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Solar Energy Industry Workers

Work Environment

Work environments in the solar energy industry vary by occupation. Clerks, secretaries, receptionists, computer professionals, lawyers, and business managers work indoors in climate-controlled offices. They typically work a standard 40-hour work week. Solar photovoltaic installers often travel from site to site in order to install or maintain equipment needed for solar projects. Installers and roofers often work at great heights on rooftops and ladders. Workers in these positions are at an increased risk of injury. Solar engineers may work indoors or outdoors, depending on the project. They work 40 hours a week, but longer hours may be required when projects are near deadlines. Solar engineers work in office buildings, laboratories, or industrial plants. They may spend time outdoors at solar power plants, and they may also spend time traveling to different plants and work sites in the United States as well as overseas. Semiconductor processors who work in clean rooms must wear "bunny suits," special lightweight garments that keep the cells and circuitry from becoming contaminated by dust and dirt.