How to become A Solar Energy Systems Engineer

Solar energy systems engineers perform site-specific engineering analysis of energy efficiency and solar projects involving residential, commercial, industrial customers. They design solar hot water and space heating systems for new and existing structures.

• Power Systems Engineer

What do Solar Energy Systems Engineers do?

A Solar Energy Systems Engineer would typically need to:

• Do a client consultation, site assessment, as well as financial evaluation to help understand the context of the residential, commercial, or industrial Solar Energy System project
• Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the Solar Energy System
• Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems for residential or commercial buildings while developing design specifications and functional requirements for specific system components
• Design vacuum-tube collector systems for solar applications and test PV cells, performing thermal, stress, as well as cost reduction analyses for Solar Energy Systems
• Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, and connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software
• Create plans for Solar Energy System development, monitoring, and evaluation activities
• Review specifications and recommend manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives while providing technical support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, and performance monitoring
• Perform computer simulation of solar PV generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency
• Develop standard operating procedures and safety standards for solar installation work by creating checklists for inspection of completed Solar Energy System installation projects

Solar Energy Systems Engineers work in environmentally-controlled offices but will also need to travel frequently to different work sites, including overseas locations. You may interact directly with clients to collect data on their needs, monitor progress at a client's building site outdoors, or work with computers in office buildings. The dress code of a Solar Energy Systems Engineer while working in the office would be business casual. You would need to wear safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats, life jackets at the worksite.

The duration of a typical work week would be 40 hours. Solar Energy Systems Engineers would need to interact with customers and colleagues through email, telephone, and face-to-face discussions.

Self-employment as a consultant is a definite possibility after the Solar Energy Systems Engineer gains considerable experience and expertise. 

Solar Energy Systems Engineers are generally employed by:

• Solar Energy Companies
• Solar Energy Consulting Firms

Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for those interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications as a Solar Energy Systems Engineer.

• Need to climb ladders onto rooftops often to inspect installations and carry heavy loads for short distances
• Outdoor work in all sorts of weather conditions and frequent travel on the one hand and, on the other hand, health issues due to working at a desk for 50 percent of the workweek

Experience is equally a crucial factor. Engaging in volunteering projects will give an aspirant Solar Energy Systems Engineer the necessary skills to kickstart their solar engineering career. Candidates with two to five years of experience with Solar Energy in a non-managerial capacity would be preferred by prospective employers.

An entry-level Solar Energy Systems Engineer needs a Bachelor of Science or a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, electrical, industrial, chemical, software engineering with a specialization in Solar Energy. A four-year undergraduate program in renewable energy is also a viable option. These degrees should be complemented by knowledge of design, mathematics, building and construction, physics, computers and electronics, and the English language.

Some Solar Energy Systems Engineers do not have a professional engineering background. For example, they may have qualified in electrical or mechanical drafting, engineering technology, HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning). College graduates with a degree in natural science or mathematics may occasionally qualify for such engineering jobs.

Advanced job descriptions in the Solar sector often require professional certifications. Certification in relevant analytical or scientific software, simulation software such as SOLAR-2 and SolTrace, computer-aided (CAD) software, Microsoft Suite, development environment software such as LabVIEW, GPS software, and Google SketchUp will prove to be advantageous in the job market.

Prospective Solar Energy Systems Engineers require government-approved licensure, which generally includes a degree from an accredited engineering program, passing scores on written exams, relevant work experience, and typically at least four years.

After several years of experience, Solar Energy Systems Engineers move into the Manager or Supervisor track where they are still involved in day-to-day engineering work but spend most of their time leading their teams and looking at how to improve the quality of power for the customers.

Candidates with knowledge, experience, and expertise in the field, willingness to travel, and passion for reducing environmental damage would have the best job prospects.

While no additional degree is required to grow professionally as a Solar Energy Systems Engineer, companies typically provide supervisory and leadership skills training. ten years or more of experience in the field would prove invaluable in meritorious recognition.

Most certifying or licensing organizations require their members to participate in professional development activities to retain their certificates/licenses. Professional development will help

Optimizing Solar Energy

Solar Energy Systems Engineers create solar cells that collect and store the sun’s rays. You will be involved with the production of energy through solar power. You would work on various tasks, including researching and developing ways to use Solar Energy to reduce emissions from fossil fuels and minimize environmental damage. Besides, you would be responsible for designing and testing systems, developing ways of improving existing processes, and converting, transmitting and supplying Solar Energy to meet the clients’ need for electricity or hot water applications.

Sweet are the Fruits of this Labor

As a Solar Energy Systems Engineer, you could help dairy farmers become energy independent by designing a solar photovoltaic system that will fit on a barn roof. You could design a solar hot-water heater for a home so that a family can enjoy hot showers without increasing their energy bill. You could also oversee installing a home Solar Energy system to make sure it is all done correctly or draw up blueprints of a solar photovoltaic system installed on the sides of a new skyscraper.

One hour of sunlight equals one year’s worth of energy for the entire earth.

Solar Energy is gaining substantial traction globally with installations in every country growing every day and hundreds of thousands of people employed in the industry. As a Solar Energy Systems Engineer, you will be in a result-oriented occupation that gives you a feeling of accomplishment, encourages you to take the initiative, and make decisions while offering you job security as well as the right working conditions.

Solar power, wind power, the way forward is to collaborate with nature -- it's the only way we are going to get to the other end of the 21st century.