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Description
Design and engineer solar photovoltaic (PV) and solar thermal systems for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Perform site-specific analysis, system sizing, and documentation using knowledge of building loads, local codes, climate, solar technology, and thermodynamics to deliver efficient, code-compliant, and constructible designs.
  • • Conduct site surveys or remote assessments to collect structural, electrical, and shading data for design.
  • • Model PV energy production and system losses to optimize layouts and equipment selection.
  • • Size arrays, strings, conductors, and overcurrent protection per NEC and manufacturer requirements.
  • • Produce permit and construction plan sets, including single-line diagrams, layouts, and wiring details, using CAD.
  • • Develop design specifications, bills of materials, and functional requirements for solar systems and components.
  • • Evaluate PV modules, inverters, racking, and BOS components for compatibility and performance.
  • • Perform structural, thermal, and electrical calculations, including wind/snow loads and voltage drop.
  • • Review designs for cost, safety, and constructability; recommend changes to meet project objectives.
  • • Establish and maintain design standards, templates, and QA/QC checklists for deliverables and installations.
  • • Coordinate with utilities and AHJs on codes, permitting, and interconnection requirements.
  • • Provide technical support to sales, project management, and installation teams through commissioning.
  • • Define monitoring, metering, and performance verification requirements and plans.
  • • Generate as-built documentation and update designs based on field redlines and test results.
  • • Design solar thermal solutions, including evacuated tube collectors, for DHW or space heating when required.
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Tasks & skills: O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge). Learn more
Sources & Standards: This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
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