Solar energy engineering is an essential and growing field as the world moves increasingly from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. Whether you’re a newly licensed Professional Engineer or have many years of experience, you should explore this in-demand professional niche. To help you determine if this is the right step for your career, we’re providing some insight into what solar engineers do, how much money they make, what skills they need, and the steps to become a solar engineer.
What is solar energy engineering?
Solar energy engineering involves the design, development, and implementation of solar energy systems. This includes solar panels, solar thermal systems, and other related technologies. As a specialized type of renewable energy engineer, a solar engineer needs expertise in photovoltaic (PV) technology, solar radiation, energy storage, and grid integration.
Solar energy engineering is extremely important given the increasing concerns about climate change and the limited availability of fossil fuel resources. The field is crucial in addressing the global demand for clean and sustainable energy solutions. Solar power offers a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources, helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat environmental degradation.
What does a solar engineer do?
Solar engineers are responsible for the design, development, and implementation of solar energy systems. They may work on projects ranging from small-scale residential installations to large-scale utility projects.
Job duties
Specific job responsibilities vary across different positions but may include:
- Conducting site evaluations
- Planning and designing solar energy systems
- Functional testing solar energy systems
- Project management of installations
- Conducting performance evaluations
- Ensuring compliance with relevant regulations and standards
- Designing solar panels and their components
- Developing industrial components used in solar panel manufacturing
- Creating efficiency, cost, and safety reports of solar energy projects
Additionally, solar engineers often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize energy production and system efficiency.
Skills needed
Strong technical skills in computer-aided design (CAD), knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems, problem-solving abilities, and a solid understanding of solar energy principles are essential for aspiring solar engineers. A background in chemistry or materials science is also helpful.
Income and career outlook
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics1, the 2023 median annual incomes for specific sectors of engineering that overlap with solar engineering are:
- Mechanical engineers: $99,510
- Electrical engineers: $109,010
- Chemical engineers: $112,100
- Industrial engineers: $99,380
The job outlook for solar engineers is very promising, with the demand for renewable energy technologies driving employment growth. The solar industry is expanding rapidly, and the need for skilled engineers to develop and maintain solar energy infrastructure will continue to grow.
Overlapping sectors, including mechanical, electrical, chemical, and industrial engineering, are projected to see high employment growth over the next several years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 5–12% job growth in these careers from 2022-2032, which is considerably higher than average compared to all U.S. professions.
Additionally, civil engineers support solar design with site development, geotechnical, and structural design of solar energy systems.
How to become a solar engineer
The initial steps to becoming a solar engineer are like those of other engineering careers. First, you will need at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering—preferably with a focus on electrical, mechanical, chemical, or industrial engineering. Then, you must fulfill the on-the-job training requirements and obtain your Professional Engineer license.
Once you’ve met these basic requirements, you can advance to become a solar engineer by gaining specialized knowledge and skills specific to this professional niche. Continuing education classes for engineers offer a great way to build your understanding of solar energy systems, photovoltaic (PV) technology, and more. Employers may also require advanced degrees or certifications for certain positions.
Is solar energy engineering the right career path for me?
Engineers with a background in electrical or mechanical engineering are particularly well-suited to this professional niche. Chemical and industrial engineers, too, are needed in the solar energy industry. Additionally, if you have a strong foundation in physics, chemistry, materials science, environmental engineering, computer software engineering, or renewable energy engineering, a career as a solar engineer may be an excellent fit.
A solar energy engineering career offers the opportunity to contribute to a sustainable future while working in a rapidly expanding field. As the demand for renewable energy grows, the role of solar engineers in advancing clean energy technologies is increasingly vital.
If you have a passion for environmental sustainability, cutting-edge technology, and problem-solving, pursuing a career as a solar engineer could be a fulfilling and impactful choice.
Get started with solar engineer CE courses
Begin your journey to becoming a solar engineer with Professional Engineer continuing education courses from McKissock Learning. Gain specialized knowledge and skills through professional development CE courses like “Fundamentals of Solar Energy” and “Solar Thermal Energy: Concentrating the Sun.” With McKissock, you get expert-authored courses with flexible learning options and cutting-edge content.
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