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Solar Research Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Nautilus Solar Energy

M&A Associate

Chicago, IL · Remote

Identify and evaluate solar and storage project acquisition and origination opportunities: Research and analyze potential projects, inbound opportunities, developer relationships, and market ...

Nautilus Solar Energy

M&A Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

Identify and evaluate solar and storage project acquisition and origination opportunities: Research and analyze potential projects, inbound opportunities, developer relationships, and market ...

Nautilus Solar Energy

M&A Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

Identify and evaluate solar and storage project acquisition and origination opportunities: Research and analyze potential projects, inbound opportunities, developer relationships, and market ...

Nautilus Solar Energy

M&A Associate

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

Identify and evaluate solar and storage project acquisition and origination opportunities: Research and analyze potential projects, inbound opportunities, developer relationships, and market ...

Nexamp Inc.

Senior Solar Project Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$100 - $140/hr

Nexamp is seeking to hire a Senior Solar Project Engineer to join its Project Engineering team. In ... research into scalable solutions. * Develop and manage relationships with a network of vendors and ...

Nexamp

Senior Solar Project Engineer

Chicago, IL

$102K - $132K/yr

Nexamp is seeking to hire a Senior Solar Project Engineer to join its Project Engineering team. In ... research into scalable solutions. * Develop and manage relationships with a network of vendors and ...

Nexamp

Senior Solar Project Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$102K - $132K/yr

Nexamp is seeking to hire a Senior Solar Project Engineer to join its Project Engineering team. In ... research into scalable solutions. * Develop and manage relationships with a network of vendors and ...

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Solar Research information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$23

$40

$57

How much do solar research jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for solar research in Chicago, IL is $40.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.92 and $49.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is solar research?

Solar research is the scientific study of the Sun, its properties, and its effects on the Earth and the solar system. It encompasses a wide range of topics, including solar physics, solar energy technologies, and the development of renewable energy systems that harness sunlight. Researchers in this field work to improve our understanding of solar phenomena and to advance technologies for more efficient and sustainable solar energy production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in solar research?

To thrive in Solar Research, you need a strong background in physics, engineering, or environmental science, often supported by an advanced degree in a related field. Familiarity with simulation software (such as PVsyst or MATLAB), laboratory equipment, and data analysis tools is typically required. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective collaboration are standout soft skills for this role. These competencies are essential for advancing solar technologies, conducting rigorous experiments, and driving innovation in renewable energy solutions.

What are the most common collaborative projects or teams that a professional in solar research typically works with?

Professionals in Solar Research often collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers, data analysts, and policy experts. They frequently engage with laboratory staff to design and conduct experiments, and work alongside industry partners to translate research findings into practical applications. Close collaboration with academic researchers is common, particularly when publishing findings or applying for research grants. These partnerships are essential for advancing innovative solar technologies and addressing real-world energy challenges.

What is the difference between Solar Research vs Solar Engineering?

AspectSolar ResearchSolar Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Renewable Energy, Physics, or related fields; research experienceBachelor's or Master's in Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering; technical certifications
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research facilities, academic institutionsDesign offices, construction sites, manufacturing plants
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, renewable energy companiesEngineering firms, solar panel manufacturers, utility companies
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding research roles in solar energy developmentDesigning and implementing solar energy systems

Solar Research focuses on studying and developing new solar technologies and materials, often within labs or academic settings. In contrast, Solar Engineering involves designing, implementing, and maintaining solar energy systems in real-world applications. Both roles require technical knowledge but differ in their focus—research versus practical application.

What are popular job titles related to Solar Research jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Solar Research jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Solar Research jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Solar Research jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Solar Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Solar Research job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 90% In-person, 5% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,374 per year, or $40.6 per hour.

IMSA- Biodiversity Conservation and Solar Farms: Spatiotemporal Analysis of AI-derived Observational

Lemont, IL • On-site

Argonne National Laboratory
Scientific Research and Development Services • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Argonne National Laboratoryexternal

Part-time

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Internship Description
Project Overview: Considering global expansion of solar energy facilities, we question if we can support both power generation and biodiversity conservation. Answer is yes; it is coined 'ecovoltaics.' Because birds are highly mobile, occupy a broad range of ecological niches, and serve as sensitive indicators of environmental change, understanding their abundance and behavior is a great start. We recorded 10,000+ hours of daytime videos at 11 solar farms across 9 U.S. states and extracted footage of moving objects using Argonne's custom AI model. Analysts sort the AI-extracted video clips using their human intelligence and generate highly accurate bird observational data to reliably answer the questions: (1) How consistent or variable are bird abundance and behavior across seasons and regions? (2) Can we observe any patterns between bird abundance/behavior and other facility attributes (e.g., ground cover, surrounding landscape, facility size...)? If you are interested in participating in addressing these questions, this project is for you. You could be the first to witness interesting bird behavior at solar farms!
Description of Student Project: The student will (1) review and interpret AI-extracted video crips under mentor's guidance, (2) document/sort/organize video clips birds (and insects), (3) analyze the data and identify patterns of bird abundance and behavior across the seasons and regions, and (4) document the work and summarize findings. The mentor will provide suggested literature, relevant materials/resources, and instructions/training for data review and interpretation. At the end of the project, the student will have gained experience in designing scientific research, identifying relevant information on a research topic, preparing and analyzing data, transforming knowledge into useful/actionable information to set a point of departure for research, in a collaborative setting. The student will also experience an example of how AI could contribute to ecological research.
Education and Experience Requirements
Required Skills:
  • Visit Argonne Campus on a weekly basis
  • Ability to use Internet and Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
  • Strong interest in learning about biodiversity conservation
  • Interest in learning fundamentals of research design (e.g., literature search and review, data organization, synthesis of results)
  • Interest in working with AI-model output by accessing supercomputer resources
  • Willingness to learn new things

Internship Family
Visiting Student High School Research
Internship Category
IMSA Student

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