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Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians

Credit: USAID U.S. Agency for International Development, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 DEED on Flickr

Solar thermal installers and technicians play a crucial role in the renewable energy sector. While their primary focus is on solar technology, there are indirect connections between their work and geosciences. They need a moderate background in the geosciences to perform tasks such as:

  • Conducting site assessments to evaluate geographical features, considering factors like topography, shading from surrounding structures or vegetation, and the local climate, which are influenced by geological conditions.

  • Considering soil composition and temperature gradients when installing solar thermal systems may be integrated with ground source heat pumps or ground-coupled heat exchangers.

  • Understanding soil stability to ensure the long-term stability and safety of the solar installation.

  • Considering seismic design requirements in earthquake-prone areas.

  • Implementing erosion and sedimentation control measures during the installation phase, considering the geological characteristics of the site to prevent environmental impacts.

Read more about this occupation on O*NET OnLine at www.onetonline.org/link/summary/47-2152.04

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