Solar Energy Systems Engineers

17-2199.11

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.

Occupation-Specific 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.
• 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.
• Design or develop vacuum tube collector systems for solar applications.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Ansys Fluent; Aurora HelioScope; Data acquisition software; Data visualization software; Energy-10; Finite element method FEM software; HOMER Micropower Optimization Model; National Instruments Compact FieldPoint System; Optical Physics Technologies SUN_CHART; PV Optics; PVsyst; Regional Energy Deployment System ReEDS; RETScreen; Simple Model of the Atmospheric Radiative Transfer of Sunshine SMARTS; Simulation software; Solar Advisor Model; Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment SWERA; SOLAR-2; SolTrace; The MathWorks MATLAB 🔥
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD ; Autodesk AutoCAD LT; Autodesk Revit 🔥; Computer aided design and drafting CADD software; Dassault Systemes SolidWorks 🔥; IMSI TurboCAD; Trimble SketchUp Pro 🔥
• Customer relationship management CRM software - Salesforce software 🔥
• Data base user interface and query software - Database software; Microsoft Access 🔥; Structured query language SQL 🔥
• Development environment software - Microsoft Visual Basic ; Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications VBA ; National Instruments LabVIEW; Software development tools
• Electronic mail software - Microsoft Outlook
• Enterprise resource planning ERP software - Oracle Hyperion
• Geographic information system - ETAP; Geographic information system GIS systems
• Industrial control software - Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA software
• Mobile location based services software - Global positioning system GPS software
• Object or component oriented development software - C++ 🔥; Python ; Python Tools for Visual Studio (PTVS); R 🔥
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office software
• Operating system software - Bash 🔥; Linux 🔥
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint 🔥
• Process mapping and design software - Microsoft Visio 🔥
• Program testing software - Debugging software
• Project management software - Microsoft Project 🔥
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Web platform development software - JavaScript 🔥
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word 🔥

Occupational Requirements

Work Activities

• Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings - Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials - Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• 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.
• Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People - Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
• Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
• 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.
• Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
• Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
• Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
• Developing Objectives and Strategies - Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.
• Scheduling Work and Activities - Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
• 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 materials.
• 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).
• Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment - Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
• 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.
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment - Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• 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.
• Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
• Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Communicating with People Outside the 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.
• Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Selling or Influencing Others - Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
• Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others - Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
• 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.
• Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others - Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
• Developing and Building Teams - Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.
• Training and Teaching Others - Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
• Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates - Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.
• Coaching and Developing Others - Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
• Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
• Performing Administrative Activities - Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.
• Staffing Organizational Units - Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.
• Monitoring and Controlling Resources - Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

Detailed Work Activities

• Collect data about project sites.
• Prepare detailed work plans.
• Design alternative energy systems.
• Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
• Create graphical representations of energy production systems.
• Create models of engineering designs or methods.
• Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications.
• Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
• Determine design criteria or specifications.
• Determine operational methods.
• Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
• Analyze green technology design requirements.
• Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
• Test green technologies or processes.