Occupations/17-2199.11
Solar Energy Systems Engineers
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.
Usually a four-year bachelor’s degree.
AI automation risk
31%
More resilient
Human characteristics
64%
Strong human-characteristic mix
Task orientation
31%
More resilient
A day in this job
- Mostly routine
Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
- Mostly routine
Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
- Mostly routine
Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
The tasks we can read here lean routine. That sits next to the AI risk rank — it is not a forecast that the job disappears.
Core tasks
- 01Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.
- 02Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
- 03Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
- 04Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
- 05Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
- 06Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency.
Model drivers (O*NET 1–5)
- Repeating same tasks2.46
- Degree of automation2.00
- Time sitting3.43
- Originality (ability)3.50
- Conflict situations2.89
- Hands-on objects/tools2.68
- Outdoors / weather3.71
- Disease exposure1.04
- Decision freedom3.89
Top abilities
- Written Expression4.00
- Written Comprehension4.00
- Problem Sensitivity4.00
- Deductive Reasoning4.00
- Oral Expression3.88
- Inductive Reasoning3.88
- Fluency of Ideas3.88
- Oral Comprehension3.75
Essential skills
- Reading Comprehension4.00
- Active Listening3.75
- Writing3.88
- Speaking3.88
- Mathematics3.38
- Science3.25
- Critical Thinking4.00
- Active Learning3.25
- Learning Strategies2.88
- Monitoring3.25
CIP matches
Schools offering related programs
12 of 82 shown
Earnings are College Scorecard medians for that program, 1 and 2 years after completion. A dash means the Department suppressed the cell or the campus is not in the field file.
| Institution | Program | Tuition | Admit | Grad 6-yr | Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Jose State University San Jose, CA · Public | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $8,200 | 77% | 71% | 1 yr $122,038 2 yr — Master's · CIP 14.01 |
University of Wisconsin-Madison Madison, WI · Public | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $11,200 | 49% | 89% | 1 yr $113,999 2 yr $106,421 Master's · CIP 14.01 |
University of Colorado Boulder Boulder, CO · Public | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $13,600 | 81% | 72% | 1 yr $108,852 2 yr $116,679 Master's · CIP 14.01 |
University of California-San Diego La Jolla, CA · Public | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $15,200 | 24% | 87% | 1 yr $108,092 2 yr $111,435 Master's · CIP 14.01 |
Lincoln College of Technology-Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN · Private for-profit | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $18,600 | 100% | 64% | 1 yr $93,816 2 yr $89,144 Master's · CIP 14.01 |
Stanford University Stanford, CA · Private nonprofit | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 14.0702 | $62,400 | 4% | 96% | 1 yr — 2 yr $91,744 Bachelor's · CIP 14.07 |
University of California-Berkeley Berkeley, CA · Public | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $14,800 | 11% | 93% | 1 yr $80,022 2 yr $78,971 Master's · CIP 14.01 |
Houston Community College Houston, TX · Public | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 14.0702 | $4,300 | 100% | 24% | 1 yr $74,747 2 yr $55,512 Bachelor's · CIP 14.07 |
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Atlanta, GA · Public | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 14.0702 | $11,800 | 17% | 91% | 1 yr $73,635 2 yr $74,307 Bachelor's · CIP 14.07 |
Marquette University Milwaukee, WI · Private nonprofit | Engineering, General 14.0101 | $48,800 | 87% | 85% | 1 yr $73,215 2 yr — Bachelor's · CIP 14.01 |
University of Florida Gainesville, FL · Public | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 14.0702 | $6,400 | 23% | 89% | 1 yr $71,854 2 yr $73,145 Bachelor's · CIP 14.07 |
University of Iowa Iowa City, IA · Public | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering 14.0702 | $10,700 | 86% | 79% | 1 yr $70,948 2 yr $67,156 Bachelor's · CIP 14.07 |