Summary of Solar Panel Installer Recruitment Market Information — November 2025
Quick snapshot up front: solar installer hiring remains strong across the U.S., with many employers offering entry-level roles that include paid training, stipends or apprenticeship wages, competitive benefits packages, and on-the-job certification pathways.
Market picture (where the jobs are, pay and demand)
🔹Work locations: Residential rooftop crews, commercial and utility-scale sites, training yards and dedicated installation campuses. Hot hiring states in 2025 include California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, New York and parts of the Mountain West — but remote and regional crews hire nationwide.
🔹Salary range: National median was about $51,860/year (May 2024); entry-level hires commonly start in the low-to-mid $30k–$45k range, while experienced installers, leads and specialty technicians can earn $60k–$80k+ depending on overtime and location. Hourly listings and company averages often show $20–$40/hour as a practical range.
🔹Demand: Solar PV installer roles continue to be one of the fastest-growing occupations — employers post regularly for entry-level and apprentice slots. Online job boards in October–November 2025 still list hundreds of “no experience / entry-level” installer openings.
Job types employers are advertising (good-for-beginners examples)
Employers are filling roles across a few practical models that are especially friendly to people without prior PV experience:
🔹Paid short training / stipend cohorts (bootcamps) — organizations like GRID Alternatives run paid multi-week installation basics programs that combine classroom, lab and field installs and often include weekly stipends and transportation help. These are built to move trainees straight into employer interviews or crew placements.
🔹Employer-sponsored entry hires with on-the-job training — many solar companies hire “junior installer” or “helper” roles that come with paid training and benefits. Large residential firms and national installers (listed on sites like Indeed) advertise health insurance, 401(k) matching and paid time off alongside “we train” language. These are practical for people who want to earn while learning on real jobsites.
🔹Registered apprenticeships and long-form employer training — DOL-registered apprenticeships or multi-year employer programs offer paid work hours, progressive pay steps and classroom instruction. Some regional employers run multi-year apprenticeship models that include thousands of paid on-the-job hours plus classroom time and licensure prep. These are best if a trainee wants a clear career ladder and higher long-term pay.
Real-life hiring examples
Below are 6 hottest real employers / programs that (as of current job listings and program pages) are actively hiring entry-level solar people and explicitly offer paid training, stipends, apprenticeships, or training routes. Each entry shows the role, typical pay/benefits advertised, what the paid training looks like, basic hiring requirements, and how to apply.
1) GRID Alternatives — SolarCorps / paid cohort fellowships
🔸Role / program: SolarCorps Fellowship (paid, apprenticeship-style cohort).
🔸What they offer: An 11-month paid fellowship with hands-on installation, mentoring, community projects and workforce support; designed for people with little or no prior PV experience. Some cohorts include a stipend and direct employer connections at graduation.
🔸Pay / benefits: Paid fellowship stipend (varies by cohort / region) + training, mentorship and job placement support. No prior experience required.
🔸Requirements: Willingness to do field work and community service; background checks may apply for placements.
🔸How to apply: See GRID Alternatives workforce pages / SolarCorps Fellowship for application windows and local cohort dates.
2) SunPower — Entry-Level Solar Installer (company hiring in multiple markets)
🔸Role: Solar Installer / Roofer — often advertised as entry-level with paid training.
🔸What they offer: Job listings commonly show $45k–$60k (location dependent) and explicitly list paid training on the job, health benefits and 401(k) eligibility for full-time hires. Some postings list in-house training and safety certification support.
🔸Pay / benefits: $45,000–$60,000 (example ranges from job boards), health/dental, PTO, on-the-job training.
🔸Requirements: Basic physical fitness, valid driver’s license for many crew roles; employers prefer safety-minded candidates but will train on PV tasks.
🔸How to apply: Apply on SunPower’s careers page or job boards (ZipRecruiter/Indeed) for “Solar Installer / Roofer — Entry-Level” postings in your region.
3) Sunrun — Entry-Level Installer & Sales Trainee roles (paid training)
🔸Role: Entry-level installer helpers and sales trainees with paid training programs.
🔸What they offer: Sunrun advertises trainee programs and entry roles with company training, paths to promotion, and benefits packages at scale (health insurance, PTO). Sales roles frequently include bonus/training pay for early months.
🔸Pay / benefits: Training pay / bonus schemes for sales hires; installer roles include standard benefits for full-time staff.
🔸Requirements: For installer helper roles: physical ability, driver’s license; for trainee sales: communication skills and willingness to work evenings/weekends. Many roles are explicitly “no prior PV experience required — we train.”
🔸How to apply: Search Sunrun careers for “entry level” or “training” roles and apply via their career portal or job boards.
4) Momentum Solar — Paid training for sales & field roles
🔸Role: Solar Consultant / Installer helper with paid training and commission/benefit packages.
🔸What they offer: Multiple job ads highlight paid training, benefits (health, PTO), and rapid advancement for high performers. Momentum runs frequent hiring cohorts and in-market training weeks.
🔸Pay / benefits: Paid training plus benefits; sales compensation often includes commission plus bonuses. Installer roles typically include benefits and training.
🔸Requirements: Sales roles ask for people-skills; installer helpers need physical stamina and willingness to work outside. Many posts state “we’ll train.”
🔸How to apply: Apply on Momentum Solar job pages or national job boards where their paid-training posts appear.
5) Ion / Local Residential Installers (example from job boards) — many small-to-medium installers
🔸Role: Entry-level installer / crew helper.
🔸What they offer: Job board snapshots show many local installers (Ion Solar and similar regional companies) advertising paid training, on-the-job mentorship, and tool allowances. These smaller firms often hire many helpers each season and train on site.
🔸Pay / benefits: Varies widely by company and market; often hourly pay with overtime, some offer health insurance after probation and paid training weeks.
🔸Requirements: Driver’s license, ability to lift and work on roofs; employers commonly accept applicants with no prior PV experience and provide training.
🔸How to apply: Use Indeed/ZipRecruiter and search “paid training solar installer” + your city/ZIP to surface local employers that will train.
6) Registered apprenticeships & local contractor apprenticeship listings (via Apprenticeship.gov)
🔸Role: Solar PV Installer Apprentice / PV Technician Apprentice (DOL-registered apprenticeship sponsors across many states).
🔸What they offer: Registered apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and progressive wage increases; many sponsors place apprentices into long-term careers with hiring contractors. Apprenticeship.gov lists occupation codes and local opportunities.
🔸Pay / benefits: Apprentices earn wages during training (employer-paid), often with benefits depending on sponsor. Timeframes range from many months to multi-year apprenticeships depending on sponsor design.
🔸Requirements: Vary by sponsor, but many accept applicants without prior PV experience; physical fitness and driver’s license common expectations.
🔸How to apply: Search Apprenticeship.gov for “Solar PV Installer” or “PV Technician” and filter by state/ZIP to find registered sponsors and application contacts.
Quick comparison & application tips
🔹Which to pick? If you want the fastest starts, apply to paid cohort programs (GRID, local bootcamps) or employer trainee postings (SunPower, Sunrun, Momentum, local installers). If you want a long ladder and progressive pay, target registered apprenticeships.
🔹What to highlight on your application: physical work experience (construction, roofing, warehouse), reliable attendance, driver’s license, willingness to get OSHA 10/30. Even if no PV experience, emphasize reliability and safety mindset.
🔹Certs that help: OSHA 10 (cheap, short), basic electrical familiarity, NABCEP-associate prep later. Having OSHA 10 before applying can give you an edge.
🔹Where to look: company career pages (SunPower, Sunrun, Momentum), GRID Alternatives workforce page, Apprenticeship.gov, and major job boards filtered for “paid training” or “entry level solar.”
Final note
The solar installer market in November 2025 is candidate-friendly for people willing to work safely and learn on the job. Multiple real pathways exist — paid cohort training, employer-paid on-the-job training, and registered apprenticeships — that let beginners enter the field with low barriers and clear routes to higher pay. Wishing you all the best in your job search!