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47-2231.00 · Learning planner

Solar Photovoltaic Installers: a task-based learning plan

Assemble, install, or maintain solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on roofs or other structures in compliance with site assessment and schematics. May include measuring, cutting, assembling, and bolting structural framing and solar modules. May perform minor electrical work such as current checks.

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Understand the profile before choosing priorities

The table shows the ten highest importance ratings among 35 skills with usable ratings. Skills tied on importance can share a rank. Importance (1–5) and level (0–7) describe different dimensions. A level of 4 is not 4/7 of a course, and neither scale is your personal score. Source dates refer to the underlying rating, not the database release date.

SkillImportance / 5Level / 7Rating date
Installation3.383.3808/2024 · Analyst
Critical Thinking3.253.5008/2024 · Analyst
Quality Control Analysis3.123.2508/2024 · Analyst
Active Listening3.123.0008/2024 · Analyst
Monitoring3.123.0008/2024 · Analyst
Operations Monitoring3.122.8808/2024 · Analyst
Judgment and Decision Making3.122.8808/2024 · Analyst
Troubleshooting3.003.1208/2024 · Analyst
Reading Comprehension3.003.0008/2024 · Analyst
Active Learning3.003.0008/2024 · Analyst

Anchor the plan in an actual task

Choose one reported task you want to understand better. Then choose one to three skills and describe an appropriate learning activity, evidence you will review and a date. For practical work requiring authorization, choose relevant coursework, observation or supervised training.

Installation

Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for solar photovoltaic installers.

Level 4: Install a speaker system in a car

Level 2: Install a new air filter in an air conditioner

What specifications, authorized training and checks would you need before taking part in an installation?

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for solar photovoltaic installers.

Level 4: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses

Level 2: Determine whether a subordinate has a good excuse for being late

What assumption could change your conclusion, and what evidence would you check first?

Quality Control Analysis

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for solar photovoltaic installers.

Level 4: Assess new parts for precision and accuracy to specifications

Level 2: Inspect a draft email for errors (e.g., grammar, punctuation)

What is being checked, what defines a defect, and what evidence would be retained?

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for solar photovoltaic installers.

Level 2: Take a customer's order

Level 4: Answer inquiries regarding credit references

What would you ask the other person to clarify, and how would you confirm you understood?

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for solar photovoltaic installers.

Level 2: Proofread and correct a letter

Level 4: Monitor a meeting and revise the agenda to ensure important topics are discussed

What result or exception would you inspect during the task, and when would you revisit it?

Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for solar photovoltaic installers.

Level 2: Monitor completion times while running a computer program

Level 4: Monitor machine functions on an automated production line

Which indicator would you observe, what is its expected range, and how would you record an exception?

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for solar photovoltaic installers.

Level 2: Decide how scheduling a break will affect work flow

Level 4: Evaluate a loan application for degree of risk

Which options, constraints and consequences would you compare, and what could change the choice?

Troubleshooting

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for solar photovoltaic installers.

Level 4: Identify the circuit causing an electrical system to fail

Level 2: Identify the source of a leak by looking under a machine

Which observations would distinguish two possible causes before changing anything?

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for solar photovoltaic installers.

Level 2: Read step-by-step instructions for completing a form

Level 4: Understand an email from management describing new personnel policies

Which instruction, constraint or exception in a document would you need to explain accurately?

Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Read the scale examples

These generic examples illustrate the level scale. They are not required activities for solar photovoltaic installers.

Level 2: Think about the implications of a news article for job opportunities

Level 4: Determine the impact of new menu changes on a restaurant's purchasing requirements

What new information would change your approach, and how would you record the change?

Review the result

Your plan should explain why the selected skills matter for your chosen task, what you will do next and what evidence you will examine. Revisit the plan after that activity. Completing a worksheet or matching an occupation’s ratings does not establish professional competence.

Keep your worksheet

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.