Solar Energy Systems Engineers

17-2199.11 Zone 4 — Considerable Preparation Needed

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.

Also known as: Applications Engineer, Consulting Engineer, Engineer, Photovoltaic System Designer (PV System Designer), Power Systems Engineer, Project Engineer, Renewable Energy Specialist, Research Engineer, ...

Annual Salary

$117,750

Median annual wage (May 2024)

$85,750 25th – 75th percentile $152,670
10th percentile $62,840
90th percentile $183,510
U.S. Employment: 150,750

Job Outlook

+2.1%

Projected growth, 2024–2034 (About average)

Annual Job Openings 9,300 per year (avg. 2024–2034)
Typical education: Bachelor's degree

What You'd Do

  • Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
  • Perform thermal, stress, or cost reduction analyses for solar systems.
  • Develop standard operation procedures and quality or safety standards for solar installation work.
  • Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
  • Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency.
  • Develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components.
  • Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
  • Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  • Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects.
  • Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.

Top Skills

Reading Comprehension 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Writing 3.9
Speaking 3.9
Complex Problem Solving 3.9
Active Listening 3.8
Mathematics 3.4
Judgment and Decision Making 3.4

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Knowledge Areas

Engineering and Technology 4.3
Design 4.1
Building and Construction 3.9
Mathematics 3.8
Mechanical 3.6
Physics 3.3
Computers and Electronics 3.3
Administration and Management 3.2

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation by education level

Bachelor's
55.6%
Certificate
11.1%
Associate's
11.1%
High School
7.4%
Some College
7.4%
< High School
3.7%
Professional
3.7%

Technology & Tools

Software and tools commonly used in this role

In-Demand Technologies

Autodesk AutoCAD Autodesk Revit Bash C++ Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Google Workspace software JavaScript Linux Microsoft Access Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Project Microsoft Visio Microsoft Visual Basic Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA Microsoft Word Python R Salesforce software Structured query language SQL The MathWorks MATLAB Trimble SketchUp Pro

Other Tools

Ansys Fluent Aurora HelioScope Autodesk AutoCAD LT Computer aided design and drafting CADD software Data acquisition software Data visualization software

Key Abilities

Cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities important for this role

Written Comprehension 4.0
Written Expression 4.0
Problem Sensitivity 4.0
Deductive Reasoning 4.0
Oral Expression 3.9
Fluency of Ideas 3.9
Inductive Reasoning 3.9
Oral Comprehension 3.8

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Activities

General types of job behaviors occurring on this job

Getting Information 4.5
Making Decisions and Solving Problems 4.3
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards 4.2
Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment 4.0
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events 4.0
Working with Computers 4.0
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work 3.9
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge 3.9

Importance scale: 1 (low) – 5 (high)

Work Environment

Physical and social factors that influence the nature of work

Telephone Conversations
4.9
E-Mail
4.9
Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
4.6
Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team
4.3
Frequency of Decision Making
4.3
Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results
4.2
Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
4.1
Contact With Others
4.1
Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
3.9
Freedom to Make Decisions
3.9
Time Pressure
3.9
Health and Safety of Other Workers
3.8

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Salary data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Outlook data: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034.

This page includes information from the O*NET 30.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.