How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Rhode Island (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

U.S. employment of solar installation technicians is projected to change 42.1% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections). No statewide license is required; most solar installation technicians train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

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Key Facts

Compare Solar Installation Technician Schools in Rhode Island

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
181.5$31,611$79,19483%—246 mi
275.3Contact school for pricing$47,03795%—333 mi
362.7$6,796 in-state / $11,852 out-of-state$54,71935%Yes*131 mi
458.1$5,280 in-state / $9,500 out-of-stateNot reported35%Yes*169 mi
555.2$5,310 in-state / $9,174 out-of-stateNot reported25%Yes*198 mi
650.8$6,006 in-state / $11,056 out-of-state$47,43027%Yes*328 mi
750.0$5,900 in-state / $6,500 out-of-state$48,41431%Yes*353 mi
849.8$5,832 in-state / $10,776 out-of-state$48,84022%Yes*17 mi
948.4$5,445 in-state / $12,308 out-of-state$55,10222%Yes*281 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Rhode Island offers career opportunities for solar installation technicians. This page covers how to become a Solar Installation Technician in Rhode Island, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path

Quick Answers About How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Rhode Island

How to become a Solar Installation Technician in Rhode Island? Rhode Island does not require a state license for solar installation technicians, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as NABCEP PV Associate Certification and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths into the solar installation technician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Rhode Island? No state license is required, but certifications such as NABCEP PV Associate Certification and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification are expected by most employers.

How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Rhode Island

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Rhode Island training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Rhode Island that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Earn an industry certification. While Rhode Island does not require a statewide license, earn NABCEP PV Associate Certification to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Solar Installation Technician Certification Options in Rhode Island

Rhode Island does not require a state license to work as a solar installation technician. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for solar installation technicians include:

  • NABCEP PV Associate Certification
  • OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification

For more information, visit the NABCEP - Board of Certified Energy Practitioners 1. Contact training programs in Rhode Island for details on certification preparation courses.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in Rhode Island

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Rhode Island’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship 2.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
  • Address: 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920-0943
  • Phone: (401) 462-8536
  • Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

Solar Photovoltaic Installers Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), solar photovoltaic installers wages in Rhode Island vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Providence-Warwick110$53,700$61,340$42,860$106,610

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for solar installation technicians in Rhode Island? Nationally, solar installation technician employment is projected to grow 42.1% from 2024 to 2034 3.

What training programs are available in Rhode Island? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Rhode Island. You can also contact the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

In Rhode Island

Top local programs

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Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

  1. NABCEP - Board of Certified Energy Practitioners: https://www.nabcep.org/ ↩︎

  2. Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship: http://www.dlt.ri.gov/apprenticeship/ ↩︎

  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)