If you own or operate a solar panel installation business and need your NAICS code, here is your answer right away.
The primary NAICS code for a solar panel installation contractor is 238210, classified under Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors in the Construction sector. However, “solar installation” is a broad term. The right code for your business depends on whether you install photovoltaic electric panels, solar water heaters, or operate a utility-scale solar farm. This page covers the relevant codes so you can identify the one that fits.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| NAICS Code | 238210 |
| Industry Title | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors |
| Sector | 23 (Construction) |
| Industry Group | 238 |
| Last Updated | 2022 NAICS Edition (Next NAICS Edition will come in 2027) |
What Does NAICS Code 238210 Cover?
According to the official 2022 NAICS data, code 238210 covers establishments primarily engaged in installing and servicing electrical wiring systems and equipment.
In simple terms, this is the code for standard solar panel installation contractors. Even though you are installing energy-generating equipment on a roof, the federal government classifies the physical act of wiring solar panels, connecting them to inverters, and tying them into a building’s electrical panel as electrical contracting work. For solar businesses, this includes:
- Installing rooftop and ground-mount photovoltaic (PV) solar arrays for homes and businesses
- Wiring the solar panels to the inverter and connecting the system to the main electrical grid
- Installing solar battery backup systems (like Tesla Powerwalls) and their associated electrical integration
- Acting as a full-service EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contractor for solar projects
- Performing ongoing electrical maintenance and troubleshooting on existing solar systems
The important distinction here is electrical integration. This code covers the hands-on work of safely integrating the solar equipment into the building’s power infrastructure. It does not cover manufacturing the panels, nor does it cover operating a power plant.
Does My Solar Business Qualify for Code 238210?
Your business qualifies for NAICS code 238210 if:
- You operate as a solar contractor installing PV panels for residential, commercial, or industrial clients
- Your main source of revenue comes from the labor and electrical contracting required to build solar arrays
- You pull electrical permits to connect solar systems to the grid
Your business may not qualify if:
- You install solar thermal systems or solar water heaters (which use the sun to heat fluid or air rather than generating electricity), which falls under 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors) instead
- You own a large-scale solar farm and sell the generated electricity to the grid or to utility companies, which falls under 221114 (Solar Electric Power Generation) instead
- You are a roofing contractor who only replaces the roof and subcontracts out the actual solar electrical work, which means your primary code might be 238160 (Roofing Contractors)
- You manufacture the solar panels or racking systems, which falls under 333414 (Heating Equipment Manufacturing) or other manufacturing codes instead
- You sell solar equipment to installers without installing it yourself, which falls under 423720 (Electrical Apparatus and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers) instead
When your business sits between two codes, always classify based on whichever activity generates the most revenue.
Where Will You Need This Code?
Your NAICS code appears in more places than most solar contractors expect. Here is where code 238210 will be required:
- Commercial Solar Insurance. This is highly critical. Insurance providers use this code to calculate your General Liability, Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions), and Workers’ Compensation premiums. Solar installation carries unique risks, including working at heights, electrical fire hazards, and the massive financial cost of damaging a client’s expensive panel array.
- State Licensing and Permits. Most states require specific solar or electrical contractor licenses. When you register your business with the state or pull local building/electrical permits, the municipality will ask for your NAICS code to verify your classification.
- Federal Contracting via SAM.gov. Government agencies are heavily investing in solar energy. To bid on contracts to install solar arrays on military bases or federal buildings, you must be registered on SAM.gov under this exact code.
- SBA Loan Applications. If you need financing to purchase installation vehicles, buy inventory (panels, inverters, racking), or hire installation crews, the Small Business Administration requires your NAICS code to assess your loan eligibility.
- Tax Filings and Compliance. Federal and state tax agencies use NAICS codes to categorize your business. This is especially relevant for tracking the Installation Tax Credit (ITC) and ensuring your business is properly categorized as a service provider rather than a utility.
238210 in the NAICS Hierarchy
Every NAICS code sits inside a structured hierarchy. Here is exactly where 238210 fits:
| Level | Code | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 23 | Construction |
| Subsector | 238 | Specialty Trade Contractors |
| Industry Group | 2382 | Building Equipment Contractors |
| NAICS Industry | 23821 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors |
| National Industry | 238210 | Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the NAICS code for a commercial solar farm?
If your business owns the land and the solar equipment, and your primary revenue comes from generating and selling electricity to the power grid (rather than contracting out your labor to build systems for others), you are a power generation utility. Your correct code is 221114 (Solar Electric Power Generation).
Does 238210 cover installing solar water heaters?
No. Solar water heaters and solar pool heaters rely on plumbing and fluid dynamics rather than electrical photovoltaics. If your business specifically installs these thermal systems, you should use 238220 (Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors). If you install both PV and thermal systems, classify based on whichever makes up the majority of your revenue.
What if my company replaces the roof and installs solar at the same time?
If you are a dedicated roofing company that replaces shingles as your primary service, and you happen to add solar panels as an add-on, your primary code might still be 238160 (Roofing Contractors). However, if your core business is selling and installing solar, and you only replace the roof because the panels need a new surface, 238210 remains your correct primary code.
Does code 238210 cover a business that only sells solar panels without installing them?
No. If you run a solar supply house or online store that sells solar panels, inverters, and batteries to contractors or DIY homeowners, you are a wholesaler or retailer. You would use 423720 (Electrical Apparatus and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers) or a retail trade code, depending on who you sell to. Code 238210 is strictly for the physical installation contracting.