Solar engineers plan, design, and implement solar energy projects. They may manage anything from large-scale municipal projects to home rooftop installations. The engineer typically begins with a client consultation, site assessment, and financial assessment, which help him or her understand the project’s context. The engineer then designs an appropriate plan that takes all relevant factors into account. He or she will oversee or manage implementation of the plan. Solar engineers also need to report on the efficiency, cost, and safety of the project. In some cases the engineer will be on call to deal with outages, emergencies, and system maintenance.
Solar engineers may also conduct financial reviews, ensure regulatory compliance, inspect installation sites, and write technical reports. Computer skills are essential for creating designs and testing photovoltaic systems.