What Is a Solar Engineer and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

Solar engineers plan, design, and execute solar energy projects, from the installation of new solar energy panels on a home to the building of a new solar power plant. Typically, one engineer is required for solar panel installation on a single rooftop. Larger projects, such as new power plants or large panel installations, need multiple solar engineers to handle the logistics. As a solar engineer, you visit the installation site and meet with customers to discuss and resolve any budgetary, feasibility, and design issues. Before any construction begins, you work with designers and engineers to determine the appropriate arrangement of solar panels to maximize efficiency. With the plan in place, you coordinate the teams that are working on the project and procure materials and equipment, create contracts with electrical and building contractors, and communicate with OEM companies to ensure that the parts for the facility are made to the proper specifications. You provide timely written and verbal updates throughout the construction process to the clients. Once the project is complete, you work with the client or the facility’s managers and maintenance personnel to ensure that the site is in good working order and all designs and specifications are available for continued site maintenance.

A career as a solar engineer requires experience and skills related to electrical engineering, construction, and building site management. You may acquire these skills by obtaining a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field. For those who do not choose to pursue formal education, working in construction or on solar projects also provides the experience you need to start your career. As a solar engineer, you need to know how to create and implement electrical designs. It’s good to have some understanding of modeling software (such as AutoCAD) and data analysis and modeling software specific to photovoltaic (PV) systems. Solar engineers also need management and interpersonal skills necessary to maintain an efficient work site.

You can study solar engineering in a college or university or at a trade or vocational school. There are also opportunities for on-the-job training that give you hands-on experience working with a senior solar engineer.