ConstructionO*NET: 47-2152.04
Will AI Replace Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians?
Install or repair solar energy systems designed to collect, store, and circulate solar-heated water for residential, commercial or industrial use.
65out of 100
High Risk
AI Risk Score
65/100
Risk Level
High
Job Zone
3/5
Medium
Total Tasks Analyzed
20
🤖 What AI Can Do
- ▸Fill water tanks and check tanks, pipes, and fittings for leaks.
👤 What Requires Humans
- ▸Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
- ▸Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
- ▸Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.
- ▸Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
- ▸Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.
- ▸Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
Task Breakdown
🤖AI Can Automate (1)
- Fill water tanks and check tanks, pipes, and fittings for leaks.
👤Requires Humans (12)
- Install solar collector mounting devices on tile, asphalt, shingle, or built-up gravel roofs, using appropriate materials and penetration methods.
- Install copper or plastic plumbing using pipes, fittings, pipe cutters, acetylene torches, solder, wire brushes, sand cloths, flux, plastic pipe cleaners, or plastic glue.
- Identify plumbing, electrical, environmental, or safety hazards associated with solar thermal installations.
- Install circulating pumps using pipe, fittings, soldering equipment, electrical supplies, and hand tools.
- Install flat-plat, evacuated glass, or concentrating solar collectors on mounting devices, using brackets or struts.
- Install solar thermal system controllers and sensors.
- Design active direct or indirect, passive direct or indirect, or pool solar systems.
- Determine locations for installing solar subsystem components, including piping, water heaters, valves, and ancillary equipment.
- Perform routine maintenance or repairs to restore solar thermal systems to baseline operating conditions.
- Install heat exchangers and heat exchanger fluids according to installation manuals and schematics.
- Install plumbing, such as dip tubes, port fittings, drain tank valves, pressure temperature relief valves, or tanks, according to manufacturer specifications and building codes.
- Install monitoring system components, such as flow meters, temperature gauges, and pressure gauges, according to system design and manufacturer specifications.
⚡AI-Assisted (7)
- Test operation or functionality of mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and control systems.
- Apply weather seal, such as pipe flashings and sealants, to roof penetrations and structural devices.
- Demonstrate start-up, shut-down, maintenance, diagnostic, and safety procedures to thermal system owners.
- Apply operation or identification tags or labels to system components, as required.
- Connect water heaters and storage tanks to power and water sources.
- Cut, miter, and glue piping insulation to insulate plumbing pipes and fittings.
- Assess collector sites to ensure structural integrity of potential mounting surfaces or the best orientation and tilt for solar collectors.
Key Skills Analysis
Installation
Importance: 4.75/5.00
Reading ComprehensionAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Quality Control AnalysisAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.38/5.00
Active Listening
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Speaking
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Critical ThinkingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Monitoring
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Operations MonitoringAI-Vulnerable
Importance: 3.25/5.00
Troubleshooting
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Judgment and Decision MakingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Time ManagementAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.12/5.00
Active LearningAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
InstructingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Service OrientationAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Complex Problem SolvingAI-Resistant
Importance: 3.00/5.00
Related Occupations
Solar Photovoltaic Installers
80/100 — Critical Risk
Solar Energy Systems Engineers
43/100 — Medium Risk
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
56/100 — Medium Risk
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall
84/100 — Critical Risk
Solar Energy Installation Managers
27/100 — Low Risk
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Frequently Asked Questions
Based on our analysis, Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians have a high risk of AI replacement with a score of 65/100. Many routine tasks in this role can be automated, but human oversight remains important.
Last updated: 2026-03-28· Data from O*NET 30.2 & Frey/Osborne automation research