| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Energy and Solar |
| Level | Mid level |
| Reports to | Design Head |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 3 to 6 years in solar system design |
Solar Design Engineer job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Solar Design Engineer
Department: Energy and Solar
Reports to: Design Head
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Solar Design Engineer designs solar power systems, from layout and sizing to electrical drawings and yield estimates. They design PV plants and rooftops, size components, prepare single line diagrams and BOQs, and model expected generation. The role reports to the Design Head or Head of Solar Projects. A good solar design engineer produces safe, code compliant designs that generate as predicted, optimises layout and component choice for cost and yield, and gives projects accurate drawings, quantities and generation estimates.
Key responsibilities
- Design solar plant and rooftop layouts to maximise yield within the site.
- Size modules, inverters, cables and protection for the system.
- Prepare single line diagrams, layout drawings and electrical designs.
- Model expected generation and performance ratio using design software.
- Prepare bills of quantity and specifications for the procurement team.
- Ensure designs meet electrical codes, standards and grid requirements.
- Design earthing, lightning protection and cable routing for the plant.
- Support tendering with designs, estimates and technical inputs for bids.
- Review site data and shadow analysis to refine the design.
- Coordinate with project and site teams to resolve design queries.
Requirements
- Engineering degree in electrical or electronics
- Training in solar design tools
- Knowledge of electrical codes and standards
- 3 to 6 years in solar system design
KRAs and KPIs for a Solar Design Engineer
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| Design accuracy | Designs cleared through review without major rework on most projects |
| Yield prediction | Actual generation matching design estimate within the agreed tolerance |
| Code compliance | Designs meeting electrical codes and standards with no compliance issue |
| On-time design | Designs and drawings delivered by the project schedule |
| Cost optimisation | Component and layout choices meeting the cost and yield targets |
| BOQ accuracy | Bills of quantity accurate with material variance below the target |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: PVsyst, AutoCAD, Helioscope or similar, MS Excel, Shadow analysis tools.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior Design Engineer, Design Head, Project Manager
Interview questions for a Solar Design Engineer
- How do you size inverters and modules for a plant?
- How do you model expected generation and performance ratio?
- How do you optimise a rooftop layout for maximum yield?
- How do you ensure your design meets electrical codes and grid rules?
- How do you handle shading in a design?
- Tell me about a design where you improved yield or cut cost.
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What does a solar design engineer do?
A solar design engineer designs solar power systems, from layout and sizing to electrical drawings and yield estimates. They design PV plants and rooftops, size modules, inverters and cables, prepare single line diagrams and bills of quantity, and model expected generation. They produce safe, code compliant designs that generate as predicted.
What software does a solar design engineer use?
A solar design engineer commonly uses PVsyst for generation modelling, AutoCAD for layout and electrical drawings, and tools like Helioscope for rooftop design and shading analysis. Excel is used for sizing and bills of quantity. Knowing these tools, along with electrical codes and standards, is expected in most solar design roles.
What qualifications do you need to be a solar design engineer?
Most solar design engineers hold an engineering degree in electrical or electronics with training in solar design tools. Employers look for skill in system design and component sizing, PVsyst modelling, AutoCAD drafting, and knowledge of electrical codes and grid requirements. Accuracy in drawings, quantities and yield estimates is essential.