Solar Installation Technician

Entry Level / Trades Background Welcome
Roanoke, VA | Full-Time

ABOUT SOLSHINE ENERGY ALTERNATIVES

Solshine is a locally owned solar installation company founded in 2010 and based in Roanoke, VA. For 16 years we’ve designed, installed, and serviced residential and commercial solar systems — rooftop, ground mount, battery backup, and EV charging — across Southwest Virginia. We’re a small, skilled team that takes quality seriously and stands behind every job we put our name on.

WHAT THIS JOB ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE

You’ll be on a crew installing solar electric systems at residential and commercial job sites across Southwest Virginia. This isn’t a one-trick role — we cross-train everyone so the crew can flex when needed. That means you’ll work both sides of an install: the array and the electrical.

On the array side, that looks like laying out roof or ground-mount systems, locating framing and installing roof attachments, setting railing, stringing array cabling, and mounting modules. On the electrical side, you’ll be routing and installing conduit from the array to the equipment, installing microinverters, combiners, string inverters, disconnects, batteries, and EV chargers, and making the final interconnection into the home or building’s existing electrical system.

Depending on the job you may also be operating a trencher for underground conduit runs or working from a man lift or boom lift on larger structures — no two job sites are exactly alike. Every day you’re working with your hands, working as a team, and building toward being someone who can handle any phase of a job from start to finish.

We train on everything solar-specific. What we can’t teach is work ethic, attention to detail, and the kind of pride in your work that makes you slow down and do it right.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

• Read and interpret installation plans, schematics, and work orders
• Operate hand tools, power tools, ladders, and equipment safely and correctly
• Document daily work progress through photo documentation and job checklists
• Keep job sites, company vehicles, and the shop clean and organized
• Work collaboratively as part of a small, close-knit crew where everyone pulls their weight
• Communicate clearly — both verbally and in writing — with the crew lead and flag material shortages or site issues
• Comply with Solshine’s Safety Policy and OSHA standards at all times
• Attain NABCEP PV Associate certification within 12 months of hire — you’ll be eligible after 6 months and we support you in getting there
• Represent Solshine professionally — in a company vehicle, on a job site, or in company gear, you are the face of the business

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

Solar experience is not required. What we’re looking for is someone with a solid construction
foundation who’s ready to learn the trade the right way, from the start. If you’ve spent years
swinging a hammer, running wire, or working on rooftops, we want to talk to you.

• 1–3+ years of hands-on experience in construction, roofing, framing, or a related trade
• Comfortable working on rooftops and at heights
• Familiar with hand tools, power tools, and basic job site safety
• Detail-oriented — you care about doing it right, not just getting it done
• Dependable, punctual, and coachable — you take direction well and ask questions when something isn’t clear
• Valid driver’s license; must be insurable to drive company vehicles
• Able to lift 50+ lbs and work outdoors in all weather conditions
• Self-motivated and eager to grow — technology in this industry evolves constantly and we value people who take initiative to stay current on their own
• Takes ownership of their own development — watches tutorials, studies the trade, and finds ways to get better outside of work hours
• Background with a small GC, remodeler, roofer, or similar is a strong plus — broad job site exposure beats narrow specialization

Bonus points for: any electrical background, OSHA 10 or 30, prior lead/supervisory experience in the trades, or experience operating equipment such as trenchers or man lifts

ROOM TO GROW

This is an entry-level position, but Solshine is a small team — which means your work gets
noticed and advancement is real. We reward people who show up, do quality work, and
demonstrate leadership. There’s room to grow here for the right person.

WHY WORK AT SOLSHINE

• $18–$22/hr starting pay based on experience
• Paid time off — accrual begins immediately
• Paid company holidays
• Paid weather days — if the day’s work is outside-only and weather shuts it down, you’re not losing pay
• Retirement plan — Solshine has a history of contributing on behalf of employees
• Stable, year-round work in a growing industry
• Small team, no corporate nonsense — your work gets noticed
• Real training, real advancement, and work you can be proud of

English language proficiency is required for this position.