Solar Engineer is a professional who is expected to create solar cells to collect and store the energy emitting from the rays of the sun. They are the persons who plan, design and implement solar energy plants or projects. They are apt to maintain solar plants from as small as on a household rooftop to as large as a community project.
Solar Engineer Eligibility
The minimum educational qualification for becoming a Solar Engineer is a Bachelor’s Degree in Energy Technology or some related field from a recognized institute.
Solar Engineer Required Skills
- Agility is the most important trait required to become a Solar Engineer as he/she has to travel a lot to different work site including overseas locations.
- Flair to indulge in field work will help a lot to enjoy a Solar Engineer his otherwise hard job.
- Solar Engineer must have good communications skills as he has to consult with clients, create technical reports and write e-mails in these concerns.
- Analytical mind, knowledge of the latest technology and various software like AutoCAD can help a Solar Engineer to excel in the field.
How to become a Solar Engineer?
One has to follow below-mentioned steps for becoming a Solar Engineer:-
Step 1
Aspiring candidate needs to complete their 10+2 class in the Non-Medical stream (with Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry as main subjects) from a recognized board.
Step 2
After 12th class, they have to go for further Bachelor’s Degree course related to Solar Engineering from some recognized colleges/universities. Students may have to appear in state or all India level entrance tests for getting admission to these courses in some of the reputed institutes.
Engineering Degree Courses-
- B.E/B.Tech. (Solar and Alternate Engineering)
- B.Tech.(Energy Technology)
- B.Tech.(Mechanical/Electrical)
- B.Tech.(Industrial Engineering)
Some of the Entrance Tests for these Courses-
- UPES Entrance Exam
- JEE – Joint Entrance Test
Step 3
After completing candidates can also go for further Master’s Degree courses like M.Tech. (Solar Power Engineering) etc. as at some of the places it is credited during offering jobs especially for research or managing jobs.
Institutes offering Courses for Solar Engineer
- UPES, Dehradun
- Amity Institute of Renewable and Alternative Energy, Noida
- Amity Institute of Energy and Environment, New Delhi
- Institute of Energy Studies, Anna University, Chennai
- Indian Institute of Technology.
Solar Engineer Job Description
Solar Engineer work profile includes creating solar cells and collecting and storing the sun’s rays. They plan, design and implement solar energy projects.
Their job description may include managing anything from a large scale municipal project to a small rooftop installation.
They may also conduct financial reviews, ensure regulatory compliances, inspect installations sites and prepare technical reports.
Client consultations, site assessments and financial assessments required to help to understand the project are also the responsibilities of a Solar Engineer.
Solar Engineer Career Prospects
A qualified Solar Engineer has an array of options available from being a Solar Installer, a Photovoltaic designer to a Solar Project Analyst.
In India, there are more than 150 industries in the field of manufacturing Solar Power production products like Solar Panels, Frames, Invertors, Solar Lights and Solar Gadgets etc. Solar Engineer can get handsome jobs in these units across India. Those with entrepreneurial skills can opt for their own manufacturing units.
Marketing and Sales is one of the most regarding option in the field of Solar Energy. Thus Solar Engineer can also opt for marketing Solar Power Production Products.
Solar Engineers who are interested in fieldwork can work as installers. Installers are in the high demand. However, the prospective installer may have to obtain the mandatory license to work in the overseas market.
The starting monthly salary of Solar Engineer is around Rs.25,000 plus other perks. However, there is a steep rise in the pay package once a Solar Engineer gets some experience in the field.
There is no upper limit for those who opt for manufacturing and installation work in the field.
