How can students break into the field of Solar Energy Systems Engineering?

Hello Timothy, I hope you are well, you can get into solar photovoltaic by writing a letter to one of the local installation companies around the RI area and maybe try up around Boston, its a 2 hour drive there but you could try and find a company that may provide accommodation subsidy .

You'll be able to get on the job training at some companies

Sunwatt Solar Pawtucket RI

https://sunwatt.solar/

Newport Solar Newport RI

https://newportsolarri.com/

Boston Solar , Woburn MA01801

https://www.bostonsolar.us/residential-solar/

If you'd like a hand with applications please ask on here and I will do all that I can to help you

Be prepared for a boring answer. The way is to study engineering. Preferably to at least a batchelor's degree in a college. Basically, Solar Energy Systems Engineering requires you to be first an engineer. Electrical Engineering is a good platform. Mechanical Engineering is a good adjunct. As you progress through your studies in an accredited college, you'll be aware of projects that employ solar energy systems. But first you'll graduate and go onto some company or other project using solar. And you'll want to get some experience on that system. The reason is that a Systems Engineer is generally someone who understand the system end-to-end and, particularly these days, should understand Design Thinking. This is an approach to a problem that requires the engineer to not only understand the system but to understand the users and the users' needs from their point of view. Solar energy has many applications, and many of them are very different. This means that simply knowing your product or application is not enough. And if you can get good at understanding what SE is good for and how to make the best use of it, it'll get you success in the field far beyond just being able to get a solar panel to light a bulb. You'll make it really useful and make the customer happy.

There are many ways to do this. One thing is to find opportunities to design and build solar panels and solar grid designs. Look into Engineers for a Sustainable World, and GRID Alternatives.

If you are in an engineering program, look for classes that build on the technical side of energy creation, and transfer and storage.

If you are looking to find a program, consider going into Electrical Engineering or Mechanical Engineering with a Sustainability and Renewable focus.