Solar Energy Systems engineers design, develop, and evaluate energy-related projects and programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. Energy engineers may specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement. Solar Energy Systems engineer skills:

• Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.
• Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
• Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects.
• Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
• Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
• Develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components.
• Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency.
• Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
• Design or develop vacuum tube collector systems for solar applications.
• Develop standard operation procedures and quality or safety standards for solar installation work.

Education/Experience Needed:
An entry-level engineer needs a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or the equivalent. To view a list of available degree programs in your area, use the Google Map locator.