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Solar consultant education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a solar consultant. Solar consultants usually study business, environmental science, or marketing. 60% of solar consultants hold a bachelor's degree, and 19% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 597 real solar consultant resumes to see exactly what solar consultant education sections show.

The most common colleges for solar consultants are the University of California, Santa Barbara and the University of California, Santa Barbara.

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

What education do you need to become a solar consultant?

What degree do you need to be a solar consultant?

The most common degree for solar consultants is bachelor's degree, with 60% of solar consultants earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 19% and associate degree degree at 9%.
  • Bachelor's, 60%
  • Associate, 19%
  • High School Diploma, 9%
  • Master's, 7%
  • Other Degrees, 5%

What should I major in to become a solar consultant?

You should major in business to become a solar consultant. 30% of solar consultants major in business. Other common majors for a solar consultant include environmental science and marketing.

Most common colleges for solar consultants

Solar consultants often get their degrees at University of California, Santa Barbara, California State University - Chico, and University of California - Davis. Here are the most common colleges for solar consultants in the US based on their resumes.
Solar consultant common collegePercentages
University of California, Santa Barbara11.11%
California State University - Chico8.33%
University of California - Davis6.94%
California State University - Fresno6.94%
University of Phoenix6.94%

Best majors for solar consultants

Best colleges for solar consultants

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

A solar consultant 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 consultants. 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 consultants.

1. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$51,354

Enrollment

7,083

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

4. Maine Maritime Academy

Castine, ME • Private

In-state tuition

$13,478

Enrollment

979

5. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

6. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

7. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

8. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,308

Enrollment

6,819

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

10. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$49,880

Enrollment

4,177

20 best online courses for solar consultants

Advertising disclosure

1. Solar Energy for Engineers, Architects and Code Inspectors

coursera

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

coursera

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. Solar Energy beginner to advanced.SolarPV System Design 2023

udemy
4.5
(304)

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

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

udemy
4
(1,260)

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

5. The Science of the Solar System

coursera

Learn about the science behind the current exploration of the solar system in this free class. Use principles from physics, chemistry, biology, and geology to understand the latest from Mars, comprehend the outer solar system, ponder planets outside our solar system, and search for habitability in our neighborhood and beyond. This course is generally taught at an advanced level assuming a prior knowledge of undergraduate math and physics, but the majority of the concepts and lectures can be...

6. Physics of silicon solar cells

coursera

The first MOOC “Photovoltaic solar energy” is a general presentation of the solar photovoltaics technologies in the global energetic context, without extensive details. In particular the description of the solar cell operation is restricted to the ideal case In contrast this second MOOC allows a deep understanding of the properties of solar cells based on crystalline semiconductors. It consists in a general presentation of the physics of the photovoltaics devices with a particular emphasize on...

7. SOLAR COURSE for Beginners of Solar Energy-

udemy
4.2
(410)

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

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

udemy
4.1
(1,703)

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

9. Solar Energy Codes, Permitting and Zoning

coursera

This course equips learners to identify national code and zoning rules specific to photovoltaic (PV) systems, as well as key design elements and points for inspection. Curriculum includes zoning variances, critical elements of the permitting process, planning documents necessary for PV system installation and recommendations for permitting offices to streamline the permit process. Learners gain a code inspector’s perspective in relation to building and electrical code requirements. This course...

10. Hydro, Wind & Solar power: Resources, Variability & Forecast

coursera

The development of hydro, wind and solar power is growing strongly with as one objective to limit and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. All these renewable energies are intermittent with more or less strong variability. This course provides the basis for estimating the resource of these different modes of production and understanding the physical causes of intermittency and seasonal variability. The different modes of electricity production are detailed as well as the sensitivity induced by...

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

udemy
4.4
(1,553)

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

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

udemy
4.4
(7,334)

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

13. Complete Solar Energy Design Course From Zero To Hero

udemy
4.5
(2,110)

The Most Comprehensive and Detailed Course on Designing Off-grid, On-grid, and Solar Water Pumping Systems for Beginners...

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

udemy
4.5
(477)

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

15. Passive Solar Design Series - Understanding Sun

udemy
4
(269)

First step to designing passive solar buildings...

16. OFF-GRID Solar Energy Systems: Design and Operation - 2023

udemy
4.6
(1,000)

[HIGHEST RATED] Taught by an Energy Engineer - Online Certificate - The Latest Technologies - Design Examples & Diagrams...

17. Salesforce Certification - Sales Cloud Consultant

udemy
4.2
(269)

Learn and get Salesforce sales cloud certified. Covers entire exam guide for Salesforce Sales cloud certification exam...

18. Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultant Certification Course

udemy
4.1
(3,048)

Salesforce Sales Cloud Consultants are in demand. Take your Salesforce Career to the Next Level and Become a Consultant...

19. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind

udemy
4
(924)

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

20. Sales Analysis for Management Consultants

udemy
4.6
(251)

A practical guide on how to improve sales and marketing of your customers during consulting projects like Mc Kinsey, BCG,...

Top 10 most affordable universities for solar consultants

The most affordable schools for solar consultants are SUNY Farmingdale, california state university - bakersfield, and baruch college of the city university of new york.

If the best universities for solar consultants 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 consultants.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

3. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

4. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

5. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. SUNY Polytechnic Institute

Utica, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,238

Cost of attendance

21,567

8. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

9. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Cost of attendance

22,990

10. Clayton State University

Morrow, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$5,419

Cost of attendance

17,697

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for solar consultants

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

Some great schools for solar consultants 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 consultants 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. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

4. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

5. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

6. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

7. Villanova University

Villanova, PA • Private

Admissions rate

29%

SAT average

1,407

8. Bentley University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

43%

SAT average

1,338

9. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

10. Brandeis University

Waltham, MA • Private

Admissions rate

31%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for solar consultants

The easiest schools for solar consultants to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, notre dame de namur university, and holy names university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a solar consultant 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 consultants.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

3. Holy Names University

Oakland, CA • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

849

4. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

5. LIM College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

83%

SAT average

1,061

6. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

7. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

8. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

9. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

10. Oregon Institute of Technology

Klamath Falls, OR • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,139

Average solar consultant salary by education level

According to our data, solar consultants with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $93,202 annually. Solar consultants with a Doctorate degree earn an average annual salary of $88,284.
Solar consultant education levelSolar consultant salary
Master's Degree$93,202
High School Diploma or Less$55,647
Bachelor's Degree$80,558
Doctorate Degree$88,284
Some College/ Associate Degree$58,534

Solar consultant 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.