Solar PV System Designer
Salary: $40,000.00 to $50,000.00/a year
About the Role
Polaron Energy Corp. is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Solar PV System Designer to join the Commercial department, supporting the design, planning, coordination, and delivery of commercial and industrial (C&I) solar PV projects.
This junior-to-intermediate role suits candidates with an engineering or technical background who want to build a career in solar and renewable energy. The successful candidate will work closely with project managers, engineers, sales teams, customers, subcontractors, equipment suppliers, local distribution companies (LDCs), and other external stakeholders across the project lifecycle.
The role combines technical solar design, LDC support, and construction-related technical assistance. Training and guidance will be provided, with the expectation that the successful candidate progressively takes ownership of assigned projects.
Key Responsibilities
1. Solar PV System Design & Engineering
Assist with feasibility studies and preliminary system assessments for C&I solar PV projects.
Develop solar PV system layouts based on site conditions, photos, architectural drawings, customer requirements, electrical infrastructure, and project constraints.
Prepare and maintain design drawings using AutoCAD and other design software, including:
PV module layouts
Equipment layouts
Single-line diagrams (SLDs)
Conduit and cable routing
Equipment connection details
Other drawings required for permitting, engineering, utility applications, and construction
Assist with equipment selection and system sizing, including PV modules, inverters, transformers, switchgear, disconnects, electrical distribution equipment, and related balance-of-system components.
Assist with basic electrical calculations, equipment ratings, cable sizing, voltage drop, and other design calculations under the guidance of senior designers and engineers.
Prepare system specifications, equipment schedules, design packages, and supporting technical documentation.
Coordinate with structural and electrical engineers to incorporate engineering requirements and comments into project drawings.
Revise designs based on customer comments, engineering reviews, and permitting authority and utility requirements.
Provide technical support to project management, sales, procurement, and construction teams throughout the project lifecycle.
Maintain awareness of emerging solar technologies, inverter systems, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and grid interconnection requirements.
2. Commercial Project Planning & Coordination
Review project proposals, contracts, scopes of work, change orders, customer requirements, and other project documentation to understand scope, responsibilities, deliverables, and technical requirements.
Coordinate with customers, sales teams, project managers, engineers, subcontractors, suppliers, and installation teams to ensure design requirements are clearly communicated.
Track design activities and outstanding technical items to support project schedules.
Identify potential design conflicts, constructability issues, missing information, and project risks, and communicate them to the appropriate project team members.
Assist project managers with technical documentation, material requirements, procurement information, and construction coordination.
Support multiple commercial solar projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks based on project schedules and business requirements.
3. Permitting, Code Compliance & Utility Interconnection
Coordinate with electrical and structural engineers to ensure designs meet applicable building codes, electrical safety codes, engineering standards, and Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) requirements.
Support applications and technical submissions to Local Distribution Companies (LDCs) and other utilities.
Assist with the preparation and review of utility interconnection documents, including single-line diagrams, equipment information, protection requirements, metering requirements, and supporting technical documentation.
Review and respond to technical comments from municipalities, utilities, engineers, and other reviewing authorities with guidance from senior team members.
Maintain organized records of submissions, approvals, drawings, and project correspondence.
4. Construction & Project Delivery Support
Provide technical support during procurement, installation, commissioning, and project closeout.
Review construction-related questions and Requests for Information (RFIs), and coordinate responses with engineers and project managers.
Update drawings based on approved design changes and field conditions.
Assist with preparation and review of as-built drawings and final project documentation.
Participate in site visits when required to verify existing conditions, installation progress, equipment locations, and design requirements.
Support troubleshooting and resolution of design-related issues during installation and commissioning.
Qualifications
Education
Bachelor's degree or diploma in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Renewable Energy, Mechanical Engineering, Building Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
New graduates and candidates with limited professional experience are encouraged to apply.
Technical Skills
Basic understanding of electrical systems and engineering principles.
Familiarity with solar PV system design is preferred.
Basic to intermediate proficiency with AutoCAD is preferred.
Experience with SketchUp, PVsyst, HelioScope, Aurora Solar, or similar solar design software is an asset.
Ability to read and understand electrical single-line diagrams, architectural drawings, structural drawings, and technical specifications is an asset.
Knowledge of commercial electrical distribution systems, including three-phase systems, transformers, switchgear, panels, disconnects, and metering, is an asset.
Familiarity with applicable electrical safety codes, building codes, solar PV standards, and utility interconnection requirements is an asset.
Experience or knowledge of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) is an asset.
Skills and Competencies
Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate technical work.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, and to reprioritize in response to changing project requirements and urgent requests.
Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
Self-motivated, with a willingness and ability to learn new technologies, codes, standards, and design practices.
Effective written and verbal communication skills; able to communicate professionally with customers, engineers, subcontractors, utilities, suppliers, and internal teams.
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary project team.
Comfortable working in a fast-paced, project-based environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Internship, co-op, academic, or professional experience involving commercial solar PV systems.
Experience with commercial and industrial electrical systems.
Experience preparing permit or construction drawing packages.
Familiarity with utility/LDC interconnection processes.
Knowledge of electrical and building requirements.
Experience coordinating with engineers, contractors, or utility companies.
Exposure to energy storage, EV charging, microgrids, or other distributed energy resources.
This position offers the opportunity to build practical experience across the full lifecycle of commercial solar projects — system design, engineering coordination, permitting, utility interconnection, procurement, construction, commissioning, and project management.
With experience, the Solar PV System Designer will take on greater ownership of project designs, coordinate increasingly complex commercial projects, and progress toward an Electrical Engineer, Project Engineer, or Project Manager role.
