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Solar energy engineers design and implement solar energy projects for clients, creating solar cells and panels to harness the sun’s rays. The demand for skilled workers in this renewable and environmentally friendly field is growing, with projects ranging from small additions to large power plants. A solid educational background in science, math, and engineering is required, as well as specific training in solar engineering. Maintenance and problem-solving skills are also important.
Green jobs work to provide long-term natural energy solutions to human endeavors. A solar energy engineer is one such profession and these individuals deal specifically with energy derived from the sun. These engineers harness the sun’s rays through solar cells and panels. They work with clients in the planning, design and implementation of solar energy projects on a personal or civilian level.
Solar energy is a renewable and environmentally friendly form of energy. Thus, the demand for skilled workers in this technology is growing. Generally speaking, solar energy takes the sun’s rays and converts them into a natural energy source.
At the most basic level, the solar energy engineer is responsible for creating solar energy cells. They achieve this goal, in part, by studying temperature and its effects on Earth’s elements in all forms: liquid, gas and solid. Solar cells are what engineers use to gather and store the sun’s rays, and once created these cells can be used to create larger structures called solar panels. Small panels can be used for additions to a small building or specific equipment such as a swimming pool. Larger panels can be used to support entire solar power plants.
A solar energy engineer can work for anyone who wants to use solar energy as a primary or secondary energy source. Projects can range from conversions of private homes to renovations of large portions of an entire city. After an initial consultation with the client, a typical project will involve several steps.
The energy conversion site must first be visited and assessed. From this assessment, the solar engineer creates a specific plan that addresses the best approach, the risks of a specific project, and the technology and financial support that the project will require. From there, the solar engineer can oversee specific details as the project comes to fruition.
Meetings and debriefing with these clients is therefore an important part of the job. Teamwork and communication skills are often essential. Technical report writing is also common, so some proficiency in this area will likely be invaluable as well.
Someone in this field may also occasionally work in a maintenance capacity. If a customer with solar technology has problems with the equipment, the engineer may be called in to help find the source of the malfunction. Such functions may also include conducting assessments and recommending improvements to systems.
Additionally, solar energy engineer jobs may require familiarity with specific equipment. Transformers, inverters and photovoltaic modules are just a few components that the solar engineer will deal with on a daily basis. The engineer will also need to track designs and progress using computer aids such as data acquisition systems.
A solid educational background for an engineer in solar energy and other engineering professions will include many courses in science, math, and hard research. A bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline such as electrical or mechanical engineering will also generally be required, as will specific training in advanced education in solar engineering. In some areas, more advanced certification may be required.
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