Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

• Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
• Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
• Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
• Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners.
• Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.
• Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
• Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.
• Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
• Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
• Perform routine maintenance or repairs to restore solar thermal systems to baseline operating conditions.
• Determine locations for installing solar subsystem components, including piping, water heaters, valves, and ancillary equipment.
• Design active direct or indirect, passive direct or indirect, or pool solar systems.
• Fill water tanks and check tanks, pipes, and fittings for leaks.
• Cut, miter, and glue piping insulation to insulate plumbing pipes and fittings.
• Connect water heaters and storage tanks to power and water sources.
• Apply operation or identification tags or labels to system components, as required.
• Install heat exchangers and heat exchanger fluids according to installation manuals and schematics.
• Install monitoring system components, such as flow meters, temperature gauges, and pressure gauges, according to system design and manufacturer specifications.
• Install plumbing, such as dip tubes, port fittings, drain tank valves, pressure temperature relief valves, or tanks, according to manufacturer specifications and building codes.
• Assess collector sites to ensure structural integrity of potential mounting surfaces or the best orientation and tilt for solar collectors.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians.

• Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
• Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians.