Solar Engineer Internships

Solar engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working alongside working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings from {{top_industries_phrase}} are listed here, with Legence, GPD, and CMTA Consulting Engineers among the employers posting roles now.

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Overview

Open roles8
Top stateVirginia
Top employerLegence
Top cityFairfax, VA
Companies hiring5

Showing 5 of 8+ Solar Engineer Internships

Solar Field Engineer Intern 1
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Added 1mo ago
Solar Field Engineer Intern 1
PCL Construction
Oregon
Construction
Construction Management
Skilled Trades
$18 - $24/hr
1,001-5,000

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Internship, Solar Hardware Engineer, PV Cell, Energy Engineering (Winter/Spring 2027)
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Internship, Solar Hardware Engineer, PV Cell, Energy Engineering (Winter/Spring 2027)
Tesla
Palo Alto, California
Business Analysis
Product Management
Project Management
$20 - $50/hr
10,000+

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Solar PV Electrical Engineer Co-op
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Added 1mo ago
Solar PV Electrical Engineer Co-op
GPD Group
Columbus, Ohio
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering

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Solar PV Electrical Engineer Co-op
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Added 1mo ago
Solar PV Electrical Engineer Co-op
GPD Group
Akron, Ohio
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering

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Solar Engineer Intern/Co-op Spring 2027 - Energy Solutions
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Added 2mo ago
Solar Engineer Intern/Co-op Spring 2027 - Energy Solutions
Legence
Fairfax, Virginia
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
1,001-5,000

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Solar Engineer Internship Market

Who's Hiring

Legence2 open roles
GPD2 open roles
CMTA Consulting Engineers2 open roles

Tips for Your Solar Engineer Internship Search

Apply earlier than you think necessary

Large utilities, solar developers, and EPC firms recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts by November or December. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Check listings in September and again in January to catch both recruiting windows.

Build a project portfolio before you apply

Intern hiring teams for solar engineering roles expect limited work history, so a portfolio of completed projects carries more weight than an empty experience section. Document two or three projects using tools like PVsyst, AutoCAD, or MATLAB, note the problem you solved, and make the work viewable, whether through a design file, a GitHub repository, or a published analysis.

Work your campus network alongside direct applications

Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied directly to your university, and your professors and career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time, since many solar engineering internships never appear at campus events at all.

Practice your technical screen out loud

Solar engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering energy systems fundamentals, circuit analysis, or basic solar resource calculations. Practice solving problems aloud and explaining your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you think through an unfamiliar problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.

Solar Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a solar engineer internship?

Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For solar engineer candidates, a portfolio showing completed system design exercises, energy modeling outputs, or CAD drawings gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.

Can a solar engineer internship turn into a full-time job?

Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest before the return-offer decision. Position yourself by treating every deliverable seriously without counting on the offer until it's made.

When should I apply for solar engineer internships?

Earlier than most students expect. Large employers, including utilities and major developers, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before spring semester starts. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly through fall and winter gives you the widest window.

Are solar engineer internships paid?

Most professional solar engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry segment, and location, so listings show what the employer discloses where available. Nonprofit and research-institution roles occasionally offer stipends rather than hourly wages, so read each listing's compensation details before applying.

What should a solar engineer internship resume include?

Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects with the specific tools used, such as PVsyst, AutoCAD, or MATLAB, and link to the work where possible, whether a design portfolio, a published analysis, or a GitHub repository. Add relevant coursework in energy systems, electrical circuits, or thermodynamics, and keep the whole document to one page.

Can international students get solar engineer internships?

Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.

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