What Do Solar Energy Systems Engineer Do?
Career Description 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.
Life As a Solar Energy Systems Engineer: What Do They Do?
- Design or develop vacuum tube collector systems for solar applications.
- Test or evaluate photovoltaic (PV) cells or modules.
- Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
- Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
- Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
- Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects.
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Solar Energy Systems Engineer Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Solar Energy Systems Engineers say are important on the job.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing: Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Other Solar Energy Systems Engineer Job Titles
- Solar Project Engineer
- Solar Process Engineer
- Engineering Vice President
- Solar Photovoltaic Systems Engineer
- Consulting Engineer
What Kind of Solar Energy Systems Engineer Job Opportunities Are There?
There were about 132,500 jobs for Solar Energy Systems Engineer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.4% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 8,500 new jobs for Solar Energy Systems Engineer by 2026. The BLS estimates 9,500 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Solar Energy Systems Engineer are Nevada, Utah, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in Alaska, Minnesota, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Solar Energy Systems Engineer
The average yearly salary of a Solar Energy Systems Engineer ranges between $50,750 and $155,650.

Solar Energy Systems Engineers who work in District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, make the highest salaries.
How much do Solar Energy Systems Engineers make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $115,710 |
Alaska | $114,040 |
Arizona | $94,450 |
Arkansas | $71,510 |
California | $107,700 |
Colorado | $111,610 |
Connecticut | $100,230 |
District of Columbia | $132,530 |
Florida | $82,970 |
Georgia | $93,580 |
Hawaii | $96,940 |
Idaho | $110,270 |
Illinois | $87,220 |
Indiana | $73,340 |
Iowa | $78,230 |
Kansas | $82,060 |
Kentucky | $79,690 |
Louisiana | $90,580 |
Maine | $85,800 |
Maryland | $118,420 |
Massachusetts | $109,220 |
Michigan | $90,420 |
Minnesota | $101,620 |
Mississippi | $79,630 |
Missouri | $86,850 |
Montana | $79,590 |
Nebraska | $82,760 |
Nevada | $94,950 |
New Hampshire | $99,070 |
New Jersey | $114,990 |
New Mexico | $114,790 |
New York | $95,270 |
North Carolina | $83,900 |
North Dakota | $83,270 |
Ohio | $93,370 |
Oklahoma | $83,080 |
Oregon | $90,720 |
Pennsylvania | $96,550 |
Rhode Island | $95,790 |
South Carolina | $100,750 |
South Dakota | $84,320 |
Tennessee | $82,030 |
Texas | $113,370 |
Utah | $89,810 |
Vermont | $81,960 |
Virginia | $118,390 |
Washington | $104,890 |
West Virginia | $91,420 |
Wisconsin | $86,600 |
Wyoming | $97,040 |
What Tools & Technology do Solar Energy Systems Engineers Use?
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Solar Energy Systems Engineers may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- JavaScript
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Python
- Microsoft Access
- Data visualization software
- Microsoft Project
- Autodesk AutoCAD
- Microsoft Visio
- Database software
- Structured query language SQL
- The MathWorks MATLAB
- Linux
- Microsoft Visual Basic
- R
- National Instruments LabVIEW
- Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
How do I Become a Solar Energy Systems Engineer?
What kind of Solar Energy Systems Engineer requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

References:
Image Credit: luis gomes via CC0 License
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