Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Solar Photovoltaic Installers score 11 out of 100, which is low exposure to AI. That ranks #734 of 923 US occupations, where #1 is the most exposed. Of the 26 tasks in this job, AI could speed up 0 on its own and 6 more with extra software built on top of it. In April–May 2026, 1 of these tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, Anthropic's AI assistant.

11/ 100

Low

Rank: #734of 923 jobs
US workers: 31,350BLS, May 2025
Median pay: $53,140a year
In real AI use: 1 of 26tasks, April–May 2026

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

AI can speed this up on its own: 0 (0%)
AI can speed this up with extra software: 6 (23%)
Little or no AI speed-up: 20 (77%)

Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Visually inspect and test photovoltaic (PV) modules or systems.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Determine photovoltaic (PV) system designs or configurations based on factors such as customer needs, expectations, and site conditions.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Determine materials, equipment, and installation sequences necessary to maximize installation efficiency.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task
Compile or maintain records of system operation, performance, and maintenance.AI can speed this up with extra software · core task · Seen in real AI use
Diagram layouts and locations for photovoltaic (PV) arrays and equipment, including existing building or site features.AI can speed this up with extra software · supplemental task
Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Determine appropriate sizes, ratings, and locations for all system overcurrent devices, disconnect devices, grounding equipment, and surge suppression equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Install module array interconnect wiring, implementing measures to disable arrays during installation.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Identify methods for laying out, orienting, and mounting modules or arrays to ensure efficient installation, electrical configuration, or system maintenance.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Examine designs to determine current requirements for all parts of the photovoltaic (PV) system electrical circuit.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Test operating voltages to ensure operation within acceptable limits for power conditioning equipment, such as inverters and controllers.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Identify and resolve any deficiencies in photovoltaic (PV) system installation or materials.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Program, adjust, or configure inverters and controls for desired set points and operating modes.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Install required labels on solar system components and hardware.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Determine connection interfaces for additional subpanels or for connecting photovoltaic (PV) systems with utility services or other power generation sources.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Perform routine photovoltaic (PV) system maintenance on modules, arrays, batteries, power conditioning equipment, safety systems, structural systems, weather sealing, or balance of systems equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Install active solar systems, including solar collectors, concentrators, pumps, or fans.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Activate photovoltaic (PV) systems to verify system functionality and conformity to performance expectations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Demonstrate system functionality and performance, including start-up, shut-down, normal operation, and emergency or bypass operations.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Measure and analyze system performance and operating parameters to assess operating condition of systems or equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
Select mechanical designs, installation equipment, or installation plans that conform to environmental, architectural, structural, site, and code requirements.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task

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Questions about solar photovoltaic installers and AI

Will AI replace solar photovoltaic installers?

Unlikely. Most of the work is hard for today's AI to speed up. Solar Photovoltaic Installers score 11 out of 100 (low exposure), #734 of 923 US jobs. AI could speed up 6 of the job's 26 tasks, 0 of them on its own, while 20 see little or no speed-up. Exposure means the work is likely to change, not that the job will disappear.

Which solar photovoltaic installers tasks can AI do?

The most exposed tasks include "Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays"; "Visually inspect and test photovoltaic (PV) modules or systems"; "Determine photovoltaic (PV) system designs or configurations based on factors such as customer needs, expectations, and site conditions".

Which solar photovoltaic installers tasks are hardest for AI?

Tasks with little or no AI speed-up include "Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions"; "Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified"; "Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms".

Are people already using AI for this work?

Yes. In April–May 2026, 1 of the 26 tasks showed up in real conversations with Claude, according to the Anthropic Economic Index.

How many people work as solar photovoltaic installers, and what do they earn?

About 31,350 people in the US, with median pay of $53,140 a year (BLS, May 2025).

How to read this score. Exposure measures how much of the work AI could speed up, not whether the job will disappear. A highly exposed job can change shape, with people spending less time on routine tasks and more on the rest. The score counts tasks AI can speed up on its own in full, and tasks that need extra software at half weight.

The ratings come from published research based on GPT-4 (2023). To show what's happening now, each task is also checked against the latest Anthropic Economic Index, which records which tasks people actually use AI for. That data is refreshed automatically when Anthropic publishes a new release. Read the full method.

Solar Photovoltaic Installers

Task by task

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Questions about solar photovoltaic installers and AI

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