Solar Energy Systems Installers

Guide for
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians in California
May also be called: Solar Energy Systems Installers; Solar Hot Water System Installers; Solar Thermal Repair Technicians
What Would I Do?
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians install, maintain, and repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial, or industrial use. Typically, solar water heating technology is used to heat water to three temperature levels: low for swimming pools, medium for space heating and cooling and domestic water heating, and high for steam production for electric generation.
Solar water heating systems are set up in conjunction with a standard water heater. There are two types of solar water heating technology: active and passive systems. Active systems use fans or pumps to move heat to warm water. Passive systems use sunlight to store energy and rely upon gravity to move hot water into a storage tank. They do not require pumps to move water.
Solar water heating technology uses the sun’s rays to heat liquid in copper or plastic tubes located inside solar
collector panels. The heated liquid coming from the solar panels transfers heat to the water heater through
exchange coils inside the storage tank or a heat exchanger added to the existing water heater tank. The storage
tank provides preheated hot water to a conventional water heater for immediate use. Solar water
heating saves energy by reducing the amount of time a regular water heater must operate.
Installers plan the layout of the system by determining the placement of tanks and pumps; they also perform on-site evaluations to ensure the best placement of solar panels to obtain optimal sun exposure. Solar Thermal Installers mount pre-assembled solar panels or systems. They install storage tanks or heat exchangers into existing tanks. They also install pumps, valves, pipes, and ducts. Solar Thermal Installers set up and adjust electrical or electronic controls and sometimes do routine maintenance. In new construction, they follow blueprints to connect piping, ducting, controls, and wiring. Installers also demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to solar thermal system owners.
Solar Thermal Installers commonly use a variety of power and hand tools including extruders, propane torches, and wrenches. Copper pipes are frequently used in solar hot water heating systems installed in residential and commercial buildings; lead-free solders are used to solder the pipe fittings properly. Some systems use polyethylene tubing, with which Installers use crimpers to connect the pipes. Plastic PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) pipes are generally used in solar water heating systems for pools.