arrays needs a person at the panel. Assembling modules and support structures scores 8 and stays with crews working on site.
How can solar photovoltaic installers stay valuable as AI takes on paperwork?
Hold the NABCEP PV Installation Professional certification and keep rooftop skills current. Check every AI-drafted layout and material list against the site survey before crews start. Use work scheduling software and Microsoft Excel to confirm install sequences, then lead the crew through commissioning and verify output on the array.
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