Bear Grips Pro ShopsHi-Vis Solar Installer Shirts: Class 2 vs Class 3 and When to Use Each
- ANSI Class 2 is the minimum for most commercial solar job sites; Class 3 is required for roadside and high-speed traffic work
- Hi-vis fabric is harder to embroider but takes printed logos and reflective tape cleanly
- Branded hi-vis apparel exists in tees, long sleeves, polos, and vests; vest-only is the bare-minimum compliance option
- A hi-vis program for a 12-installer commercial solar company runs $400-$900 in year one
Hi-vis solar installer shirts are not optional on most commercial sites and are increasingly required on residential job specs too. The choice between Class 2 and Class 3 ANSI ratings depends on the job site and the work being done. The branding choices (where the company logo goes, what color hi-vis matches the brand, whether to use a hi-vis vest over a regular shirt or buy hi-vis shirts directly) trade off compliance cost against crew identity. Here is the ANSI-aware playbook for hi-vis solar apparel.
ANSI Class 2 vs Class 3: When Each Is Required
ANSI/ISEA 107 is the high-visibility safety apparel standard. The classes define how much fluorescent background fabric and reflective tape a garment must have.
| Class | Fluorescent Background | Reflective Tape | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class 2 | 775 sq in min | 201 sq in min | Commercial sites, 25-50 mph traffic |
| Class 3 | 1,240 sq in min | 310 sq in min | Highway, 50+ mph traffic, low visibility |
| Class E | (Pants only) | Reflective stripes | Class 3 ensemble pants |
For solar installation work specifically:
- Residential roof: Not required by ANSI but increasingly required by company policy and homeowner-association expectation. Class 2 is the default.
- Commercial roof: Required by most site safety plans. Class 2 minimum, Class 3 when working near roadside.
- Solar farm and ground-mount: Required during equipment-yard or near-traffic work. Class 2 standard, Class 3 when on roads.
- Indoor electrical work: Not required.
The default for most solar companies is to issue Class 2 hi-vis to every installer and upgrade specific roles or sites to Class 3 as needed.
Hi-Vis Garment Options for Solar Installers
Hi-vis apparel for solar installers comes in five main garment types:
- Hi-vis vest. Lowest-cost compliance option. Worn over a regular work shirt. Easy to take on/off, easy to share across the crew. Limited branding surface.
- Hi-vis short-sleeve t-shirt. The day-to-day work shirt for warm weather. Full hi-vis coverage, branded chest and back.
- Hi-vis long-sleeve performance tee. The roof-work workhorse. UV protection plus visibility. Branded chest and back.
- Hi-vis polo. Customer-facing visibility option. Hi-vis yellow or green polo with company logo embroidered. Less common than the tee variants but increasingly available.
- Hi-vis hoodie or pullover. Cold-weather option. Class 2 or Class 3 with reflective tape.
The vest model is the most flexible because it converts any underlying shirt into a hi-vis configuration. The dedicated hi-vis shirt model is the most professional-looking because there is no over-vest layer hiding the company branding underneath.
Bear Grips Pro Shops: Custom Apparel for Your Team. No Minimums. Free Shipping.Branding Hi-Vis Apparel
Hi-vis fabric has specific branding constraints that regular shirt fabric does not.
- Embroidery is difficult. Hi-vis fluorescent fabric does not hold embroidery cleanly because the fabric is treated for visibility, not stitch retention. Most hi-vis branding is printed.
- Reflective tape rules. Reflective tape can not be obscured by oversized logos. The company logo placement must work around the tape configuration.
- Color contrast. Black or dark navy logos on hi-vis yellow read clearly. Brighter colored logos can disappear against the fluorescent background.
- Logo placement. Left chest above the lower reflective tape, full back above the upper reflective tape, hi-vis vest pocket. Avoid overlapping reflective tape with any printed design.
The branding constraint means hi-vis shirts often have smaller chest logos and lower-positioned back prints than the standard performance long sleeve. The trade-off is worth it for the visibility and compliance.
Hi-Vis Program Cost for a 12-Installer Commercial Solar Company
For a solar company doing primarily commercial installations, the hi-vis program cost in year one:
| Item | Per Installer | Crew of 12 |
|---|---|---|
| Hi-vis short-sleeve tee (Class 2) | 2 @ $26 = $52 | $624 |
| Hi-vis long-sleeve performance (Class 2) | 1 @ $32 = $32 | $384 |
| Hi-vis vest (Class 2, for upgrade to Class 3 wear) | 1 @ $22 = $22 | $264 |
| Hi-vis hoodie (Class 2, for cold weather) | 1 @ $48 = $48 | $576 |
| Annual hi-vis program total | $154 | $1,848 |
A residential-focused company with lower hi-vis requirements typically spends about half this amount. The hi-vis line is a separate sub-section of the broader crew uniform program; for the operational details, see our solar crew uniform program guide.
Add Hi-Vis to Your Solar Crew Uniform
Class 2 hi-vis tees, long sleeves, vests, and hoodies. Branded chest and back. No minimum order.
Start FreeFrequently Asked Questions
Do residential solar installers need hi-vis shirts?
Not federally required, but increasingly company policy and sometimes neighborhood-association expectation. Many residential solar companies are moving to hi-vis by default to signal professionalism and reduce liability on driveway and street-side work.
What is the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis?
Class 3 has more fluorescent background fabric and reflective tape area than Class 2. Class 3 is required for high-speed roadside work; Class 2 is sufficient for most commercial job sites and rooftop work.
Can we embroider our logo on a hi-vis solar shirt?
Difficult. Hi-vis fluorescent fabric does not hold embroidery cleanly. Most hi-vis branding is printed (DTG or screen). The logo placement also must respect ANSI rules about not covering reflective tape.
Does hi-vis hi-vis come in colors other than yellow?
Yes. ANSI-compliant hi-vis is available in fluorescent yellow-green (most common), fluorescent orange-red, and fluorescent pink. Yellow-green is the highest-visibility option and the most common in solar.
