With the solar energy industry experiencing rapid growth in Russellville, AL, and the surrounding areas, now is an ideal time to pursue a rewarding career in the solar trade. From entry-level opportunities to advanced technical roles, solar careers offer competitive salaries, benefits, and long-term job stability. Whether you're beginning your journey from high school, transitioning from another job sector, or searching for a new career path, solar trade careers provide multiple entry points and opportunities for growth.
Solar jobs in Russellville range from solar installation technicians to maintenance workers and electricians. According to 2025 market trends, Alabama currently has around 88 solar-related job openings, with competitive wages between $15 to $48/hour, depending on the role and experience. New initiatives like First Solar’s $1.1 billion solar module plant in Decatur, AL, are expected to create over 700 jobs, significantly expanding job opportunities near Russellville by 2025. 12
For individuals looking to break into this dynamic industry, understanding the educational requirements, certification pathways, local training programs, and job search strategies is essential. To help you start your career strong, this guide outlines everything you need to know about entering the solar industry in Russellville, including the latest data on pay, job growth, skill development, and more.
If you're ready to begin your solar trade career, start your journey today by exploring current solar technician apprenticeships, beginner roles, and career pathways in Russellville AL with Gild.
Solar trade professionals work in a variety of roles across installation, maintenance, manufacturing, and support services for photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems.
Manufacturing hubs like Decatur, AL, are boosting regional employment, with hourly wages ranging from $30 to $42/hour for field service technicians and over $100,000 annually for supervisory roles. 31
To start a solar trade career in Russellville, AL, individuals must meet foundational educational and training requirements:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent is typically required for entry-level roles4. |
| Physical Fitness | Ability to lift heavy equipment, climb ladders, and work outdoors in varying conditions 1. |
| Training | Completion of certificate programs in solar installation or electrical systems offers a significant advantage 5. |
Some employers in Russellville and nearby areas accept on-the-job training for early career roles, often just requiring a few hours per week of hands-on instruction and safety training6.
While a high school diploma or GED is enough for many entry-level positions, enrolling in a solar trade training program will better position candidates for success and faster career growth.
These programs prepare you for valuable certifications like the NABCEP PV Installation Professional Certification, which employers in the sector highly value. 4
Many solar employer jobs in Russellville offer short-term training modules of 2-4 hours per week to help new workers fully understand installation and maintenance practices1. Additionally, workers performing physical labor often begin with roles such as an apprentice solar technician, where you learn how to:
To find early job experiences, job seekers are encouraged to look on popular platforms such as:
While not always required, earning industry certifications significantly enhances employment prospects, especially for installation, design, and oversight roles.
Starting with foundational training enables progression into more advanced roles within 6 months to 2 years, depending on workforce demand and personal dedication. 35
If you're ready to take your first steps into a solar trade apprenticeship or entry-level career, start today by exploring local solar job opportunities with Gild.
The solar industry in Alabama is currently expanding rapidly due to major investments like the First Solar manufacturing plant, projected to achieve 3.5 GW of manufacturing capacity and create 700+ solar jobs in Decatur2. Russellville is within proximity to this boom, offering growing access to solar trade employment by 2025.
| Job Title | Hourly Pay (Avg.) | Annual Salary (Avg.) |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Installer | $15 - $22.20/hour1 | $30,000 - $45,000/year |
| Solar Technician | $18 - $25/hour | $38,000 - $52,000/year |
| Field Service Technician | $30 - $42/hour | $60,000 - $88,000/year 3 |
| Solar Project Manager | N/A | > $100,000/year for senior roles1 |
While solar installer wages in Alabama are ranked at 50th nationwide, areas close to Decatur report higher salaries, with experienced solar managers earning significant income in high-demand positions. 2
Additionally, federal incentives like the 30% federal solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC) are increasing homeowner solar adoption in Russellville, driving demand for more workers across installation, maintenance, and system support services7.
If you’re interested in pursuing a stable, growing career with strong earning potential, start exploring solar trade jobs near you and take the next step with Gild.
While the solar industry in Russellville, AL is expanding, there are still barriers to entry that aspiring workers must overcome to fully benefit from the growing opportunities:
For those ready to start training and working in solar trades, advanced preparation is key. Certified and experienced workers will be well-positioned for the increased job flow generated from Decatur’s recent clean energy developments1.
If you're looking to fast-track your journey and qualify for professional roles in solar trades, apply today to solar apprenticeships and technician programs in Russellville via Gild. Starting now means securing opportunities in one of the fastest-growing employment sectors in northern Alabama.
Breaking into a solar trade career in Russellville, AL, can be a fulfilling career move with growth potential and reliable demand. From entry-level labor roles to advanced installation technician positions, the solar industry offers multiple pathways to both start and scale long-term careers.
The solar job market in Russellville, AL, is expected to see steady growth in the coming years, creating more openings for trained workers in solar installation, maintenance, and production operations. By developing your skills now, you’ll be well-positioned to take advantage of the wave of new job opportunities by 2025 and beyond.
If you're ready to take the next big step toward a new and growing career in solar energy, visit Gild today to apply for the latest solar technician jobs in Russellville, AL, apprenticeships, and entry-level positions!
Now is your chance to build a better career with purpose, stability, and growth in the renewable energy sector. Don't wait—start your journey in the solar trade today!
https://www.indeed.com/q-solar-l-alabama-jobs.html ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4 ↩5 ↩6 ↩7 ↩8 ↩9 ↩10
Top Solar Trade Careers in Decatur AL 2025 | Gild ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
https://jobs.getgild.com/blog/how-to-become-solar-in-decatur-al ↩ ↩2 ↩3
https://www.irecsolarcareermap.org/jobs/solar-construction-worker ↩ ↩2
https://www.indeed.com/q-solar-energy-l-alabama-jobs.html ↩ ↩2
https://www.ecowatch.com/solar/incentives/al/russellville ↩ ↩2 ↩3
