Electrical Engineer Jobs for Solar Energy

@Work in Renewables

Different jobs for Electrical Engineers

From design to maintenance

Here are some key tasks for an electrical engineer in the solar energy sector:

Designing and testing electrical systems for solar power generation: This involves designing the circuitry and electronics used in solar modules, as well as the wiring and electrical components used to connect solar modules to a power grid or battery.

Solar Park Maintenance jobs for Electrical Engineers

Troubleshooting and maintaining solar power systems: This includes diagnosing and fixing electrical problems with solar modules, inverters, batteries, and other components.
Optimizing solar power systems: Maximizing efficiency by analyzing data on energy production and using this to identify areas for improvement in the design or operation of a solar power system.
Developing new solar technologies: This could involve researching and testing new materials, developing new electronic components, or designing new systems that can better integrate with existing power grids.

What skills do you need?

We will help you

Skilleon will help you to turn your ambition in to practice, by matching your current skills and ambition to exciting new projects via your Skilleon Profile. Here are some examples of skills that are most commonly used in the Solar Energy sector:

Knowledge of Solar Energy electrical engineering principles: You must have a strong understanding of electrical engineering principles, including circuit theory, electromagnetics, power electronics, and control systems.

Solar Park jobs for Electrical Engineers

Solar energy system design: You have knowledge of solar energy system design, including the components and how they work together. That is crucial to develop efficient and effective systems.
Problem-solving skills: You must be able to identify and solve problems quickly and effectively, using a combination of analytical, creative, and critical thinking skills.
Attention to detail: If you are working in the solar energy sector, you must have a keen attention to detail, as small mistakes in the design or maintenance of electrical systems can have serious consequences.
Knowledge of safety standards and regulations.

Switch from industry

Be part of the Energy Transition

An electrical engineering job in the solar energy sector is your opportunity to have a positive impact on the energy transition. If you are currently working in another sector, a switch to solar energy is less of a leap than you think. While the two sectors probably have different technologies and applications, the underlying principles of electrical engineering remain the same, and many of the skills and experience gained in your current sector could be transferable to the solar energy sector.

There are several transferable skills that you can leverage when transitioning from, for example the oil and gas industry, to the solar energy sector, like:

Electrical design skills: The ability to design electrical systems is critical in both the oil and gas and solar energy industries.
Control systems experience: With experience in designing and implementing control systems you can leverage that knowledge when designing solar energy control systems.
Project management experience: Experience in project management is relevant in both industries.
Data analysis skills: You can use your expertise in data analysis to evaluate the feasibility and performance of solar energy systems.
Troubleshooting skills: The ability to troubleshoot electrical problems is transferable across many different industries.

While there may be some differences in terms of the technical aspects of the job, an electrical engineer with a solid foundation in electrical engineering principles should be able to adapt and learn quickly in the solar energy sector. To improve your chances of a successful transition, you may need to gain additional knowledge and skills specific to the solar energy industry, such as solar energy system design, photovoltaic technology, and energy storage systems.

Specialized Software Skills

What software are you familiar with?

You don't have to be experienced in all software, but here give you some examples of the packages that are used by several companies in the Solar Energy sector. They are used to design, analyze, and optimize electrical systems for Solar parks. Maybe you already use some of these tools:

PVsyst: A software tool used for simulating and analyzing the performance of photovoltaic systems.

AutoCAD Electrical: Computer-aided design (CAD) software specifically designed for electrical engineers that allows them to create and modify electrical drawings.
MATLAB/Simulink: Software tool that provides a simulation environment for designing and testing control systems, including those used in solar energy systems.
ETAP: Software tool used for power system analysis and design, including for solar energy systems.
PSCAD: Software tool used for simulating and analyzing power systems, including solar energy systems.
HOMER: Software tool used for analyzing and optimizing off-grid and grid-tied renewable energy systems, including solar energy systems.
SAM: The System Advisor Model (SAM) is a free software tool developed by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) that can be used to evaluate the performance and economics of solar energy systems.
DesignSpark Electrical: A free electrical design software that can be used to create electrical schematics and control panel layouts.
SolidWorks Electrical: Software tool used for designing electrical systems and generating electrical schematics.
Dialux: Software tool used for lighting design and analysis, which can be useful when designing solar lighting systems.

Available roles through Skilleon

Your ambition counts

You can be a specialized electrical engineer, which will be needed on every project, always. But you can also decide to look for other roles. Here are some career possibilities for professionals with an electrical engineering background:

Power Systems Engineer: You are responsible for analyzing and designing the electrical infrastructure of a solar park, including the transmission and distribution systems that connect a solar park to the electricity grid.

Control Systems Engineer: As control systems engineers you will design and develop the control systems that regulate and optimize the operation of the solar panels and the solar park.
Solar PV System Designer: You are involved in the design of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, including designing the layout of the solar modules, selecting appropriate components, and designing the electrical wiring and interconnections.
Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Engineer: You are responsible for monitoring the performance of the solar park and identifying and addressing any issues that may arise. Moreover, you are responsible for developing and implementing maintenance plans for the solar park to ensure optimal performance and efficiency.
Energy Storage Engineer: As electrical engineers with expertise in energy storage systems you could be involved in the design and integration of energy storage systems into solar parks, which can help to increase the reliability and efficiency of the solar park.
Project Manager: As electrical engineer with project management experience you can take on the role of project manager for a solar park project. You would be responsible for overseeing the project from start to finish, including design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.

What wages can I expect?

Average income

Salaries for electrical engineers in the solar energy industry in the Netherlands and in Europe can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, and job responsibilities. Here are some rough estimates of average salaries in the Netherlands and in Europe (note: for freelancers the income will be considerably higher due to different employment conditions).

Electrical engineer in the Netherlands:
- Entry-level electrical engineer: €35,000 to €50,000 per year
- Mid-level electrical engineer: €50,000 to €80,000 per year
- Senior-level electrical engineer: €80,000 to €120,000 or more per year

Your Skilleon Profile, the entry to the Solar Energy Industry

Skilleon makes your ambitions come true

You want to grow your career, move up in life, and find the path that leads you forward. You want to control it, like the professional you are.

What if the solar industry leading companies can give you this opportunity? All you have to do is show them your skills, experience, and ambition, opening the door to make your ambitions come true!

Which companies are involved?

Dream projects by various Solar Energy companies for Electrical Engineers

Do you want to work for the Solar Energy Client? The Contractor? The Architect? In what kind of team? Nearby your home address, or rather within reach of the sunny beaches around the world? Do you want to deepen your existing skills or partly reskill or upskill your profile?

The Solar Energy clients we work for offer you the best projects with lots of possibilities. We will connect you to them, on basis of your Skilleon Profile and ambitions.