Solar Energy Systems Engineers

What the job really is

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.

At a glance

• Sector: Architecture & Engineering
• O*NET-SOC code: 17-2199
• O*NET job zone: 4 — considerable preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components.
• Develop standard operation procedures and quality or safety standards for solar installation work.
• Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects.
• Perform thermal, stress, or cost reduction analyses for solar systems.
• Test or evaluate photovoltaic (PV) cells or modules.

Tools and technology

Aurora HelioScope, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Revit, Bash, C++, Dassault Systemes SolidWorks, ETAP, Google Workspace software, JavaScript, Linux, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Solar Sales Representatives and Assessors
• Solar Energy Installation Managers
• Solar Thermal Installers and Technicians
• Energy Engineers, Except Wind and Solar
• Wind Energy Engineers
• Electrical Engineers
• Wind Energy Development Managers
• Energy Auditors

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 4 (considerable preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Solar Energy Systems Engineers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.