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To become a solar designer, learn PV and electrical basics, master one design tool, build a portfolio of sample designs, then apply for design or drafting jobs. In the US, related jobs had median pay of $76,870 (electrical drafters) and $120,630 (electrical engineers) in May 2025. NABCEP's optional PV Design Specialist needs 24 hours of design training.
Solar design is a job you can enter from a trade, a degree or another field, and no law sets one required qualification. This guide gives a step-by-step roadmap, the skills you need, what the NABCEP certification asks for, and pay figures with their sources. Every number below has a source named next to it. Last updated: November 2026.
SurgePV publishes this post and sells solar design software.
How Do You Become a Solar Designer? A 5-Step Roadmap
- Learn the basics. Study direct current (DC) circuits, how solar modules wire into strings, and how an inverter works. You do not need a power electronics degree. You do need to follow the math in a string-size check.
- Learn a design tool. Pick one tool for roof modeling, panel layout, shade checks and a wiring diagram. Practice until you can finish a standard home design without help. A computer-aided design (CAD) program such as AutoCAD helps for custom drawings.
- Take training and think about certification. A course gives you structure. NABCEP’s PV Design Specialist (PVDS) is an optional credential for designers. Its rules are in the NABCEP section below.
- Build a portfolio. Show 5 to 10 complete sample designs. Include the layout, the shade result, the string setup, the wiring diagram and a short note on why you made each choice.
- Apply for your first job. Look for titles like junior solar designer, PV design technician or CAD technician. Show your portfolio in the interview.
How long does this take? It depends on your starting point, and we have no sourced average. The only fixed time rules we found are NABCEP’s: training hours, and design projects finished within two calendar years before you apply.
How Much Does a Solar Designer Earn?
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not publish pay for “solar designer.” We did not find a separate line for it. The table shows related jobs. Solar companies may pay differently from the average of all employers in these jobs.
| Related US job (BLS code) | 10th percentile | Median | 90th percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and electronics drafters (17-3012) | $50,040 | $76,870 | $120,290 |
| Solar photovoltaic installers (47-2231) | $41,600 | $53,140 | $79,970 |
| Electrical engineers (17-2071) | $76,550 | $120,630 | $184,300 |
These are annual wages in US dollars for May 2025. They come from the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, read through the BLS public data API on 28 October 2026. The median is the middle wage: half of workers earn more and half earn less. For all US jobs, the May 2025 median was $50,980.
- All US occupations$50,980
- Solar PV installers$53,140
- Electrical drafters$76,870
- Electrical engineers$120,630
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, checked 28 October 2026 (May 2025 data).
Key Takeaway
No US government source prices “solar designer” as a job. Drafters sit about $23,700 above installers at the median ($76,870 against $53,140), so treat design pay as a range between those jobs until you see real offers.
Pay in other countries differs. We have not added country tables, because we have no dated source we can quote for them. For installer pay by country, see our solar installer salary by country guide.
Practice on a real roof model
See how roof modeling, layout, shading and a wiring plan fit in one design tool in a guided demo.
Book a DemoChecking cost first? See the SurgePV pricing page
Latest Updates: Solar Jobs in 2026
Solar PV is a large employer worldwide. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) estimates 7.2 million solar PV jobs in 2024, up from 7.1 million in 2023. China had 58% of them, about 4.2 million. The United States had close to 280,100 PV jobs. These figures are from the IRENA and International Labour Organization (ILO) jobs review published in January 2026.
The report counts all PV jobs, not design jobs alone. We found no public count of solar designer jobs, so we do not give one.
What Does a Solar Designer Do?
A solar designer plans a PV system so it works, is safe, and gets a permit. NABCEP’s job task analysis for the PV Design Specialist (February 2021) lists nine tasks:
- Review customer expectations.
- Review project criteria.
- Assess the project site.
- Configure the mechanical design.
- Configure the electrical design.
- Configure system monitoring, control and communications design.
- Prepare project documentation.
- Secure permits and approvals.
- Adapt the system design.
NABCEP says PV Design Specialists configure the electrical design of a project and design both its mechanical and electrical parts (NABCEP PVDS page). In plain words, you check the site, place the panels, size the wiring, draw the plans and fix them when the permit office asks for changes.
What is a PV designer or solar design engineer?
Employers use titles such as PV designer, solar PV designer and solar design engineer. The tasks overlap. For a full duty list, read our solar design engineer job description and solar design engineer skills guides.
Which Skills Do You Need?
DC electrical basics
Solar modules wire in series into strings, and strings can wire in parallel. You need Ohm’s law and the main module numbers: open-circuit voltage (Voc), the voltage at maximum power (Vmp), and short-circuit current (Isc). Voc goes up when it gets colder. A string must stay under the inverter’s maximum DC input voltage on the coldest day. It must also stay above the inverter’s minimum voltage on a hot day. Software can run these checks, but you must be able to read and defend the result.
Shade analysis
Shade from chimneys, vents and trees cuts output. A shade tool shows how much sun each part of the roof gets. Your job is to decide what to do with the result, such as moving a row of panels. See our shadow analysis software page for how this fits in a design tool.
Wiring diagrams and permits
A single line diagram (SLD) is a simple drawing of how the system is wired, from the panels to the grid. The permit office checks it. The permit office is called the authority having jurisdiction, or AHJ. An SLD that does not match the layout can get a permit rejected.
Electrical codes
In the US, the main code is the National Electrical Code (NEC), Article 690 for solar. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) lists the 2026 edition as current. It also lists the 2023, 2020 and 2017 editions, so a new edition comes every three years (NFPA 70 page). Each local authority decides which edition it enforces, so ask yours. Other countries have their own rules.
Which Path Into Solar Design Fits You?
- Engineering degree. It gives the strongest base in circuits and power systems. It is not required.
- Electrician or installer. You already know wiring, panels and code. Add DC and PV design knowledge on top. See our guide on how to become a solar installer.
- Courses. A course gives structure and a certificate. Compare options in our solar design courses guide.
- On-the-job training. Some solar companies hire design assistants and train them. Pair this with outside study so your skills carry to other employers.
NABCEP does not ask for a degree in its PVDS rules. It asks for training hours and design experience, as shown next.
What Does the NABCEP PV Design Specialist Certification Require?
The North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) offers the PV Design Specialist (PVDS) board certification. It is voluntary. The 2025 NABCEP candidate handbook and the NABCEP fees page (read 28 October 2026) state the following.
| Item | What NABCEP states |
|---|---|
| Age | At least 18 |
| Safety training | 10 hours of OSHA Outreach Training for construction, or a government equivalent |
| Design training | 24 hours: 18 hours of advanced PV design and 6 hours of the National Electrical Code, taken in the 5 calendar years before you apply |
| Design experience | Designs worth at least 12 project credits. A system of 1 to 999 kW earns 2 credits. A system of 1 MW or more earns 3. |
| Design rules | You drew the plans and your name or initials are on them. Designs finished in the 2 calendar years before you apply. Each system is at least 1 kW DC. |
| Exam | 70 multiple-choice questions (60 scored), 4 hours. Taken by computer-based test or live remote proctoring. |
| Fees | Application $125, exam $375, re-exam $275 |
| Renewal | Every 3 years: 30 hours of continuing education and a letter from your employer. The fee is $390. |
NABCEP says the certification does not replace state license rules. Read the handbook before you apply, because fees and rules can change. For more on NABCEP paths, see our NABCEP certification guide.
Which Design Tools Should You Learn?
Most designers use three kinds of tools. A design platform covers roof modeling, layout, shade and yield. A CAD program such as AutoCAD covers custom drawings. A spreadsheet covers quick checks and parts lists.
SurgePV supports 3D roof modeling, array layout, shading analysis, energy-yield modeling, financial modeling, electrical workflow support, bill-of-materials output and proposal generation. You can see these in a guided demo on a sample project. Read more about solar design software.
See a design tool on a sample project
Walk through a project from roof model to proposal with a SurgePV specialist.
Book a Free DemoNot ready for a call? Read the SurgePV pricing page
How Do You Build a Solar Design Portfolio?
A portfolio shows what you can do. Include these items:
- 5 to 10 complete designs. For each one, show the roof layout, shade result, string setup, wiring diagram and the expected yield.
- At least one hard project. Pick a roof with several angles, heavy shade, or a battery.
- Clean documents. Use clear PDFs with labeled plans and readable diagrams.
- A short note per project. Explain why you chose the layout and the inverter.
You can design for your own home, a family member’s home, or a public building. Use the roof and the utility bill, and say it is a practice project.
Pro Tip
Make one portfolio design fail on purpose and fix it. For example, show a string that drops below the inverter’s minimum voltage on a hot day, then show the corrected string length. Reviewers see that you can catch the error, not only draw the layout.
Which Mistakes Do New Designers Make?
- Checking only the maximum string voltage. A string can also fall below the inverter’s minimum voltage on a hot day and stop producing.
- Using nameplate output. Module ratings are measured at Standard Test Conditions (STC). Real roofs are hotter, so use a proper yield model. See solar design principles for installers.
- An SLD that does not match the layout. Update it every time the layout changes.
- Packing a roof edge to edge. Satellite images have measurement error. Check measurements and leave room for setbacks and access. Your local AHJ sets the setback rules.
- Skipping the AC side. Check the wire and breaker sizes from the inverter to the grid connection too. Our solar string design mistakes guide covers more errors.
Should You Freelance or Work for a Company?
A job gives you mentors, review of your work, and steady income. Freelance work gives you choice of clients and flexible hours. It also means you find clients, send invoices and handle taxes. Many people start in a job, learn the work, and freelance later. We do not quote freelance rates, because we have no dated source.
For more on training and career steps, visit our Become a Solar Designer hub, or book a SurgePV demo to see a full design workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do you need to become a solar designer?
No single qualification is required by law. Employers often look for electrical or technical knowledge, skill in a design tool, and sample designs. NABCEP’s optional PV Design Specialist certification asks for 24 hours of design training and designs worth 12 project credits. It does not list a degree.
How much does a solar designer earn?
US government data has no “solar designer” line. In May 2025, the median pay was $76,870 for electrical and electronics drafters, $53,140 for solar PV installers and $120,630 for electrical engineers (BLS). Pay in other countries differs.
How long does it take to become a solar designer?
It depends on your background, and we have no sourced average. For the NABCEP PV Design Specialist, you need 24 hours of design training and designs finished in the 2 calendar years before you apply.
What is the difference between a solar designer and a solar engineer?
The titles overlap. A designer usually plans the layout, the wiring and the permit package. An engineer may take on more studies and sign-offs. Your local permit office sets what must be signed by a licensed engineer.
Is the NABCEP PV Design Specialist certification worth it?
It is optional. It shows you met NABCEP’s training, design experience and exam rules. It costs $125 to apply and $375 for the exam. Check whether the employers you want ask for it.
What solar design software should I learn first?
Pick one tool that covers roof modeling, layout, shade and yield, and learn it well. Your future employer’s tool matters most, so ask which one it uses. SurgePV is one option, shown in a guided demo.
Can I become a solar designer without an engineering degree?
Yes. NABCEP’s PV Design Specialist rules ask for safety training, design training and design projects, not a degree. Many designers come from trades or courses.
Where this fits
This article is part of SurgePV's Solar Careers hub, which works through the topic from first principles to the decisions a project team actually has to make.
