Solar Energy Systems Engineers

design realistic interests solar project efficiency specification information comprehension engineering plan technology

Power Systems Engineer, Project Engineer, Solar Design Engineer, Solar Designer

What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology

  • product and service development
  • design

Math and Science

  • arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
  • physics

Business

  • management

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Skills

Basic Skills

  • reading work related information
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

People and Technology Systems

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
  • measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it

Abilities

Verbal

  • communicate by writing
  • read and understand what is written

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Math

  • choose the right type of math to solve a problem
  • add, subtract, multiply, or divide

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

They do well at jobs that need:

  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Cooperation
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Persistence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Analytical or scientific software

  • Data visualization software
  • The MathWorks MATLAB Hot Technology

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint Hot Technology

Computer aided design CAD software

  • Autodesk Revit Hot Technology
  • Trimble SketchUp Pro Hot Technology

Education

Education: (rated 4 of 5)
bachelor's degree or
certificate after high school
usually needed

Get started on your career:

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Job Outlook

Average
New job opportunities are likely in the future.
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