Career Overview
Perform site-specific engineering analysis or evaluation of energy efficiency and solar projects involving residential, commercial, or industrial customers. Design solar domestic hot water and space heating systems for new and existing structures, applying knowledge of structural energy requirements, local climates, solar technology, and thermodynamics.
Also Known As
- Power Systems Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Solar Design Engineer
- Solar Designer
Alternate Job Titles
- Applications Engineer
- Consulting Engineer
- Engineer
- Photovoltaic System Designer (PV System Designer)
- Power Systems Engineer
- Project Engineer
- Renewable Energy Specialist
- Research Engineer
- Solar Applications Development Engineer
- Solar Array Engineer
- Solar Design Engineer
- Solar Designer
- Solar Development Engineer
- Solar Energy Advisor
- Solar Energy Contractor
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.
- Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
- Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
- Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
- Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency.
- Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Engineering and Technology
- Design
- Building and Construction
- Mathematics
- Mechanical
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Writing
- Speaking
- Complex Problem Solving
- Active Listening
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Written Comprehension
- Written Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Oral Expression
- Fluency of Ideas
- Inductive Reasoning
- Oral Comprehension
- Information Ordering
- Mathematical Reasoning
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Achievement
- Working Conditions
- Recognition
- Independence
- Support
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
On-the-Job Training: Over 3 months, up to and including 6 months
Education Details: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience Required: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Autodesk Revit
- Bash
- C++
- Dassault Systemes SolidWorks
- Google Workspace software
- JavaScript
- Linux
- Microsoft Access
- Microsoft Excel
Tools & Equipment
- Abrasion testers
- Accelerated weathering machines
- Adhesion testers
- Apparent power meters
- Atomic absorption spectrometers
- Auger electron spectrometers
- Bench ovens
- Chronopotentiometers
- Compression testers
- Copy machines
- Coulometers
- Creep testers
- Current versus voltage IV curve tracers
- Data loggers
- Differential scanning calorimeters
Work Environment
- Telephone Conversations
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Frequency of Decision Making
- Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
Salary & Job Market
Wages reported for the broader Engineers, All Other occupational group (BLS 2024), which includes Solar Energy Systems Engineers.
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $62,840 |
| Median | $117,750 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $183,510 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 150,750
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $100,070
Solar Energy Installation Managers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $78,690
Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $62,970
Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $117,750
Wind Energy Engineers
Education: Bachelor's Degree
Median Salary: $117,750
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.