The solar industry has grown significantly due to sustainability and renewable energy goals, with solar

power accounting for over 35% of global net power generation. The United States has experienced rapid
growth, averaging a 42% annual increase and installing over 100 Gigawatts of solar capacity. Many
states aim to generate over 60% of electricity from renewables like solar, likely leading to 400,000 solar
jobs by 2030. Photovoltaic (PV) installation, comprising 67% of solar employment, is a major driver of
this success. Jobs for solar PV installers are projected to grow by 52% from 2020 to 2030, surpassing the
average job growth rate. As PV installations continue to rise, maintaining a focus on health and safety
practices within the sector is vital.

Photovoltaic installers face widespread safety risks including musculoskeletal disorders, falls, electrical
dangers, and heat stress. These risks lead to work-related injuries and fatalities, with musculoskeletal
disorders causing a significant portion of days-away-from-work cases. Falls and electrocutions are
prominent causes of fatalities in the construction industry. Heat-related incidents also pose a substantial
threat, historically causing numerous deaths in the construction sector. However, there is inadequate
reporting and verification of accidents, fatalities, and property damage within the solar industry.

Reporting and verifying accidents involving photovoltaic (PV) installers is currently limited, primarily
focusing on falls and electrocutions while overlooking other potential hazards such as musculoskeletal
disorders (MSDs) and heat-related illnesses (HRIs) associated with PV installation work. This limited
reporting hinders a comprehensive understanding of the entire spectrum of risks inherent in PV
installation. The available accident reports underscore a lack of proper utilization of engineering
controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment (PPE), all of which significantly
contribute to injuries and fatalities among PV installers. As a result, conducting a thorough review of
safety risks and mitigation measures in PV installations is vital to raise awareness and educate installers
about effective on-site safety practices.

Previous solar safety research has primarily focused on addressing fire risks, particularly related to
photovoltaic (PV) systems. Several studies by Aram et al. (2021), Lu et al. (2018a), Ong et al. (2022),
Wang et al. (2021), and Wu et al. (2020) have centered on methods to reduce fire-related hazards. Ong
et al. (2022) used BowTie analysis to study fire risks in rooftop grid-connected PV systems, pinpointing
arc faults and incorrect installations as main contributors to fire incidents during PV system operation.
Wang et al. (2021) employed fault tree analysis, regression analysis, and machine learning to create a
model for predicting PV failures in utility-scale solar systems, with the goal of providing early warnings to
minimize fire risks. Notably, recent research indicates a growing interest in mitigating safety risks
beyond fire hazards within the solar industry.

While progress has been achieved in recognizing occupational hazards faced by solar workers during
photovoltaic (PV) installations, a comprehensive literature review encompassing risks, ways to mitigate
them, and potential research directions in PV installation safety is absent. Existing literature reviews
have explored certain risks and factors associated with solar installation work, often within broader
studies on occupational risks throughout the PV system life cycle. As a result, these reviews provide only
a limited overview of PV installation risks. Additionally, more in-depth reviews have tended to
concentrate on specific risks like fire and electrical dangers or on specific installation types such as
floating solar photovoltaic projects. This gap in the literature leaves uncertainties about how various
risks are interconnected and their overall impact on PV installation safety across different contexts.
There's a critical need for research to comprehend these relationships and establish comprehensive
safety measures to address these risks.