Potential Career/Occupation Information

Occupation Information table

Overview:	Perform site-specific engineering analysis or evaluation of energy efficiency and solar projects involving residential, commercial, or industrial customers. Design solar domestic hot water and space heating systems for new and existing structures, applying knowledge of structural energy requirements, local climates, solar technology, and thermodynamics.
Duties:	Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities. Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems. Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings. Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software. Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
Degree(s):	A.S. Engineering Science
Job Outlook:	Opportunities in this occupation are expected to grow slower than average through 2028. The projected number of job openings from 2018 to 2028 is about 33,000. California is the leading state for solar jobs, with New Mexico, New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts following.
Growth:
Green:
Education Level:	Typically, a Bachelor’s Degree from a 4-year college (some are 5 years) is required to be considered for this occupation.
Additional Training/Education:	A bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or electrical engineering is typically required for solar engineering positions. In some areas, more advanced certification could be required. Degrees in industrial engineering, chemical engineering, and computer software engineering may also be helpful. Many jobs require Professional Engineer (PE) or Engineer in Training (EIT) licensure.
Recommended Skills:	Analyzing requirements for a new product or service and creating a design to satisfy those needs. Using mathematics and/or statistics to solve problems.
Recommended Values:	Having a routine job where the duties are very predictable and not likely to change over a long period of time. Gaining the respect of others by the nature and/or level of responsibility of your work. Doing something to contribute to the betterment of the world. Doing something for the greater good. Being able to decide on how to get something done without significant direction from someone else.

* National data collected by the Department of Labor in 2014 with projections through 2024. For New York green job information .

* For New York salary data information .

* For New York green job information .

Understanding acquiring positions in this field may be enhanced through continuing academic study (i.e. earning a baccalaureate or a master's degree) and/or work experience in the field, Queensborough Community College has established transfer agreements with other institutions for students who wish to further pursue their educational goals. Students are highly encouraged to meet with one of our Career Services to fully understand the opportunities available through study in their degree program.