Solar Energy Technician
Bradley is a solar electrician at Project Solar UK
I’m a Solar Energy Technician, installing solar power systems for people’s homes.
I connect the solar panels and batteries to the house safely, making sure everything follows electrical regulations.
It’s great knowing my work can help people cut their electricity bills, while also helping the environment.
The panels produce DC electricity, and an inverter helps turn that into electricity the home can use. I also set the system up and show the customer how it works.
I love that every job is a bit different – I like going to different places and meeting new people.
The end of a job is great, when the system is up and running and the customer is excited about their new technology. One customer was so chuffed, he told me that he always gets his app out at dinnertime, to show everyone what the panels are doing!
It’s rewarding too, knowing that I’m helping people save energy and doing something positive for the environment.
I love that electrical work gives you so many different opportunities. If one area isn’t for you, there are lots of other directions you can take. That’s how I ended up in solar, and now I don’t think I’d go back.
Problem solving is a huge part of my work. There’s always a plan A, but sometimes I get all the way to plan Z! If a cable can’t safely go where it was originally planned, I need to understand why and find another route that works for the customer.
Attention to detail is also really important. Electrical work can be dangerous if it isn’t done properly, so I don’t cut corners. I’ll triple-check or quadruple-check my work because a loose connection can be a fire risk.
Communication matters too. I’m working in people’s homes, so I need to be friendly, polite and professional. At the end of an installation, I need to explain the new system in a way that makes sense to each customer.
My favourite tool is my Milwaukee cable stapler. When I’m running cables, it lets me fix them neatly in place with fire-rated staples. It’s a quick, one-handed job – bang, bang, bang!
That’s especially useful when I’m working in a loft in the summer and I want to get out of the heat as quickly as possible!
I loved school, I was always having fun. I was a little bit naughty sometimes, but I got my head down as well and came away with good grades.
My proudest career moment is seeing my little brother follow in my footsteps. I’m the eldest, and he’s watched me build my career. Electrical work has given me lots of opportunities and experiences, and now he wants to take a similar route.
That’s really cool for me because I can help him along the way and pass on some of the things I’ve learnt.
One thing I didn’t expect was how much I’d have to push myself outside of my comfort zone in order to learn.
At college, we had to climb a ladder, and I was terrified of heights! I was shaking and thinking, how can I ever be an electrician, if I can’t climb a ladder? But I learnt that sometimes you have to take the leap and give things a go.
I was also nervous before I did my first solar panel installation, but I did it, and it went well. It made me realise how much of my existing skills and experience transferred across. It made think, ‘I can do this’.
If there’s something you want to do, go for it, but understand that it doesn’t happen overnight.
You have to work hard and keep learning. Getting qualified doesn’t instantly make you brilliant at the job. It takes time and lots of experience.
Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.
