Summary Report for:
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.
This title represents an occupation for which data collection is currently underway.
Tasks | Tools & Technology | Wages & Employment | Additional Information
Tasks
- 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.
Tools & Technology
Tools used in this occupation:
| Calorimeters — Differential scanning calorimeters; Thermogravimetric analyzers |
| Laboratory mechanical convection ovens — Bench ovens; Humidity ovens |
| Scanning electron microscopes — Field emission scanning electron microscopes FESEM; Scanning electron microscopes SEM |
| Semiconductor process systems — Focused ion beam FIB systems; Ion beam assisted deposition IBAD systems; Ion mills; Plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition PECVD systems |
| Spectrometers — Auger electron spectrometers; Electron energy loss spectrometers; Energy dispersive x-ray spectrometers EDS; X-ray photoelectron spectrometers |
Technology used in this occupation:
| Analytical or scientific software — Simulation software; SOLAR-2; SolTrace; The MathWorks MATLAB |
| Computer aided design CAD software — Autodesk AutoCAD LT; Autodesk AutoCAD software; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks software; IMSI Design TurboCAD software |
| Electronic mail software — Microsoft Outlook |
| Mobile location based services software — Global positioning satellite GPS system software |
| Spreadsheet software — Microsoft Excel |
Wages & Employment Trends
National
Median wages data collected from Engineers, All Other.
Employment data collected from Engineers, All Other.
Industry data collected from Engineers, All Other.
| Median wages (2010) | $43.40 hourly, $90,270 annual |
| Employment (2008) | 183,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2008-2018) | 
Average (7% to 13%)
|
| Projected job openings (2008-2018) | 50,200 |
| Top industries (2008) |
State & National
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics 2010 wage data
and 2008-2018 employment projections
.
"Projected growth" represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2008-2018). "Projected job openings" represent openings due to growth and replacement.
Sources of Additional Information
Disclaimer: Sources are listed to provide additional information on related jobs, specialties, and/or industries. Links to non-DOL Internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.
- Engineers
. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition.