How to Become a Solar Installation Technician in Tennessee (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 Tennessee

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
155.0$3,524 in-state / $6,092 out-of-state$50,46932%Yes*220 mi
254.3$3,390 in-state / $5,958 out-of-state$47,29951%Yes*255 mi
354.3$3,516 in-state / $6,084 out-of-state$47,00958%Yes*243 mi
454.3$3,992 in-state / $7,202 out-of-state$40,85261%Yes*308 mi
553.6$3,300 in-state / $5,868 out-of-state$44,49043%Yes*160 mi
651.0$3,410 in-state / $5,978 out-of-state$43,83535%Yes*186 mi
749.8$3,330 in-state / $5,898 out-of-state$47,26539%Yes*227 mi
849.2$5,007 in-state / $11,445 out-of-state$43,70348%Yes*264 mi
946.8$3,364 in-state / $5,932 out-of-state$37,10442%Yes*340 mi
1045.5$4,762 in-state / $17,746 out-of-state$45,29537%Yes*141 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.

Tennessee offers career opportunities for solar installation technicians. This page covers how to become a Solar Installation Technician in Tennessee, 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 Tennessee

How to become a Solar Installation Technician in Tennessee? Tennessee 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 Tennessee? 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 Tennessee

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee 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 Tennessee

Tennessee 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 Tennessee for details on certification preparation courses.

Solar Installation Technician Apprenticeship Information in Tennessee

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Tennessee’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Tennessee Department of Labor And Workforce Development - Apprenticeship 2.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Apprenticeship TN
  • Address: 220 French Landing Dr., Nashville, TN 37243
  • Phone: (615) 532-0148
  • Email: [email protected]

Solar Installation Technician Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee

Frequently Asked Questions

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

What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Tennessee. You can also contact the Tennessee Department of Labor And Workforce Development - Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

In Tennessee

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. Tennessee Department of Labor And Workforce Development - Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

  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)