Solar Installer Resume Example
Pursuing a career as a solar installer provides opportunities for career progression and responsibilities involving maintaining safety standards and installing PV systems. If you want to stand out with your solar installer applications, you'll need to create a professional resume that makes a strong impression on employers. In this article, we'll highlight tips and examples for creating a solar installer resume that makes a winning impression on recruiters and hiring managers.
After reading this guide, you'll know what it takes to create a resume that really stands out from other solar installer applicants. The article will take you through the key steps of creating a resume that presents your key skills, qualities and career achievements in a format that employers favor. It will also help you tailor your resume according to your unique skills and experience level. Read on to access expert insights from Jobseeker that will help you create a winning solar installer resume.
Core sections to include in a solar installer resume
A successful solar installer resume will typically include each of the sections listed below, with some optional sections. A resume for candidates with little or no work experience may focus less on the work experience section, and bring sections to the fore that emphasize their skills, such as hobbies and interests, volunteer work, education, projects and skills lists.
You will have some choice over your resume layout and structure, but be sure to include these sections as the core of your document:
Resume Header with Contact Details
The resume header is the place to add your name and contact details, along with your LinkedIn URL if you have a profile, so employers can find more information about your career journey and skills. You don't typically need to add a photo, or any other personal information to this section. Create a clear, well-structured header that acts as the headline of your resume. Use color accents and blocks to help this section stand out and catch the eye of the reader.
Use an email address that's professional and appropriate for professional communication. Typically this would be an email address based on your first and last name, or your initials. If necessary, you could include your profession or another unique identifier. Avoid using old email addresses that could be considered unprofessional or inappropriate. Additionally, always check your contact details before sending your resume to ensure they're up-to-date.
Kevin Collins
kevin.collins@example.com
(111) 222 33 444 55
123 Sesame Street, New York, NY
linkedin․com/in/kevin–collins123
Resume Objective
In your resume summary, write a short paragraph that highlights two or three of your key achievements and skills for solar installer roles. You could also call this section 'resume objective' or 'personal profile'. A resume summary covers your career experience to date, while a resume objective focuses more on your ambitions for the future. Always make sure your summary reflects the job description and highlights some of the key skills required for solar installer roles.
Alternatively, write a paragraph that concentrates on your career objectives and how this role fits with your wider ambitions and progression.
A great resume summary should highlight why you're an ideal candidate for solar installer roles by showing key skills and qualities that reflect the job description and provide evidence to support them. It should also introduce your personality and unique qualities to the reader, to help them start to form an opinion about you as a candidate. You can see some positive examples of a resume summary for solar installer jobs below.
Good example:
Experienced Solar Installer with a strong background as a Renewable Energy Technician, skilled in designing, installing, and maintaining solar photovoltaic systems. Proven expertise in site assessment, system troubleshooting, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and safety protocols. Adept at collaborating with team members and clients to deliver efficient, high-quality renewable energy solutions
Bad example:
Solar installer with some experience in renewable energy. Worked on setting up and looking after solar systems. Familiar with checking sites and fixing issues. Worked with others to make sure things are done safely and meet standards. Tried to provide good energy solutions with the team and clients
Alternatively, a poor resume summary would include bland, generic information that does little to prove your suitability for the role, while failing to provide any useful insights on you as a person or as a candidate. The visual above includes some examples of what not to do with your solar installer resume summary
Skills
The skills section of a solar installer resume is a chance to list any skills you have that match those of the job description. You could include roofing and safety, problem-solving skills or any other skills that show you're a suitable candidate. Again, refer to the solar installer job description for an indication of the types of skills the employer is looking for, and make sure your skills section reflects these.
Showcasing hard skills on your solar installer resume
For your hard skills list, include any technical abilities or specific industry knowledge that's essential to working as a solar installer. These could be skills gained through work experience or qualifications. Furthermore, your list of hard skills provides a strong indication to the reader of your expertise in solar installer roles, and how well you'll fit into the position. If possible, add four or five hard skills that reflect the requirements of the job description. These will boost your chances of success in your applications.
You'll make more impact with your resume hard skills list if you focus on technical skills that reflect your unique expertise and specialism, and that match the key requirements in the job description. See the graphic below for some tips on hard skills for a solar installer resume.
- Photovoltaic system installation
- Electrical wiring proficiency
- Roofing and safety
Showcasing your best soft skills
Your soft skills are the core qualities and personal characteristics that make you a good employee. They tend to apply to multiple professions and jobs, though the soft skills you'll require may change as you move from junior to senior positions. In fact, you can develop soft skills throughout your career, and they tend to be suitable for various roles and professions. In this section, add four of five transferable skills that match the job description.
An effective solar installer resume soft skills section should be targeted to include skills that reflect your personality and unique characteristics, while also matching the job description. The graphic below includes some examples of good resume soft skills.
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving skills
- Team player
Education
In your education section, include details of your most relevant solar installer qualifications and educational achievements.
You don't tend to need a degree for solar installer roles, but you'll still need to list any relevant qualifications, or your relevant educational achievements. If you have NABCEP PV Installer, add this here, along with any other education that shows your DC/AC conversion knowledge or troubleshooting PV systems.
Enter the name and level of the qualification, the institution you studied at, its location and your dates of study or graduation. You can also add some bullet points outlining any high grades, awards you won or specialist subjects you studied. Adding this information will show the employer your dedication to learning and your areas of specialist knowledge.
If you organized or participated in any clubs or societies while at university, or you took part in any voluntary work, you could also mention these here.
Bachelor of Science in Renewable Energy Engineering, 2017 - 2020
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
Licenses and Certifications
Under certifications and licenses, add any further qualifications that show you're a good fit for the job. You could list accreditations for certain professional roles or licenses for certain activities that help to make you a strong candidate. Therefore, make sure you list the dates of your certifications and licenses so employers can see they're up-to-date and valid.
Below you can find several examples of certifications for a solar installer resume:
- NABCEP PV Installer, 2022
- OSHA Safety Training, 2022
- SEI PV Installation, 2022
Work Experience
Under your work experience section, add any jobs you've had in the past that are relevant to the position of a solar installer. Include any relevant jobs you've held in reverse-chronological order. Start with your current or most recent roles and work back through previous roles. For each job, list your title, the name of the company, its location and the dates you worked there.
For each job listed in this section, add some bullet points so the employer can understand the skills you developed, and your achievements. Focus on showcasing the impact you made on the organization, and show evidence of how you made a difference.
An effective resume work experience section is one that constantly echoes the skills and experience listed in the job description, and shows how you used your skills to positive effect in each job. Each bullet point should be carefully crafted to showcase a particular skill or achievement relevant to solar installer jobs, with evidence to show the value you added. Take a look at the examples below for some guidance on what works best for your work experience section.
Good example:
Renewable Energy Technician, January 2022 - Present
SunWave Solutions, Columbus
- Successfully installed and commissioned over 150 solar panel systems, increasing energy efficiency by 40% for residential clients
- Led a team to retrofit wind turbines, resulting in a 30% boost in energy output and reduced maintenance costs
- Implemented advanced troubleshooting techniques, reducing system downtime by 25% and enhancing operational reliability for commercial solar farms
Bad example:
Renewable Energy Technician, January 2022 - Present
SunWave Solutions, Columbus
- Contributed to various solar projects, enhancing energy solutions for numerous clients
- Played a key role in improving renewable energy systems
- Assisted in the implementation of energy-efficient technologies
Above, you can see a weaker example of a resume work experience section to best avoid. Ineffective work experience sections tend to focus too much on everyday responsibilities over skills and achievements. If you use vague descriptions of activities and fail to back up your achievements with evidence, you're likely to fail to make an impact on the reader.
Resume tip:
Emphasize hands-on experience and relevant skills, such as customer service, teamwork, or problem-solving, to showcase your readiness for the role. (1) Use bullet points to organize your resume and keep it easy to read, especially for hiring managers scanning for key qualifications. (2)
Optional Sections
To provide further information on your suitability for the role, you could add some optional sections to a solar installer resume. Add any of the sections below that help you showcase your key skills and experience.
Hobbies and Interests
Add any hobbies and interests that reinforce your credentials for the position. They also help to show a different side of your personality, and can help your resume create a more memorable impression on hiring managers. If you're short on real world work experience, hobbies and interests can be a useful way of providing more information about your qualities. If you're thinking about adding hobbies and interests, just make sure they add something unique to your application, and showcase your personality and interests in unique and interesting ways.
Volunteer Work
Voluntary work can help you develop useful skills, so it's a valuable addition to your solar installer resume. Add your volunteer job title or role, the name of the organization, its location and the dates you were involved.
References
References aren't a standard solar installer resume section, but employers do sometimes ask for them. Check the job advert and only include them if requested. Only include referees that you've had prior approval from, and notify them to expect contact from the employer.
References will be available upon request.
Best action words for your solar installer resume
Start each bullet point in your work experience section with a strong verb to show actions you took. Choose verbs from the suggestions below that highlight your key skills or those mentioned in the job description.
- Install
- Assemble
- Configure
- Troubleshoot
- Inspect
- Maintain
- Repair
- Secure
- Test
- Optimize
For help creating an eye-catching resume design to catch the attention of hiring managers, see Jobseeker's professional resume layouts. You can also use our clear, effective cover letter templates to complete your application.
Sample resume for solar installer positions
Using each of the sections above, we've created this example solar installer resume, to help guide you when creating your own:
123 Sesame Street, New York, NY
•
kevin.collins@example.com
•
(111) 222 33 444 55
•
linkedin․com/in/kevin–collins123
Dedicated and experienced Solar Installer with a strong background as a Renewable Energy Technician. Proven expertise in the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of solar energy systems. Skilled in interpreting technical drawings, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and providing exceptional customer service. Adept at working both independently and as part of a team to deliver high-quality, sustainable energy solutions.
Renewable Energy Technician
2020
-2022
EcoWave Solutions (Detroit)
- Successfully installed and maintained over 150 solar panel systems, enhancing energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints for residential and commercial properties
- Achieved a 95% customer satisfaction rate by providing exceptional service and support for renewable energy system installations and maintenance
- Led a team in the development and deployment of a wind turbine project, increasing regional renewable energy output by 20%
Photovoltaic system installation
Electrical wiring proficiency
Roofing and safety
Attention to detail
Problem-solving skills
Team player
NABCEP PV Installer
OSHA Safety Training
English - Fluent
Spanish - B2
Best practices for a solar installer resume
Simple tips for creating a winning resume
- Tailor your resume to the job you're applying for by consulting the job description and using keywords throughout your document.
- List key skills throughout your resume that show you're a good fit for the role, and include a separate 'skills' section.
- Keep your solar installer resume as brief as possible. A single page is ideal for junior applicants, while two sides is acceptable for senior jobs.
- Use a professional resume format with clear headings, a defined structure and consistent margins for optimum readability.
- Create a positive impression with a well-written resume summary or objective that highlights your key strengths for solar installer roles.
Keep away from these common resume mistakes
- Don't crowd your solar installer resume with too many unnecessary details. Focus on only the most critical skills and achievements.
- Don't include any personal details, such as a photo, your age or marital status. These can create unwanted bias in the recruitment process.
- Don't exaggerate, lie or hide details about yourself as these can all undermine your chances of success with solar installer applications.
- Don't use complex and elaborate formatting that can make your solar installer resume less readable and more difficult for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan.
- Don't fill your resume with industry jargon or business-speak that could alienate the reader.
Tips on creating an ATS-optimized resume
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is just one of the tools employers and recruiters can use to streamline their hiring practices. This typically includes screening candidates by scanning and ranking their resumes based on their likely suitability for any vacancy. When drafting your solar installer resume, there are a few guidelines to follow to give you the best chance of passing the ATS screening stage and progressing with your application.
Create an ATS-optimized resume by following these quick tips:
- Use a traditional resume layout, such as a reverse-chronological or functional format. This will mean your resume includes all the necessary sections, in the expected order.
- Include keywords throughout your resume that align with the job description. ATS software tends to compare your resume to the job description for points of similarity, so careful, considered use of keywords should help your chances of success.
- Include clear headings in each section that match the traditional resume structure and format. This will make it easier for the ATS software to scan your resume.
- Adopt a clean, unfussy design that gives your content enough white space to breathe. Use professional, readable fonts and subtle use of color and other design elements.
- Use simple, concise language to keep your resume to a maximum of one to two pages in length. This will make it easier for ATS software to read.
If you're looking for inspiration for your resume, discover our comprehensive resume examples and in-depth, expert career blog.
FAQs for a solar installer resume
As well as writing a professional solar installer resume, you'll need a cover letter to introduce yourself and emphasize your credentials.
Firstly, choose whether you're going to write a full cover letter, or whether a brief email confirming your application and drawing attention to your resume will be sufficient.
If you decide you want to write a traditional cover letter, follow the standard letter-writing conventions around layout and structure. In the main body of the letter, write an opening paragraph to introduce yourself and explain why you're applying for the solar installer role. Your second paragraph is typically where you highlight your key relevant skills and achievements. Finally, close by expressing your enthusiasm for the role and leave a call to action to encourage the hiring manager to make contact with you.
Jobseeker's HR-approved cover letter templates can help you produce a cover letter that really catches the eye of employers.
If you're an experienced solar installer, your resume should focus on your extensive work experience and the achievements in your career to date. As an experienced solar installer candidate, you'll want your resume to highlight your relevant work history. As such, consider going further back than the standard 10 to 15 years with your employment history. In your solar installer resume, think about any optional sections you could add to help prove your standing and reputation in your industry. Sections such as awards, achievements and projects can build a picture of your career successes to date.
Use a resume headline to make it easy for the reader to start assessing your suitability for solar installer positions at first glance. Resume headlines can also help you pass the ATS stage of the selection process, by highlighting the job title and one or two key details. Write a short, concise resume headline incorporating the job title, one or two key skills that match the job description and a reference to your reputation or track record.
See an example resume headline below:
- Entry-Level Solar Installation Technician
- Expert Solar Energy System Installer
- Expert Solar Installation Specialist
The best resume format for you depends on two things. Firstly, it depends on your experience level. Secondly, it depends on the type and level of position you're applying for. For roles where you're lacking experience, such as graduate jobs or career changes, you could use a functional or skills-based resume format. This places your skills and education above your work experience. For more senior roles where you have plenty of relevant experience, use a reverse chronological format. This resume structure places work experience at the heart of the document, using it as a showcase for your skills and achievements.
Key takeaways for your solar installer resume
An effective resume is a concise, professional summary of your relevant skills and career achievements, showcased through a chronology of your career history. Use a suitable resume format and tailor your resume for every application you submit.
HR-approved resume templates and other tools by Jobseeker are the easiest way to create a winning job application. Sign up and follow the simple instructions to complete a resume that stands out from the crowd. A stylish, professional cover letter can make all the difference to your job prospects. See Jobseeker's cover letter examples, written by careers experts, to help you craft an eye-catching application.
Sources:
(1) Writing a Resume, California Department of Human Resources: https://www.calhr.ca.gov/employees/Pages/resume-tips.aspx
(2) Resume Tips, Duke University: https://careerhub.students.duke.edu/resources/resume-tips/
