Career as a Solar PV Installer in India: Courses, Skills and How to Begin

Renewable Energy & Environment

Updated

At a glance

A solar PV installer mounts panels, inverters and wiring on rooftops and ground structures, then tests and commissions the system; many enter through an ITI or short certified course after Class 10.

A solar PV installer mounts solar panels, inverters and cabling on rooftops and ground structures, then tests and commissions the system so it can power homes and feed the grid. It is a hands-on electrical trade, and many people enter it through an ITI or a short certified course after Class 10 rather than a long degree.

Demand is rising with solar growth. India's installed solar capacity has reached 162.15 GW, and rooftop programmes such as PM Surya Ghar are creating installation jobs in many states. Installers who understand electrical safety, grid connection rules and customer paperwork are the ones employers look for.

This page covers what the work involves, the courses and certifications that lead there, the skills employers want and the outlook. Pay, course fees and exact durations vary by state and institute, so confirm current details with the training provider and employer before you commit.

Minimum Qualification
Class 10 pass (typically)
Typical Degree
ITI trade certificate or short solar PV course
Expected Entry Salary
Varies by state and employer
Entry-level to Senior
Grows with experience and certifications
Job Demand Growth
Rising: India solar capacity 162.15 GW (Jul 2026)
Work Hours
Typically full-time; site work, often outdoors
Places of Work
Rooftops, solar farms, factories, homes

What Does a Solar PV Installer Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Visit the site and check the roof or ground for shade, structural strength and space, and help assess whether a rooftop system is feasible

  • Fix mounting structures so panels sit at the required clearance; the MSEDCL rooftop specification calls for a minimum of 300 mm ground clearance from the roof surface

  • Install crystalline solar panels, inverters (PCU) and cabling, with standard wiring scope covering up to 30 m in the MSEDCL specification

  • Connect the system safely to the building supply and net meter, following DISCOM guidelines and grid-interconnection safety standards

  • Test and commission the plant as per DISCOM guidelines and help complete the joint inspection report after commissioning

  • Help customers with the documents needed for their application and explain how the system works

  • Carry out checks and maintenance, since vendors are responsible for operating and maintaining rooftop projects for five years under the scheme

Where They Work

Most solar PV installers work for empanelled rooftop vendors and solar installation companies that take on projects under state and central schemes. Under PM Surya Ghar, consumers choose an empanelled vendor through the DISCOM portal, and the vendor installs, synchronises and maintains the system. Solar developers and EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contractors also hire installers for ground-mounted solar plants.

Other employers include electrical contractors and agencies working for DISCOMs on solar net meter installation. Work is found in homes, housing societies, schools, factories, warehouses and solar parks, and rooftop programmes are especially active in states such as Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Assam and Kerala.

How to Become a Solar PV Installer in India?

After Class 10

Complete Class 10 with a good grasp of maths and science. Many ITI electrical and solar trades start at this level, but check each institute's entry rules.

ITI or Short Certified Course

Join an ITI electrical trade or a short solar PV installation course from a recognised institute. Choose one with hands-on practice on panels, inverters and wiring, along with safety training for working at height.

Undergraduate or Diploma (Optional)

A diploma or B.Tech in electrical or renewable energy engineering helps if you want to move into design, site engineering or supervision. It is not needed for installer jobs.

Licence / Certification

Check whether your state requires a licence or certificate for grid-connected electrical work, and whether your DISCOM or state agency expects vendors to be empanelled. Certification and vendor experience make you eligible for scheme work.

First Job

Start as a helper or junior installer with an empanelled vendor, solar EPC company or electrical contractor. Learn the full cycle from site feasibility to commissioning, then move up to team lead or site supervisor.

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Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

  • Class 10 with maths and science is typically the entry point for ITI electrical and solar trades

  • For diploma or B.Tech routes, Class 12 Science with Physics, Chemistry and Maths (PCM) is typically required

  • No specific stream is compulsory for short solar installation courses; check each provider

Minimum Qualification

  • Class 10 pass is typically the minimum for ITI admission

  • Basic physical fitness for rooftop, height and outdoor work

  • Many employers accept a trade certificate in place of a degree for installer roles

Courses and Degrees for Solar PV Installer

  • Certifications & Short-term Courses
    • Solar PV installation course (typically a few weeks to a few months)
    • Solar safety and working-at-height training (duration varies by provider)
    ITI Trade Courses
    • Electrician (ITI, typically 2 years)
    • Solar Technician (Electrical) (ITI, typically 1 to 2 years)
    Diplomas
    • Diploma in Electrical Engineering (typically 3 years after Class 10)
    • Diploma in Renewable Energy Engineering (typically 3 years, where offered)
    Undergraduate Degrees
    • B.Tech in Electrical Engineering (typically 4 years after Class 12 with PCM)
    • B.Tech in Renewable Energy Engineering (typically 4 years, where offered)

Skills Required to Become a Solar PV Installer

Technical Skills

  • Reading electrical drawings and single-line diagrams
  • Basic DC and AC wiring, cable sizing and termination
  • Mounting structures and rooftop installation work
  • Inverter and PCU installation and setup
  • Net meter and grid connection basics
  • Testing and commissioning with multimeters and insulation testers
  • Electrical safety procedures and working at height

Soft Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Teamwork with crews
  • Customer communication
  • Time management on site
  • Problem-solving in the field

Solar PV Installer Salary in India

0 to 2 years

Entry Level

Pending verification

  • Typical job titles: Solar Installation Helper, Junior Solar Installer
  • Work: Fixing mounting structures, carrying panels and cabling under supervision

2 to 5 years

Mid Level

Pending verification

  • Typical job titles: Solar Installation Technician, Solar Net Meter Technician
  • Work: Running installations independently, testing and commissioning, and preparing documents for joint inspection

5+ years

Senior Level

Pending verification

  • Typical job titles: Site Supervisor, Solar Project Supervisor, Maintenance Lead
  • Work: Planning crews and schedules, checking feasibility, overseeing quality and safety, and managing operations and maintenance

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

Solar Installation Technician

Installs panels, mounting structures, inverters and cabling on rooftops and ground sites.

Rooftop Solar Installer

Works on residential and commercial rooftop projects, often under state or central schemes.

Solar Net Meter Technician

Installs and tests solar net meters, usually with agencies working for DISCOMs.

Solar Commissioning Technician

Tests and switches on new systems and checks they meet grid and safety requirements.

Solar Maintenance Technician

Inspects, cleans and repairs installed systems during the operations and maintenance period.

Solar Site Supervisor

Leads installation crews, manages schedules and checks quality and safety on site.

Solar Field Technician

Maintains and repairs ground-mounted solar plants at utility-scale sites.

Scope and Future of Solar PV Installer in India

Demand for installers is tied to solar growth. India's installed solar capacity has risen 57-fold since 2014 to 162.15 GW, according to a government statement to Parliament reported in July 2026. Maharashtra's distribution utility shows over 11 lakh consumers with installed rooftop solar and about 7,313 MW of capacity on its I-SMART portal, and Uttar Pradesh has moved up to second place nationally in rooftop installations.

Government schemes drive much of the rooftop work. Under PM Surya Ghar, residential households get ₹30,000 per kW for the first 2 kW and ₹18,000 per kW for additional capacity up to 3 kW, with total subsidy for larger systems capped at ₹78,000, as listed on the Maharashtra DISCOM portal. Rates can differ by state. Group housing societies and resident welfare associations also qualify for subsidies on common facilities, and vendors maintain rooftop projects for five years, which creates service work after installation.

Growth is also reaching grid and state-level work. A Kerala report in April 2026 said local transformers could not take more new solar connections, which points to a need for grid upgrade work. State programmes reported in 2026 have also trained women to install solar panels. Overseas work is possible in some markets, but installers must check each country's licensing and certification rules before they move.

Is Solar PV Installer
the Right Career for You?

Solar PV Installer can be an exciting career, but the right choice depends on more than academic eligibility.

Interests

What excites you?

Aptitude

What are you good at?

Personality

How do you work?

Work Preferences

What kind of environment suits you?

Discover careers that match your interests, strengths and preferences.

See how well this career fits you

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Solar PV Installer: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I become a solar PV installer after Class 10?

Yes, in most cases. Many people start after Class 10 with an ITI electrical trade or a short solar PV installation course, which focuses on the hands-on skills employers need on rooftops and in solar fields. A Class 12 science background or a diploma can help you move into supervisor or design roles later. Check the entry rules of each institute before you apply, as they vary.

Do I need an engineering degree to work as a solar installer?

No. Installation is a trade job, so an engineering degree is not required for technician and installer roles. A B.Tech or diploma is useful if you want to move into design, project management or site engineering. Most installers learn on the job, starting as helpers and building skills through certified training and real site experience.

How much does a solar PV installer earn in India?

Pay varies by state, employer, experience and whether the work is rooftop or large solar-field work. Ask employers in your city for current offers and check recent salary surveys before you decide. Pay usually rises with experience, site supervision roles and recognised certifications, so plan your training with that progression in mind.

Is solar installation a good career in India?

Demand is strong. India's installed solar capacity has risen 57-fold since 2014 to 162.15 GW, according to a government statement to Parliament reported in July 2026. Rooftop programmes such as PM Surya Ghar keep creating installation work across states. Growth also brings competition, so workers who combine safety training, certifications and good customer service tend to find steadier work.

Can women become solar PV installers?

Yes. Reports in 2026 describe state initiatives, including 'solar didis', that train women to install solar panels. Installation work needs physical fitness for rooftop and height work, but it does not depend on gender. Check your state's skilling and rooftop solar programmes for training and placement support, and choose a course with safety training and hands-on practice.

What certifications help a solar PV installer get hired?

Employers value trade certificates such as an ITI in an electrical or solar-related trade, along with short solar PV installation courses and safety training for working at height. Government rooftop work is usually carried out by vendors empanelled with the state distribution company (DISCOM), so vendor or empanelment experience helps. Confirm the current requirements with your DISCOM or state skill agency.

Sources and Further Reading

Official and published pages this guide was researched from (facts last checked ). Fees, dates and cut-offs change every year, so confirm them on the official websites.

  1. National Portal for Rooftop Solar - Ministry of New and Renewable Energypmsuryaghar.gov.in
  2. Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd. I-SMARTportal.mahadiscom.in

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