Best institutions to study Solar Energy Technology/Technician
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing solar-powered energy systems.
33 U.S. institutions graduated 312 Solar Energy Technology/Technician students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 15.1703, a specialization of Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.17), and leads most directly to the Solar Photovoltaic Installers occupation (BLS SOC 47-2231).
About Solar Energy Technology/Technician programs
A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing solar-powered energy systems. Includes instruction in solar energy principles, energy storage and transfer technologies, testing and inspection procedures, system maintenance procedures, and report preparation.
See also: 47.0703 - Solar Energy System Installation and Repair Technology/Technician.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Solar Energy Technology/Technician program prepares individuals to support engineers in developing solar-powered energy systems. This program focuses on applying basic engineering principles and technical skills, making it ideal for those interested in renewable energy and sustainable technologies. Students will gain practical knowledge necessary for a career in the growing field of solar energy.
Core coursework includes instruction in solar energy principles, energy storage and transfer technologies, system maintenance procedures, and testing and inspection methods. Students will also develop essential skills such as critical thinking, monitoring, and mathematics, which are vital for success in the field.
Credentials awarded
What Solar Energy Technology/Technician graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year261 graduates / yr · 26 institutions84%
- Associate's degree24 graduates / yr · 5 institutions7.7%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years21 graduates / yr · 5 institutions6.7%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate6 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.9%
Graduates over time
Solar Energy Technology/Technician completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 266 |
| 2021 | 235 |
| 2022 | 298 |
| 2023 | 245 |
| 2024 | 341 |
| 2025 | 312 |
Top 33 institutions for Solar Energy Technology/Technician, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cleveland State Community College Cleveland, TNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 51 | 37% | — |
| 2 | Texas State Technical College Waco, TXPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAssociate's | 37 | 46% | — |
| 3 | North Georgia Technical College Clarkesville, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 29 | 39% | — |
| 4 | West Georgia Technical College Waco, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 21 | 35% | — |
| 5 | Central New Mexico Community College Albuquerque, NMPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic yearsAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 31% | — |
| 6 | Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad Ponce, PRPrivate for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 20 | 95% | $8,859 |
| 7 | Augusta Technical College Augusta, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 31% | — |
| 8 | South Georgia Technical College Americus, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 15 | 61% | — |
| 9 | Colby Community College Colby, KSPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 12 | 55% | — |
| 10 | Ogeechee Technical College Statesboro, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 12 | 43% | — |
| 11 | Sauk Valley Community College Dixon, ILPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 49% | — |
| 12 | Erwin Technical College Tampa, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 80% | — |
| 13 | Savannah Technical College Savannah, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 42% | — |
| 14 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus University Park, PAPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 34% | — |
| 15 | Georgia Northwestern Technical College Rome, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 43% | — |
| 16 | Appalachian State University Boone, NCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 75% | — |
| 17 | Bryan University Springfield, MOPrivate for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 5 | 90% | $21,006 |
| 18 | Genesee Community College Batavia, NYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 31% | — |
| 19 | Southeastern Technical College Vidalia, GAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 38% | — |
| 20 | Delaware Technical Community College - Terry Dover, DEPublicAssociate's | 3 | 22% | — |
| 21 | Indian River State College Fort Pierce, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 45% | — |
| 22 | Century College White Bear Lake, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 31% | — |
| 23 | Owens Community College Perrysburg, OHPublicAssociate's | 3 | 35% | — |
| 24 | Technical College of the Lowcountry Beaufort, SCPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 18% | — |
| 25 | Triton College River Grove, ILPublicAssociate'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 29% | — |
| 26 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College Granite Falls, MNPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 52% | — |
| 27 | Okaloosa Technical College Fort Walton Beach, FLPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 82% | — |
| 28 | Victor Valley College Victorville, CAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 62% | — |
| 29 | Pueblo Community College Pueblo, COPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 31% | — |
| 30 | Prairie State College Chicago Heights, ILPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 21% | — |
| 31 | Monroe Community College Rochester, NYPublicAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 1 | 27% | — |
| 32 | Inter American University of Puerto Rico - Fajardo Fajardo, PRPrivate not-for-profitAssociate's | 1 | 38% | $11,242 |
| 33 | Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology Pleasant Gap, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 95% | — |
Offered in 18 states & territories
Where Solar Energy Technology/Technician graduates come from. Each state links to all Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 8 | 107 | North Georgia Technical College29 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 51 | Cleveland State Community College51 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 37 | Texas State Technical College37 / yr |
| Puerto Rico | 2 | 21 | Escuela Tecnica de Electricidad20 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 20 | Central New Mexico Community College20 / yr |
| Florida | 3 | 14 | Erwin Technical College9 / yr |
| Illinois | 3 | 12 | Sauk Valley Community College9 / yr |
| Kansas | 1 | 12 | Colby Community College12 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 7 | Pennsylvania State University - World Campus6 / yr |
| New York | 2 | 5 | Genesee Community College4 / yr |
| Minnesota | 2 | 5 | Century College3 / yr |
| North Carolina | 1 | 5 | Appalachian State University5 / yr |
| Missouri | 1 | 5 | Bryan University5 / yr |
| Delaware | 1 | 3 | Delaware Technical Community College - Terry3 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 3 | Owens Community College3 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 3 | Technical College of the Lowcountry3 / yr |
| California | 1 | 1 | Victor Valley College1 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 1 | Pueblo Community College1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 47-2231, Solar Photovoltaic Installers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as Solar Photovoltaic Installers or Engineering Technologists and Technicians. The job outlook is promising, with a projected growth rate of 42.1% and approximately 4,100 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $51,860, typically requiring a high school diploma or equivalent.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 15.1703
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Solar Photovoltaic Installersprimary SOC 47-2231 | $53,140 | +42.1% Much faster than average | ~4,100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other SOC 17-3029 | $78,350 | +1.5% Little or no change | ~5,700 | Associate's degree |
Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- Education
- Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- Experience
- Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- Training
- Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Solar Energy Technology/Technician programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Install photovoltaic (PV) systems in accordance with codes and standards, using drawings, schematics, and instructions.
- Check electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding, or integrity of terminations.
- Identify electrical, environmental, and safety hazards associated with photovoltaic (PV) installations.
- Identify installation locations with proper orientation, area, solar access, or structural integrity for photovoltaic (PV) arrays.
- Assemble solar modules, panels, or support structures, as specified.
- Apply weather sealing to array, building, or support mechanisms.
Tools and technology used
Other Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians specializations
The 6 other 6-digit CIP codes under Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.17).
- Energy Systems Technology/CIP 15.1701
Technician 681 graduates / yr76 institutions - Power Plant Technology/CIP 15.1702
Technician partial data74 graduates / yr5 institutions - Wind Energy Technology/CIP 15.1704
Technician partial data47 graduates / yr7 institutions - Energy Systems Technologies/CIP 15.1799
Technicians limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 2 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Hydroelectric Energy Technology/
Technician15.1705 - Geothermal Energy Technology/
Technician15.1706
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What is the duration of the program?+
The program typically awards credentials in at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
Graduates can work as Solar Photovoltaic Installers or Engineering Technologists and Technicians.
What skills will I develop in this program?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, monitoring, mathematics, and active learning.
Is there a demand for solar energy technicians?+
Yes, the field is expected to grow by 42.1%, with many job openings available annually.
What is the CIP code for Solar Energy Technology/Technician?+
Solar Energy Technology/Technician is CIP 15.1703 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians (CIP 15.17). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to apply basic engineering principles and technical skills in support of engineers and other professionals engaged in developing solar-powered energy systems. Includes instruction in solar energy principles, energy storage and transfer technologies, testing and inspection procedures, system maintenance procedures, and report preparation.
How many institutions offer Solar Energy Technology/Technician programs?+
33 U.S. institutions reported Solar Energy Technology/Technician graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 18 states & territories, awarding 312 credentials in the year. That is 28.0% of all Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians graduates.
How much do Solar Energy Technology/Technician graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Solar Photovoltaic Installers occupation, which Solar Energy Technology/Technician most directly leads to, pays a median of $53,140 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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