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Solar business developer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a solar business developer. Solar business developers usually study business, mechanical engineering, or real estate. 79% of solar business developers hold a bachelor's degree, and 21% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 29 real solar business developer resumes to see exactly what solar business developer education sections show.

The most common colleges for solar business developers are the Azusa Pacific University and the Azusa Pacific University.

There are also many online solar business developer courses to help get the education required to be a solar business developer.

What education do you need to become a solar business developer?

What degree do you need to be a solar business developer?

  • Bachelor's, 79%
  • Master's, 21%

What should I major in to become a solar business developer?

You should major in business to become a solar business developer. 25% of solar business developers major in business. Other common majors for a solar business developer include mechanical engineering and real estate.

Most common colleges for solar business developers

Solar business developers often get their degrees at Azusa Pacific University, University of Pennsylvania, and New York University. Here are the most common colleges for solar business developers in the US based on their resumes.
Solar business developer common collegePercentages
Azusa Pacific University8.33%
University of Pennsylvania8.33%
New York University8.33%
Massachusetts Institute of Technology8.33%
University of New Hampshire8.33%

Best majors for solar business developers

RankMajorPercentages
1Business25.0%
2Mechanical Engineering15.0%
3Real Estate10.0%
4Political Science10.0%
5History5.0%

Best colleges for solar business developers

The best colleges for solar business developers are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Pennsylvania.

A solar business developer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for solar business developers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become solar business developers.

1. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

4. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

8. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

9. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$55,188

Enrollment

15,105

10. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

20 best online courses for solar business developers

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1. Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors

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This specialization provides an overview of solar photovoltaics (PV), intricacies of solar system design, and a framework for solar PV project management. Targeted for engineers, HVAC installers, architects and building code inspectors, it is also appropriate for anyone considering a career in the growing renewable energy field of solar power. Courses introduce how PV operates and the anatomy of solar electric systems, the economics of solar power, pros and cons of different systems,...

2. Photovoltaic solar energy

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The course is an introduction to the photovoltaic (PV) applications in the general mix energetic context dominated by climate warming mitigation. The various uses of solar energy are firstly presented before a short description of the principle of the direct solar photon conversion into electricity (PV). The various PV technologies are reviewed in the current context dominated by crystalline silicon cells. The perspectives of the various technologies are then analysed in terms of R&D...

3. The Complete 2022 PV Solar Energy PVsyst, Excel & AutoCAD

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Your solar Energy guide to design any Grid-tie & Off-grid Photovoltaic Solar Energy with software , layouts & manuals...

4. Solar Energy beginner to advanced.SolarPV System Design 2023

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2023 Learn solar energy, from the components to the design of a Solar PV System. Focused on both technical & commercial...

5. SOLAR ENERGY Design Course(With SketchUp & PVSYST)-PV system

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PV system/Solar Energy deisgn Course. Components, Site survey, Design, SOFTWARES,Pricing ,Technical & finanical Reports...

6. SOLAR COURSE for Beginners of Solar Energy-

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4.2
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A perfect course with industry examples, tips, thumb rules& calculations for simplified learning, CERTIFICATECourse 2022...

7. The Ultimate OFF-GRID Solar Energy Course. Become a Pro 2023

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Solar Off-Grid certificate: The only SOLAR OFF-GRID course you'll ever need!...

8. Complete Solar Energy Design Course From Zero To Hero

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10. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind

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Learn how build a financial model for solar plants and wind plants, and help seal renewable energy deals worldwide!...

11. Business Mind - Mastering Business Development

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Master in Practice the Product, Sales and Marketing Perspective of Business Development...

12. Complete 2023 PV Solar Energy PVSol Premium,Excel,PVsyst

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Only online course with everything you need to learn about Solar Energy on grid + off grid using 4 methods from scratch...

13. The complete SOLAR ENERGY course. Beginner to advanced level

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4.4
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The only online course with everything you need to know on Solar Energy - 2023 Online CERTIFICATE - BEST SELLER!...

14. Business Plan: Outlines , Templates & Case Study

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4.5
(833)

Learn Business Planning & Lean Thinking to develop a Complete Business Plan...

15. Business Strategy Development: The Art of Differentiation

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4.5
(3,084)

Learn 3 key business strategy tools. Improve your business innovation skills and drive profitable business development...

16. Business Analysis: Developing Irresistible Business Cases

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4.5
(2,348)

Building the business acumen you need to promote your projects to management...

17. Executive Coaching and Business Case Development

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4
(256)

The Guide to Executive Coaching and Business Case Development Success...

18. The Ultimate Guide to Startup Business Development

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4.3
(1,007)

Learn and master the function of business development in this practical, actionable, and content-rich training course...

19. Business Development For Startups and Tech Companies

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4.4
(2,191)

Unlock massive growth using the business development channel. Learn pitching, BD strategy, cold emailing, & deal closing...

20. CRM: Customer Relationship Management

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4.4
(1,546)

Practical Ideas To Generate Sales, Loyalty And Repeat Business Fast...

Top 10 most affordable universities for solar business developers

The most affordable schools for solar business developers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and suny farmingdale.

If the best universities for solar business developers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for solar business developers.

1. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

2. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

3. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

4. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

6. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. Florida Atlantic University

Boca Raton, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$4,831

Cost of attendance

19,559

9. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

10. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for solar business developers

The hardest universities for solar business developers to get into are Northwestern University, Stanford University, and University of Pennsylvania.

Some great schools for solar business developers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for solar business developers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

2. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

6. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

7. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for solar business developers

The easiest schools for solar business developers to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, la roche college, and notre dame de namur university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a solar business developer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for solar business developers.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. La Roche College

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

99%

SAT average

1,008

3. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

6. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

7. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

8. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

Average solar business developer salary by education level

According to our data, solar business developers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $131,431 annually. Solar business developers with a Doctorate degree earn an average annual salary of $125,889.
Solar business developer education levelSolar business developer salary
Master's Degree$131,431
High School Diploma or Less$87,232
Bachelor's Degree$117,051
Doctorate Degree$125,889
Some College/ Associate Degree$90,811

Solar business developer education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.