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Solar engineer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a solar engineer. Solar engineers usually study electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or civil engineering. 65% of solar engineers hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 110 real solar engineer resumes to see exactly what solar engineer education sections show.
The most common colleges for solar engineers are the Pennsylvania State University and the Pennsylvania State University.
There are also many online solar engineer courses to help get the education required to be a solar engineer.
What education do you need to become a solar engineer?
What degree do you need to be a solar engineer?
- Bachelor's, 65%
- Master's, 20%
- Associate, 5%
- Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 6%
What should I major in to become a solar engineer?
- Physics, 7%
- Other Majors, 35%
Most common colleges for solar engineers
| Solar engineer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Pennsylvania State University | 10.71% |
| University of Nevada - Las Vegas | 7.14% |
| San Jose State University | 7.14% |
| California State University - San Bernardino | 7.14% |
| Metropolitan State University of Denver | 7.14% |
Best majors for solar engineers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electrical Engineering | 29.7% |
| 2 | Mechanical Engineering | 20.3% |
| 3 | Civil Engineering | 8.1% |
| 4 | Physics | 6.8% |
| 5 | Legal Research And Advanced Professional Studies | 6.8% |
Best colleges for solar engineers
The best colleges for solar engineers are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Stanford University.
A solar engineer 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 engineers. 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 engineers.
1. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
5. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
7. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
8. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
9. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
In-state tuition
$53,430
Enrollment
5,963
10. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,832
Enrollment
4,550
20 best online courses for solar engineers
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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...
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5. The Science of the Solar System
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6. Photovoltaic solar energy
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...
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10. Photovoltaic Systems
This course offers you advanced knowledge within the field of photovoltaic system technology. We'll learn about the solar resource and how photovoltaic energy conversion is used to produce electric power. From this fundamental starting point we'll cover the design and fabrication of different solar cell and module technologies, the various photovoltaic system components, how to design a photovoltaic plant and carry out energy yield simulations, essentials in energy economics, O&M and...
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14. OFF-GRID Solar Energy Systems: Design and Operation - 2023
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15. The complete SOLAR ENERGY course. Beginner to advanced level
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16. Passive Solar Design Series - Understanding Sun
First step to designing passive solar buildings...
17. Financial modeling Renewable Energy: Solar & Wind
Learn how build a financial model for solar plants and wind plants, and help seal renewable energy deals worldwide!...
18. Electrical Low Voltage System Distribution Design
Design of Power & Lighting Distribution System using Auto CAD, DIALux, & Low Voltage Calculations Using Excel Sheets...
19. Product Development & Systems Engineering
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20. Complete Etap course for Power Electrical Engineering
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Top 10 most affordable universities for solar engineers
The most affordable schools for solar engineers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and brigham young university.
If the best universities for solar engineers 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 engineers.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
4. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
5. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
6. New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
Socorro, NM • Private
In-state tuition
$7,770
Cost of attendance
21,244
7. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
9. California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,886
Cost of attendance
17,645
10. California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Pomona, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,353
Cost of attendance
21,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for solar engineers
The hardest universities for solar engineers to get into are Northwestern University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and Stanford University.
Some great schools for solar engineers 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 engineers 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. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
3. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
4. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
5. Yale University
New Haven, CT • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,517
6. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
7. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
8. California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,566
9. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,471
10. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
Admissions rate
10%
SAT average
1,514
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for solar engineers
The easiest schools for solar engineers to get into are Oregon Institute of Technology, texas a&m; university - corpus christi, and texas a&m; university - kingsville.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a solar engineer 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 engineers.
1. Oregon Institute of Technology
Klamath Falls, OR • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,139
2. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, TX • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,068
3. Texas A&M University - Kingsville
Kingsville, TX • Private
Admissions rate
89%
SAT average
1,035
4. South Dakota State University
Brookings, SD • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,149
5. Cleveland State University
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,111
6. Capitol Technology University
Laurel, MD • Private
Admissions rate
69%
SAT average
1,070
7. Old Dominion University
Norfolk, VA • Private
Admissions rate
87%
SAT average
1,093
8. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
9. University of Southern Maine
Portland, ME • Private
Admissions rate
85%
SAT average
1,050
10. Saint Cloud State University
Saint Cloud, MN • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
1,086
Average solar engineer salary by education level
| Solar engineer education level | Solar engineer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $86,795 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $74,890 |
| Doctorate Degree | $98,367 |
Solar engineer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common architecture and engineering questions.
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025