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Solar Tech

Noncredit Certificate



Program Details

The SolarTech Certificate of Completion is designed for students who desire to develop the skills needed to work in a number of solar photovoltaic disciplines. The two courses in the Program are designed to fit into a 18-week, 50-hour period. The Program is an excellent way to gain initial employment in these fields primarily as a solar panel installer, including wireless monitoring systems; and, to a significant extent, logistics, sales, marketing and maintenance & operations. Course (CLOs) and Program (PLOs) Learning Objectives are assessed through a series of examinations culminating with the NABCEP PV Associates and OSHA 10 Construction Safety exams. They include: Use of construction tools safely and efficiently; Demonstrate knowledge of photovoltaic system components and systems; Demonstrate knowledge of electrical, building, and fire codes; Demonstrate knowledge of Cal OSHA safety regulations and their application to rooftop solar installations; Calculate a cash flow analysis, including tax credits and other incentives, that projects payback on a PV system investment; Demonstrate understanding of the impact on the environment of gird-tied photovoltaic systems.

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Solar Tech Pathways

Pathways listed below are for the catalog year 2025-2026. Maps for previous years are available on each pathway page. What is a catalog year?

Featured Careers

Find your calling. Explore high-earning careers with entry-level data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

All Careers in Solar Tech (61)

Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree, Master's degreeRising167,740
Biofuels/Biodiesel Technology and Product Development ManagersBachelor's degree, Master's degreeRising167,740
Computer Hardware EngineersBachelor's degree, Master's degreeRising155,020
Wind Energy Development ManagersBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeRising136,550
Wind Energy Operations ManagersAssociate's degree, Bachelor's degreeRising136,550
Software Developers- n/aRising133,080
Electronics EngineersBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeRising127,590
Chemical EngineersBachelor's degreeRising121,860
Biofuels Production ManagersBachelor's degree, Some collegeStable121,440
Biomass Power Plant ManagersBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeStable121,440
Geothermal Production ManagersSome college, Certificate after high schoolStable121,440
Hydroelectric Production ManagersCertificate after high school, Associate's degreeStable121,440
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and SolarBachelor's degree, Certificate after collegeStable117,750
Engineers, All Other- n/a- n/a117,750
Mechatronics EngineersBachelor's degree, Some collegeStable117,750
Microsystems EngineersMaster's degree, Bachelor's degreeStable117,750
Nanosystems EngineersDoctoral degree, Bachelor's degreeStable117,750
Photonics EngineersBachelor's degree, Master's degreeStable117,750
Robotics EngineersBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeStable117,750
Solar Energy Systems EngineersBachelor's degree, Certificate after high schoolStable117,750
Wind Energy EngineersBachelor's degree, Master's degreeStable117,750
Electrical EngineersBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeRising111,910
Bioengineers & Biomedical EngineersBachelor's degree, Master's degreeRising106,950
Engineering Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral degree, Post-doctoral trainingRising106,120
Materials ScientistsBachelor's degree, Doctoral degreeRising104,160
Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeRising102,320
Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree, Some collegeRising101,140
Manufacturing EngineersBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeRising101,140
Project Management Specialists- n/aRising100,750
Solar Sales Representatives & AssessorsAssociate's degree, Bachelor's degreeStable100,070
Physics Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral degree, Master's degreeStable97,360
Computer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryMaster's degree, Doctoral degreeRising96,690
Environmental Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral degree, Post-doctoral trainingStable87,710
Logistics EngineersBachelor's degreeRising80,880
Fashion DesignersBachelor's degree, Associate's degreeStable80,690
Aerospace Engineering & Operations Technologists & TechniciansCertificate after high school, Associate's degreeRising79,830
Commercial and Industrial DesignersBachelor's degree, Some collegeStable79,450
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades & Extraction Workers- n/aRising78,690
Solar Energy Installation ManagersHigh school diploma/GED, No high school diploma/GEDRising78,690
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersHigh school diploma/GED, Some collegeStable78,300
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other- n/a- n/a77,390
Non-Destructive Testing SpecialistsHigh school diploma/GEDStable77,390
Photonics TechniciansAssociate's degree, High school diploma/GEDStable77,390
Electrical & Electronic Engineering Technologists & Technicians- n/aStable77,180
Stationary Engineers & Boiler OperatorsCertificate after high school, High school diploma/GEDStable75,190
Calibration Technologists & Technicians- n/aRising65,040
Nanotechnology Engineering Technologists & Technicians- n/aStable64,790
Mobile Heavy Equipment MechanicsCertificate after high school, High school diploma/GEDRising63,980
Industrial Machinery MechanicsCertificate after high school, High school diploma/GEDRising63,760
Solar Thermal Installers & TechniciansHigh school diploma/GED, Some collegeRising62,970
Wind Turbine Service TechniciansCertificate after high school, High school diploma/GEDRising62,580
Biofuels Processing TechniciansHigh school diploma/GED, Certificate after high schoolStable61,710
Lighting Technicians- n/aDeclining60,560
Maintenance Workers, MachineryCertificate after high school, High school diploma/GEDRising60,500
Electric Motor, Power Tool, & Related RepairersCertificate after high school, High school diploma/GEDStable53,990
Solar Photovoltaic InstallersCertificate after high school, High school diploma/GEDRising51,860
Geothermal TechniciansHigh school diploma/GED, Certificate after high schoolStable48,640
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other- n/a- n/a48,640
First-Line Supervisors of Helpers, Laborers, & Material Movers, HandHigh school diploma/GED, Some collegeStable
First-Line Supervisors of Material-Moving Machine & Vehicle OperatorsHigh school diploma/GED, Some collegeStable
First-Line Supervisors of Passenger Attendants- n/aStable

Program Pathways Mapper incorporates information from O*NET Web Services by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.