solar-energy-engineer/references/tasks.md

Tasks & work activities — solar energy engineer

Source: O*NET 30.3, occupation 17-2199.11 (Solar Energy Systems Engineers).

Task statements

• [Core] Review specifications and recommend engineering or manufacturing changes to achieve solar design objectives.
• [Core] Perform thermal, stress, or cost reduction analyses for solar systems.
• [Core] Develop standard operation procedures and quality or safety standards for solar installation work.
• [Core] Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
• [Core] Perform computer simulation of solar photovoltaic (PV) generation system performance or energy production to optimize efficiency.
• [Core] Develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components.
• [Core] Create plans for solar energy system development, monitoring, and evaluation activities.
• [Core] Create electrical single-line diagrams, panel schedules, or connection diagrams for solar electric systems, using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
• [Core] Create checklists for review or inspection of completed solar installation projects.
• [Core] Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
• [Core] Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.
• [Supplemental] Test or evaluate photovoltaic (PV) cells or modules.
• [Supplemental] Design or develop vacuum tube collector systems for solar applications.

Detailed work activities

• Analyze costs and benefits of proposed designs or projects.
• Analyze green technology design requirements.
• Collect data about project sites.
• Create graphical representations of energy production systems.
• Create models of engineering designs or methods.
• Design alternative energy systems.
• Determine design criteria or specifications.
• Determine operational methods.
• Evaluate plans or specifications to determine technological or environmental implications.
• Inspect finished products to locate flaws.
• Prepare detailed work plans.
• Provide technical guidance to other personnel.
• Recommend technical design or process changes to improve efficiency, quality, or performance.
• Test green technologies or processes.