O*NET-SOC 17-2199.11

Solar Energy Systems Engineers

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.

Preparation

ItemValue
Preparation zoneZone 4 – Considerable preparation needed
What O*NET says the zone requiresConsiderable skill, knowledge, or experience is needed
Broad occupation in O*NETFalse (No)
Skills listed for this occupation6
Abilities listed for this occupation6
Tasks listed for this occupation5
Interest scores given for this occupation6

Skills

The 6 skills with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

SkillO*NET elementImportanceDate
Critical Thinking2.A.2.a4.008/2023
Reading Comprehension2.A.1.a4.008/2023
Complex Problem Solving2.B.2.i3.8808/2023
Speaking2.A.1.d3.8808/2023
Writing2.A.1.c3.8808/2023
Active Listening2.A.1.b3.7508/2023

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Abilities

The 6 abilities with the highest importance values in this occupation's records.

AbilityO*NET elementImportanceDate
Deductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.44.008/2023
Problem Sensitivity1.A.1.b.34.008/2023
Written Comprehension1.A.1.a.24.008/2023
Written Expression1.A.1.a.44.008/2023
Fluency of Ideas1.A.1.b.13.8808/2023
Inductive Reasoning1.A.1.b.53.8808/2023

The importance value is what each record itself carries on O*NET's importance scale; the date is the date in each record.

Tasks

The tasks O*NET records for this occupation, with the type, respondent count and date each record carries.

TaskTypeIncumbents respondingDate
Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.Core2808/2023
Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.Core2808/2023
Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.Core2808/2023
Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.Core2808/2023
Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.Core2808/2023

Work interests

The interest scores O*NET gives this occupation, on the six interest types.

InterestScoreDate
Realistic5.9711/2023
Investigative5.0211/2023
Conventional3.9611/2023
Enterprising3.0511/2023
Artistic2.1111/2023
Social1.911/2023

More occupations in preparation zone 4

Source: O*NET 29.1 Database (Occupation Data, Job Zones, Skills, Abilities, Task Statements, Interests), U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Data fetched 2026-10-31. See about and sources.