Here at Harvest Green Developments, we have the privilege of working with people who want to shape the future of renewable energy. We feel privileged to inspire young people who are drawn to the rapid growth of clean energy and the career opportunities it presents. For those curious about different job opportunities within the renewable sector, today we are sharing how becoming a solar designer can offer one of many paths into the industry.
Solar designers play a central role in every commercial project we deliver. Their work transforms raw data into safe, efficient and technically robust systems that will power businesses for decades. If you are exploring a new career, retraining or entering the workforce for the first time, becoming a solar designer provides a future-proof route that combines creativity, problem-solving, mathematics, as well as environmental purpose. Although our business’s focus is purely on commercial installations, designers across the wider industry may also support residential projects depending on the services their organisation provides. Many of the fundamentals remain the same, and the breadth of opportunity in this field continues to expand as the sector grows.
What are the responsibilities of a solar designer?
Becoming a solar designer means stepping into a role that helps shape every project from the proposal stage through to the final installation and project completion. Designers work closely with our technical, electrical and health and safety teams to ensure that each layout meets the highest standards of performance, compliance and safety.
Design responsibilities span a wide range of project types, including:
• Commercial rooftop systems
• Ground mount solar arrays
• Battery energy storage system designs
• Hybrid solar and storage solutions
A designer will typically:
• Analyse site surveys, digital models and geospatial data
• Create both prospective and detailed layouts for rooftop and ground mount systems
• Assess shading, irradiance and system performance
• Size strings, battery components and electrical infrastructure
• Consider all relevant health and safety requirements
• Collaborate with engineers to confirm technical capacity and compliance
• Prepare designs for proposals, planning, installations and contractors on site
Every design undergoes multiple drafts as insights develop and project details evolve. Once the installation is complete, a final drawing is produced that reflects the exact system delivered on–site, known as an “as-built”. This process ensures accuracy and long-term accountability once a system is handed over to a client.
Why becoming a solar designer is a fantastic career choice
Commercial solar and battery installations demand is exponentially expanding as businesses look for ways to reduce energy costs and move closer to net zero. This makes becoming a solar designer a highly skilled career with future-focused career paths in the sector, especially as demand increases.
This role attracts people from a wide range of backgrounds. Some join with engineering or construction knowledge, while others arrive with design or technology skills. Many begin as career changers seeking a profession that aligns with sustainability. What unites all talent in this job role is a shared interest in how energy systems work and a desire to build a cleaner future. Solar design also offers flexibility, progression and opportunities to specialise as your knowledge and confidence grow. Whether you wish to focus on large commercial systems, complex ground mount designs or advanced battery integration, the career pathways are broad and rewarding and will continue to expand as the industry continues to evolve.
Skills you will develop
Becoming a solar designer does not require every skill from day one, and as a job role provides plenty of learning opportunities. With guidance from experienced colleagues and time spent refining your craft, you will progress and learn a range of skills such as:
Technical Skills
• Understanding commercial roof structures and ground conditions
• Knowledge of shading, irradiance and performance modelling
• Familiarity with electrical concepts such as voltage, current and string sizing
• Ability to use CAD and dedicated design software
• Awareness of battery system integration
• Health and safety expertise to ensure due diligence and compliance in every design
• Knowledge of technical specifications such as mounting kits, panel types and inverters to allow your designs to be fully optimised for performance
Soft Skills
• Consistency and attention to detail
• Collaborative communication across all internal and external teams
• Ownership of workflow responsibilities, such as timelines and revisions
• Ability to present clear reasoning behind design decisions and provide feedback where necessary
• Curiosity and a willingness to learn from live installations and evolving technology
Design Tools You Will Use
As a solar designer, you will work with a combination of industry-standard tools and specialist renewable energy platforms to bring your designs to life. These support accurate modelling of commercial rooftops, ground conditions and electrical behaviour.
Typical tools include:
• SolarEdge Designer for structural modelling
• AutoCAD for technical layouts
• PVsyst for irradiation analysis and performance simulation
• Other software that supports shading assessment, battery modelling and layout validation, such as Orkestra
How to begin learning
There are several ways to start your journey toward becoming a solar designer, and many do not require academic qualifications.
Online learning
Look for courses that include hands-on tasks or practical projects to help build your foundation knowledge and understand if this is a job role that interests you. This also shows potential employers that, whilst you do not have the workplace experience, you are proactive with learning and development and have a keen interest in applying this passion as a solar designer. Platforms such as Coursera and Udemy offer introductory courses covering:
• Solar PV fundamentals
• Electrical basics
• CAD and modelling techniques
• Design methodologies
Structured training or boot camps
Some learners prefer structured training delivered by renewable energy academies or technical bootcamps. These focus on design exercises, industry software and real project scenarios. Both routes are valuable. What matters most is consistent learning and exposure to real system examples.
Career progression in solar design
Becoming a solar designer opens the door to a broad career pathway within commercial renewable energy. Every company, as with every type of role, will structure progression differently depending on the company’s structure and size. Typical progression could look as below:
• Junior Designer supporting layout creation and documentation
• PV Designer independently managing commercial designs
• Senior Designer leading complex rooftop, ground mount and battery projects
• Solar Engineer specialising in technical analysis and compliance
• Technical Manager guiding design strategy, processes and mentorship
• Design Manager manages a team of developing designers and managing workflows
Why this path attracts new talent
The most rewarding part of becoming a solar designer is seeing your work installed on commercial sites. Every project improves energy resilience for businesses, reduces carbon emissions and supports the wider transition to clean energy. Designers play a vital role throughout this journey, from early planning and proposals to final electrical sign-off. The experience gained from each installation contributes to your technical intuition and strengthens your future opportunities.
Is becoming a solar designer for you?
If you are exploring a new direction, retraining or beginning your professional journey, becoming a solar designer offers a fantastic way to contribute to a fast-growing sector. This career combines innovation and problem-solving with opportunities for long-term development. At every stage of the design process, you will help create systems that support business resilience and environmental responsibility. Commercial solar, ground mount projects and battery systems all depend on skilled designers who take pride in accuracy and collaboration.
If you are ready to begin, focus on learning, stay curious and embrace every opportunity to understand how systems perform from planning to execution. You will be building a career that shapes the future of clean energy and advances your own professional growth.
