Ask the HR team at almost any solar module plant or solar EPC company what they struggle to find, and the answer is rarely engineers. It is trained ITI electricians and technicians who can read a single-line diagram, crimp an MC4 connector correctly and understand why a string of panels is showing low voltage. That gap is good news for ITI students and pass-outs. With the right short training and an apprenticeship, an ITI certificate can lead straight into solar plant work in 2026.
Anúncios
This guide is for ITI Electrician, Wireman, Fitter and Electronics Mechanic candidates who want to enter the solar sector, and it explains the Suryamitra skill programme, the apprenticeship route and the jobs that open up afterwards.
Why ITI Candidates Fit Solar Work So Well
Solar power is electrical work at its heart. Panels produce DC electricity, inverters convert it to AC, and everything is connected through cables, combiner boxes, protection devices and earthing. An ITI Electrician already studies most of these basics. What solar employers add is knowledge of photovoltaic (PV) modules, DC safety, inverter settings and installation standards. That is a gap of weeks or a few months, not years.
What Is the Suryamitra Skill Development Programme?
Suryamitra is a skill development programme supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and run through the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) with partner training centres across states. It trains young people as solar PV technicians who can install, commission, operate and maintain solar systems. The course has historically been a residential programme of around three months, with classroom theory, practical sessions on real panels and inverters, and an assessment at the end.
Who can usually join
- ITI pass-outs in Electrician, Wireman, Electronics Mechanic, Fitter or similar trades.
- Diploma holders in electrical, electronics or mechanical engineering.
- In some batches, candidates with science in 12th and an interest in electrical work.
Eligibility, batch dates, age limits and fees (where any) change from round to round, so always check the current notice on the NISE or MNRE website or contact the training centre listed there. Do not trust a private WhatsApp group that claims to “sell” Suryamitra seats.
What the training covers
- Basics of solar radiation and how PV modules work.
- Series and parallel connection of panels, string sizing and simple calculations.
- Mounting structures, roof assessment and shadow analysis.
- Inverters, batteries, charge controllers and net metering basics.
- Earthing, lightning protection and DC safety.
- Commissioning, cleaning, preventive maintenance and fault finding.
- Soft skills, customer handling and basic entrepreneurship.
The Apprenticeship Route into Solar Plants
The second door is formal apprenticeship. Manufacturers and power companies register seats on the Apprenticeship India portal, where ITI pass-outs can apply. During the apprenticeship you receive a monthly stipend, work on the plant floor or in maintenance, and gain a certificate that strengthens your resume. Many plants absorb good apprentices into regular or contract roles at the end of the term.
To use this route:
- Create a profile on the Apprenticeship India portal with your ITI details.
- Search for opportunities with keywords like solar, photovoltaic, module, renewable or power.
- Apply to establishments in your state and nearby industrial belts such as Gujarat, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
- Track the application on the portal and respond quickly when called.
Solar Plant Jobs Open to ITI Candidates
Maintenance Electrician in a Module Factory
Module lines at companies like Waaree, Adani Solar and Premier Energies run stringers, laminators, conveyors and testers around the clock. Maintenance electricians handle breakdowns, preventive maintenance, motor and panel wiring, and machine safety interlocks.
Production Operator with Electrical Background
Many ITI freshers start as operators on the line. Their electrical knowledge helps on stations like the flash tester and junction box fitting, and they are often first in line for promotion to technician.
Solar Installation Technician
EPC companies and rooftop installers hire ITI and Suryamitra-trained technicians for site work: mounting structures, laying cables, connecting inverters and commissioning systems.
O&M Technician at a Solar Park
Large ground-mounted solar parks need technicians for daily inspections, module cleaning supervision, inverter monitoring, fault isolation and record keeping.
Substation and Inverter Room Assistant
Utility-scale plants connect to the grid through transformers and switchyards. ITI Electricians with some experience can work as assistants to shift engineers here.
Approximate Salary for ITI Holders in Solar
These are approximate ranges commonly advertised for entry-level and early-career solar roles in India. They are not company pay scales and vary by state, employer and whether you are on contract.
| Role | Approximate monthly pay (commonly advertised) |
|---|---|
| ITI trainee / helper at a solar factory | ₹15,000 – ₹22,000 |
| Production operator (ITI) | ₹16,000 – ₹24,000 |
| Maintenance electrician (factory) | ₹18,000 – ₹28,000 |
| Solar installation technician (Suryamitra / ITI) | ₹18,000 – ₹28,000 |
| O&M technician at a solar park | ₹18,000 – ₹28,000 |
Apprentices receive a stipend instead of a salary during the apprenticeship period, as per the rules applicable at the time. Field roles may add travel or site allowance.
Skills Employers Test for ITI Candidates
- Using a multimeter and clamp meter to measure voltage, current and continuity.
- Understanding MCBs, fuses, SPDs, isolators and earthing.
- Reading simple wiring and single-line diagrams.
- Safe working at height and lock-out / tag-out practices.
- Basic knowledge of inverters and how to read their error codes.
- Neat cable routing, termination and labelling.
How to Apply Step by Step
- Finish your ITI and keep your NCVT / SCVT certificate ready.
- Check the NISE website for upcoming Suryamitra or other solar skill batches and apply through the official channel.
- Register on the Apprenticeship India portal and the National Career Service portal.
- Visit the careers pages of manufacturers and power companies, including Tata Power, and apply for technician or apprentice roles.
- Attend campus drives at your ITI; solar companies regularly recruit through ITI placement cells.
Selection Process
Written or trade test
Questions on Ohm’s law, AC/DC basics, wiring symbols and safety are common.
Practical test
You may be asked to wire a small circuit, identify components or measure values with a meter.
Interview
The interviewer checks your understanding, attitude to shifts and site travel, and your willingness to learn.
Medical and joining
A fitness check and document verification complete the process.
Documents You Will Need
- ITI certificate and mark sheets (NCVT / SCVT)
- Suryamitra or other skill certificate, if completed
- 10th and 12th certificates
- Aadhaar, PAN and bank details
- Apprenticeship certificate and experience letters, if any
- Photographs and UAN number if you had PF earlier
Career Path After Two to Five Years
An ITI Electrician who joins a solar plant as an operator or trainee can become a senior technician, then a shift supervisor in maintenance or O&M. Those who add a diploma through part-time study can move towards junior engineer roles. Suryamitra-trained technicians often go independent after a few years, working as rooftop installers or vendors under state DISCOMs and the PM Surya Ghar scheme. The skills are portable, so you can move between factories, EPC companies and solar parks.
ITI Trade Comparison for Solar Work
| ITI trade | Best-fit solar roles |
|---|---|
| Electrician | Maintenance, installation, O&M, inverter room |
| Wireman | Rooftop installation, cabling, junction boxes |
| Electronics Mechanic | Inverter servicing, testing and quality labs |
| Fitter | Mounting structures, machine maintenance on module lines |
What a Solar Skill Training Week Looks Like
Trainees who have completed solar skill courses often describe a routine that mixes classroom and field work. Mornings usually start with theory on a specific topic, for example how irradiance and temperature affect panel output or how to calculate the number of panels a 3 kW rooftop needs. After lunch, the batch moves to the practical yard, where small groups assemble mounting structures, fix panels, run DC cables to a combiner box and connect an inverter under the trainer’s supervision. Later in the course, trainees practise commissioning: checking polarity, measuring open-circuit voltage of each string, testing insulation and switching the system on in the correct order. Many batches also include a site visit to a working rooftop or ground-mounted plant so that trainees see real equipment, real dust and real heat. Keeping a notebook of every reading and every mistake you make during training is one of the best habits you can build, because employers love technicians who can explain what they checked and why.
Safety Habits Every Solar ITI Technician Should Build
Solar work has a special risk that many new electricians underestimate: a panel produces voltage as soon as light falls on it, and you cannot switch the sun off. Strings of panels can reach several hundred volts DC, and DC arcs are harder to break than AC arcs. Good technicians therefore always isolate the DC side before touching connectors, cover panels when required, use insulated tools, and never disconnect a connector under load. On rooftops, a safety harness, proper ladder placement and awareness of fragile roof sheets are just as important as electrical skills. Heat stress is real in Indian summers, so drinking water regularly and planning heavy work for early hours is part of doing the job well. Employers notice technicians who follow these habits without being reminded, and those are the people who get promoted to team leader first.
Beware of Fake Training and Job Offers
Some agents promise “guaranteed government solar job after Suryamitra” or ask for large payments for certificates. Government skill programmes do not guarantee jobs and are applied for through official training centres. Never pay an individual for a seat or an appointment letter, never share OTPs, and verify any offer on the company’s official careers page. Report fraud on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or call 1930, and report fake calls through Sanchar Saathi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Suryamitra training useful for getting a solar job?
Yes, it gives practical knowledge that installers and plants look for, but it does not guarantee a job. Combine it with an apprenticeship or field experience.
Which ITI trade is best for solar plant jobs?
Electrician is the most versatile, followed by Wireman and Electronics Mechanic.
What is the approximate salary for an ITI electrician in a solar plant?
Commonly advertised pay is roughly ₹18,000 to ₹28,000 a month for maintenance and field technician roles, depending on location and experience.
Can I apply for a solar apprenticeship online?
Yes, through the Apprenticeship India portal, where companies list apprenticeship seats.
Do I need to know English for solar work?
Basic reading of English labels and manuals helps, but most plant communication happens in Hindi or the local language.
Final Thoughts
For ITI candidates, solar is one of the clearest career paths available in 2026. Add solar-specific training through official programmes, take an apprenticeship seriously, and apply directly through company and government portals. The demand for hands-on technicians who understand PV systems is only growing.
Disclaimer
This article is an independent career guide written for information only. We are not a recruiter, placement agency or representative of Waaree, Adani Solar, Tata Power Solar, Premier Energies, Vikram Solar or any government scheme, and we do not collect applications or fees. Salary figures are approximate ranges commonly advertised for similar roles and change with city, shift, experience and employer; confirm the actual pay, deductions and benefits in a written offer letter. Always apply through the official careers pages and government portals linked above.
