Jobs › Architecture and Engineering
AI exposure report
Will AI replace Solar Energy Systems Engineers?
Some of your tasks will be automated. People who use AI will have the edge.
Task exposure to today's AI
Moderate exposure
This is the occupation's typical task mix. Your own score can be up to 30 points higher or lower depending on how you work: routine share, people contact, judgment and how much you already use AI.
Get your personal scoreWill AI replace Solar Energy Systems Engineers?
Not entirely. Today's AI tools can take on about 44% of the typical work in this occupation, mostly: develop design specifications and functional requirements for residential, commercial, or industrial solar energy systems or components. The parts that stay human include: Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.; Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.; Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring..
People who learn to use AI for the automatable parts keep the edge. The 3-phase plan below shows where to start.
Which tasks AI can take on
The largest tasks in this occupation, their share of the working week, and how much of each today's AI tools can do.
+ 7 more tasks (24% of the week) in the full test.
Your human edge
- Design or coordinate design of photovoltaic (PV) or solar thermal systems, including system components, for residential and commercial buildings.
- Conduct engineering site audits to collect structural, electrical, and related site information for use in the design of residential or commercial solar power systems.
- Provide technical direction or support to installation teams during installation, start-up, testing, system commissioning, or performance monitoring.
AI tools to try
ChatGPT / Claude for calculations, specs and reportsAI features in CAD/BIM toolsCopilot for scripts (Python, MATLAB, Dynamo)Related roles
A 3-phase AI learning plan
Phase 1
AI for documentation
- Specifications, reports and change notes drafted with AI.
- Standards and regulations searched with AI, checked in the source.
- Meeting notes and RFIs summarised.
Project
Draft a full permit submittal package for one recent 200 kW commercial PV job with AI — spec sheets, equipment schedules and NEC code citations verified in the source — and log hours saved versus your last package.Phase 2
AI in design work
- Scripts and parametric design written with AI help.
- Option studies and quick estimates with AI as a sparring partner.
- Check AI outputs against calculations and codes.
Project
Use AI to write a Python script that pulls PVsyst or SAM outputs into a tilt/azimuth/string-sizing option study for three roof layouts, then hand-check the top option's voltage drop and Voc limits.Phase 3
Engineering + AI
- Data from sensors, tests or simulations analysed with AI.
- Define where AI is not allowed (safety-critical sign-off).
- Share methods and templates with your team.
Project
Analyse 3 months of inverter and irradiance monitoring data with AI to flag underperforming strings, then publish a one-page team template listing which steps AI may do and which require stamped engineer sign-off.