Wind Turbine Technicians

Career summary

Wind turbine technicians build and keep wind turbine machines running properly. They do preventative maintenance. They troubleshoot problems and do repairs.

Each turbine tower needs regular maintenance. During maintenance, technicians check moving parts and repair and replace malfunctioning parts and equipment. They change filters and oil levels. They maintain electrical motors, hydraulics, transmissions, and drives.

Technicians monitor computers to test and maintain turbines. Each turbine has two computers, one at the base and one at the top. Technicians climb a series of ladders to reach the top of the tower about 200 feet off the ground.

Technicians get inside the turbine and inspect the gears, motor, and generator. They clean oil and grease that has dripped off the equipment.

Outside, the turbine technicians make sure all of instruments are secure and the fiberglass top is in working order and not damaged. Teamwork is important for technicians since usually two or more work together, and safety and a smooth-running work environment are critical. They maintain all tools and safety equipment.

Many technicians travel throughout the US to work on wind farms. Some travel and work on wind turbines in foreign countries.

Related careers

This career is part of the Manufacturing cluster of careers.

Related careers include:

• Airplane Assemblers
• Electric Motor Repairers
• Electronics Engineering Technologists
• Engineering Technicians
• Fuel Cell Technicians
• Industrial Electronics Repairers
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Machinists
• Millwrights
• Numerical Control Machine Operators

Job duties

Task list

The following list of tasks is specific to wind turbine technicians.

• Diagnose problems with generators or control systems.
• Climb wind turbine towers to inspect, maintain, or repair equipment.
• Test parts of wind systems using various tools.
• Start or restart wind turbine generator systems to make sure they work properly.
• Maintain tools and spare parts inventories.
• Perform routine maintenance on all equipment, substations, and systems.
• Test structures, controls, and systems, in coordination with engineers.
• Train others in how to test and maintain wind turbine systems.
• Collect data for testing or research.
• May operate manufacturing equipment to make new turbines.
• Assist the assembly of new generators or wind farms.

Common work activities

Wind turbine technicians perform the following tasks. These tasks are common to many careers.

• Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
• Repair and maintain mechanical equipment
• Perform activities that use the whole body
• Repair and maintain electronic equipment
• Control machines and processes
• Handle and move objects
• Make decisions and solve problems
• Get information needed to do the job
• Identify objects, actions, and events
• Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
• Use computers
• Evaluate information against standards
• Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
• Operate vehicles or mechanized equipment
• Document and record information
• Update and use job-related knowledge
• Organize, plan, and prioritize work
• Establish and maintain relationships
• Teach others
• Think creatively
• Process information
• Judge the value of objects, services, or people
• Schedule work and activities
• Analyze data or information
• Coordinate the work and activities of others
• Estimate sizes, quantities, time, cost, or materials needed
• Explain the meaning of information to others
• Coach others
• Develop goals and strategies
• Perform administrative tasks
• Develop and build teams

Work requirements

Working conditions

In a typical work setting, wind turbine technicians:

Interpersonal relationships

• Have a high level of social interaction. They talk with supervisors and other technicians throughout the day.
• Are greatly responsible for the health and safety of others.
• Are somewhat responsible for the work done by other technicians.
• Write e-mails on a daily basis. They also write letters and memos, but less frequently.
• Work as part of a team of technicians and engineers.

Physical work conditions

• Always wear protective safety gear while working. This may include hard hats and safety harnesses, among other items.
• Climb to high places on a daily basis.
• Are exposed to hazardous conditions, equipment, and situations on a daily basis.
• Work both indoors and outdoors, but spend more time outdoors repairing turbines.
• Often must get into awkward positions to reach cramped work spaces.
• Are often exposed to hot or cold temperatures, depending on the weather.
• Sometimes work amid noisy or distracting sounds.
• Are sometimes exposed to contaminants.
• May work in extremely bright or dim lighting, depending on weather and the time of day.
• Work very near others, within a few feet.
• Travel to turbines and work sites by car, truck, or van.

Work performance

• Must be exact when fixing turbines. Errors can harm other technicians and reduce the effectiveness of turbines.
• Repeat the same physical activities most days.
• Must meet weekly deadlines to repair or maintain turbines.
• Make most decisions without talking to a supervisor first. When they are physically on a turbine, they may have to act quickly.
• Regularly make decisions that affect their company's reputation.
• Set their daily tasks and goals by maintenance schedules and needed repairs.

Hours/travel

• Usually work a 40-hour week.
• May be on call to handle emergencies during evenings and weekends.
• Often must travel to rural areas.

Physical demands

Wind turbine technicians frequently:

• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Stand for long periods of time.
• Climb ladders, scaffolds, or poles.
• Bend or twist their body.

It is important for wind turbine technicians to be able to:

• See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
• Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
• Use one or two hands to grasp, move, or assemble objects.
• Use fingers to grasp, move, or assemble very small objects.
• Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
• Understand the speech of another person.
• Determine the distance between objects.
• See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
• Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
• See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
• Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.

It is not as important, but still necessary, for wind turbine technicians to be able to:

• Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
• Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
• Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
• React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
• Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
• Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
• Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
• Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
• Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
• Move arms and legs quickly.
• Adjust body movements or equipment controls to keep pace with speed changes of moving objects.
• See objects in very bright or glaring light.
• Determine from which direction a sound came.
• While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
• Make fast, repeated movements of fingers, hands, and wrists.

Skills and abilities

Wind turbine technicians need to:

Communicate

• Understand spoken information.
• Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
• Read and understand work-related materials.
• Understand written information.
• Listen to others and ask questions.

Reason and problem solve

• Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
• Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
• Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
• Follow guidelines to arrange objects or actions in a certain order.
• Recognize the nature of a problem.
• Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
• Judge the costs and benefits of a possible action.
• Develop rules that group items in various ways.
• Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
• Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.

Manage oneself, people, time, and things

• Check how well one is learning or doing something.

Work with people

• Change behavior in relation to others' actions.

Work with things

• Determine the causes of technical problems and find solutions for them.
• Repair machines or systems.
• Maintain equipment on a routine basis. Determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
• Watch gauges, dials, and output to make sure a machine is working properly.
• Operate and control equipment.
• Inspect and evaluate the quality of products.

Perceive and visualize

• Imagine how something will look if it is moved around or its parts are rearranged.
• Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
• Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.

Education and training

Educational programs

The programs of study listed below will help you prepare for the occupation or career cluster you are exploring.

Programs of study directly related to this occupation

• Industrial Mechanics

Other programs of study to consider

• Computer Systems Technology
• Electrical and Electronics Equipment Installation and Repair
• Electrical and Power Transmission
• Energy Management and Systems Technology
• Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Training

To work as a wind turbine technician, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• complete a formal training program; and
• complete long-term, on-the-job training.

Education after high school

Most wind turbine technicians earn a certificate in wind energy technology at technical schools or community colleges. In this program you learn about electrical and hydraulic maintenance, braking and mechanical systems, computers and control systems, and safety and first aid.

A small number of wind energy education and training programs  are offered in the United States. Be careful when enrolling in programs in this area. Because this is an emerging area of study, the industry does not yet have training requirements. As a result, the quality and depth of information provided by programs vary widely. You should investigate the schools you are interested in.

Work experience

Wind farming is an emerging industry so there is currently no US accepted standard for wind turbine technicians. Generally, those with work experience in a related occupation are able to find jobs as technicians. You should have a strong technical background. You may need training in safety requirements specific to wind turbine technology. A background and understanding of mechanical and electrical principles are good preparation.

On-the-job training

Once on the job, you receive training related to the wind turbines you will work on. Part of this training is manufacturer training. Other training may include an internship with a wind turbine servicing contractor. Training typically lasts at least one year.

Helpful high school courses

In high school, take classes that prepare you for college. A college preparatory curriculum  may be different from your state's graduation requirements .

You should also consider taking some advanced courses in high school. This includes Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses if they are available in your school. If you do well in these courses, you may receive college credit for them. Advanced courses can also strengthen your college application.

Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this career include:

• Blueprint Reading
• Computer Applications
• Computer-Assisted Design (CAD)
• Electronics

Many wind turbine technicians are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:

• Accounting
• Entrepreneurship
• Introduction to Business

The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.

You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career. Here are examples of activities and groups  that may be available in your high school or community.

Things to know

Employers look for wind turbine technicians who have attended a training program or have a combination of training and experience. They also look for technicians with strong engineering and electrical skills. Technicians must be comfortable with heights and using a variety of specialty tools.

Wages

Wages vary by employer and area of the country. The technician's level of training, experience, and responsibility also affect wages.

Wind turbine technicians who work full time usually receive benefits. Typical benefits include sick leave, paid vacation, and health insurance.

Employment and outlook

Washington outlook

The table below provides information about the number of workers in this career in various regions. It also provides information about the expected growth rate and future job openings.

National employment

About 13% of wind turbine technicians are self-employed.

Major employers:

• Commercial and industrial repair and maintenance companies
• Electric power companies
• Utility companies

National outlook

Demand for this occupation will be very strong. However, it is still a small occupation and very few jobs will be created. Wind energy is becoming more competitive with coal and natural gas as a source of energy. As more wind turbines are built demand will grow.

Job prospects are best for technicians with formal training. They are also better in areas such as coastal regions and the Midwest where wind is more prevalent. Some areas have reported a shortage of workers.

Other resources

American Wind Energy Association 
1501 M Street NW, Suite 1000
Washington, DC 20005
202.383.2500

Electronics Technicians Association, International 
5 Depot Street
Greencastle, IN 46135
800.288.3824
765.653.8262

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy information 
(US Department of Energy)

Engineer Girl! 
National Academy of Engineering

National Renewable Energy Laboratory 
901 D Street SW, Suite 930
Washington, DC 20024
202.488.2200

Technology Student Association 
1904 Association Drive
Reston, VA 20191-1540
888.860.9010

Washington Business Week 
PO Box 1170
Renton, WA 98057
253.237.3545

Wind Energy 
(US Department of Energy)

Wind Solar Alliance 

References

Career cluster

• Manufacturing

Career path

• Realistic (Technical)

O*Net  occupation

• Wind Turbine Service Technicians (49-9081.00) 

O*Net job zone 

• Job Zone 3 - Medium preparation needed. Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations.

DOT occupation

• Wind-generating-electric-power Installer (821.381-018) 

Holland occupational clusters

• Realistic/Conventional/Enterprising
• Realistic/Conventional/Investigative

COPSystem

• Technology Skilled