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Solar thermal engineers design, construct, and maintain solar thermal power generation systems. They manage heat transfer to electrical current, oversee facility operations, comply with regulations, and conduct site planning. They can work on large commercial projects or smaller residential systems.
A solar thermal engineer develops or manages the generation of electricity through solar thermal energy. Sometimes an individual in this field works at the utility level, building or managing projects that produce large amounts of electricity for commercial users. The solar thermal engineer can act as a project manager with other engineers and manufacturers of solar thermal components. He or she can do site planning or model the power of the system. Someone in this position is likely to handle other responsibilities that often come with a large engineering project, such as risk management or compliance with government regulations.
These engineers are usually responsible for managing some or all aspects of heat transfer to electrical current. In solar thermal power generation, heat from the radiant energy of sunlight is captured through collectors, which are usually tubes filled with water heated by sunlight. A solar thermal engineer is typically responsible for managing the design, construction and maintenance of the collectors. Conduits that transfer collected heat must also be designed to be compatible with the overall power generation system. A subcontractor may be responsible for material selection, such as the type of composite, metal or plastic to be used, but the solar thermal engineer will likely be included in that decision.
The role of the solar thermal engineer project manager often includes overseeing aspects of facility operations in addition to design and construction. Ensuring that all aspects of the solar thermal project undertaken by subcontractors meet the required specifications is yet another facet of solar thermal engineering. Typically, any large-scale power generation installation, including solar thermal installations, will be subject to government regulations and utility oversight. This is done to ensure public safety and consistency in the supply of energy to the utility’s customers. The solar thermal engineer is generally responsible for complying with these regulations and any reporting responsibilities that regulatory bodies may require.
A solar thermal engineer can do the site planning. If he or she is building a solar thermal power source for a large commercial complex or building, the assessment of site characteristics will likely include conducting energy modeling. The engineer usually tries to determine the best use of the site and the optimal placement of the thermal collectors to ensure that maximum energy is collected. He or she may also report the suitability of the site to project funders.
Not all projects undertaken by solar thermal engineers are on a commercial scale. Those working on the home side of the business can perform similar tasks, albeit on a smaller scale. Solar thermal generation on the residential side will generally be a much less complex system, although some similar compliance and safety regulations will still apply.
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