Occupations · Architecture and Engineering

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.

O*NET 30.3 Database (USDOL/ETA) · occupation code 17-2199.11

What people in this job actually do

Ordered by how important the work is rated.

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

O*NET 30.3 task ratings, importance scale

Skills that matter most

Importance, rated 1 to 5.

Critical Thinking4.0

Reading Comprehension4.0

Writing3.9

Speaking3.9

Active Listening3.8

Mathematics3.4

Science3.2

Active Learning3.2

Monitoring3.2

Learning Strategies2.9

O*NET 30.3 skills, importance scale

Software and tools

A dot marks what O*NET flags as in demand.

Autodesk AutoCAD●Autodesk Revit●Bash●C++●Dassault Systemes SolidWorks●Google Workspace software●JavaScript●Linux●Microsoft Access●Microsoft Excel●Microsoft Office software●Microsoft Outlook●Microsoft PowerPoint●Microsoft Project●Microsoft Visio●Microsoft Visual Basic●Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA●Microsoft Word●Python●R●Salesforce software●Structured query language SQL●The MathWorks MATLAB●Trimble SketchUp Pro●Ansys FluentAurora HelioScopeAutodesk AutoCAD LTComputer aided design and drafting CADD software

O*NET 30.3 software skills · hot-technology flag

What this work is actually like

Conditions rated against the average across all occupations — only what makes this job different is listed.

4 / 5Considerable preparation — a four-year degree plus several years in the field.

O*NET 30.3 Job Zones

Working conditions that stand out

Exposed to High Places+1.5 above average

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions+1.4 above average

Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled+1.3 above average

Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection+1.2 above average

In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment+1.0 above average

Outdoors, Under Cover+1.0 above average

E-Mail+0.9 above average

O*NET 30.3 work context, frequency scale · observed 2023-08

How people actually get in

Share of workers by the education they hold.

Bachelor's Degree56%

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)11%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)11%

High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)7%

O*NET 30.2 education, training and experience · observed 2023-08

What kind of person the work suits

Occupational interest profile, rated 1 to 7.

Realistic6.0

Investigative5.0

Conventional4.0

O*NET 30.2 occupational interests (RIASEC)

What you take with you

Skills rated for how well they transfer into other occupations.

Complex Problem Solving3.9

Judgment and Decision Making3.4

Coordination3.0

Social Perceptiveness3.0

Systems Evaluation3.0

Time Management3.0

Persuasion3.0

Instructing3.0

O*NET 30.3 transferable skills, importance scale

Knowledge the work draws on

Engineering and TechnologyDesignBuilding and ConstructionMathematicsMechanicalComputers and Electronics

Abilities it leans on

Written ComprehensionWritten ExpressionProblem SensitivityDeductive ReasoningOral ExpressionFluency of Ideas

O*NET 30.3 abilities and knowledge, importance scale

How this job is advertised

The same work is posted under many titles — this is what to search for.

EngineerSolar EngineerSolar DesignerProject EngineerResearch EngineerConsulting EngineerSolar Energy AdvisorSolar Array EngineerSolar Design EngineerSolar Energy EngineerApplications EngineerSolar Process EngineerSolar Project EngineerSolar Systems Designer

O*NET 30.3 job titles reported for this occupation

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What changed since 2015

Comparing O*NET release 20.1 (2015-10-01) with 30.3 (2026-05-01). Signs, not colour alone, carry the meaning. 2 entries that were only relabelled between releases are left out.

Now listed 30

+RETScreen+Bash+Structured query language SQL+R+Aurora HelioScope+Microsoft Project+Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software+IMSI TurboCAD+Debugging software+Microsoft Visio+Microsoft Visual Basic+Global positioning system GPS software+Autodesk Revit+Oracle Hyperion

No longer listed 4

−RETScreen Clean Energy Project Analysis Software−Global positioning satellite GPS system software−Maui Solar Energy Software Corporation PV-DesignPro software−IMSI Design TurboCAD software

Diff across the O*NET releases held here in full since October 2015, following occupations through merges and retirements. O*NET re-surveys occupations on a rolling cycle, so “no change” can also mean “not re-surveyed”.

O*NET 30.3 related occupations

Also called

EngineerSolar EngineerSolar DesignerField EngineerProject EngineerResearch EngineerSolar Site AssessorConsulting EngineerSolar Energy AdvisorSolar Array EngineerApplications EngineerSolar Design Engineer

O*NET 30.3 alternative titles

The same work in Europe

ESCO occupation	ISCO	Match
solar energy engineer	2149.7.4	exact
renewable energy engineer	2149.7.3	close
energy engineer	2149.7	close

Official ESCO ↔ O*NET crosswalk (ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA)

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