Solar Energy Systems Engineers

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Solar Energy Systems Engineers

Careers / Solar Energy Systems Engineers

Summary 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.

Sample Job Titles

1.	Applications Engineer

2.	Consulting Engineer

3.	Distributed Energy Systems Consultant

4.	Energy Systems Laboratory Director

5.	Engineering Vice President

6.	Field Engineer

7.	Power Systems Engineer

8.	Renewable Energy Division Manager

9.	Research Engineer

10.	Solar Applications Development Engineer

11.	Solar Design Engineer

12.	Solar Designer

13.	Solar Development Engineer

14.	Solar Energy Advisor

15.	Solar Energy Engineer

16.	Solar Energy Systems Designer

17.	Solar Energy Systems Engineer

18.	Solar Engineer

19.	Solar Mechanical Engineer

20.	Solar Photovoltaic Designer

21.	Solar Photovoltaic Product Development Engineer

22.	Solar Photovoltaic Systems Engineer

23.	Solar Process Engineer

24.	Solar Project Engineer

25.	Solar Systems Designer

Job Tasks

	Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities. Prepare detailed work plans.

	Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems. Collect data about project sites.

	Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings. Design alternative energy systems.

	Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Create graphical representations of energy production systems.

	Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives. Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications. Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.

	Develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components. Determine design criteria or specifications.

	Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring. Provide technical guidance to other personnel.

	Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency. Create models of engineering designs or methods.

	Develop standard operation procedures and quality or safety standards for solar installation work. Determine operational methods.

	Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects. Inspect finished products to locate flaws.

	Test or evaluate photovoltaic (PV) cells or modules. Test green technologies or processes.

	Perform thermal, stress, or cost reduction analyses for solar systems. Analyze green technology design requirements. Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.

	Design or develop vacuum tube collector systems for solar applications. Design alternative energy systems.

Work Activities

Importance	Work Activity

Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment — Providing documentation, detailed instructions, drawings, or specifications to tell others about how devices, parts, equipment, or structures are to be fabricated, constructed, assembled, modified, maintained, or used.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems — Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards — Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Interacting With Computers — Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates — Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Analyzing Data or Information — Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization — Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information — Estimating sizes, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work — Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others — Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Documenting/Recording Information — Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Processing Information — Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Scheduling Work and Activities — Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others — Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Developing and Building Teams — Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

Monitoring and Controlling Resources — Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People — Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others — Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Coaching and Developing Others — Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

Selling or Influencing Others — Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.

Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates — Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others — Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Developing Objectives and Strategies — Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

Performing Administrative Activities — Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment — Servicing, repairing, calibrating, regulating, fine-tuning, or testing machines, devices, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of electrical or electronic (not mechanical) principles.

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Controlling Machines and Processes — Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Staffing Organizational Units — Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

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The U.S. minimum wage in 1955 was 75 cents.

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