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Solar Energy Courses › Solar Structure Design for Engineers
SOLAR ENERGY · ADVANCED

Solar Structure Design for Engineers

A 3-month hybrid program in mounting-structure, foundation and steel design for the solar industry — built for engineers who want a specialised, hireable skill, and for EPC owners who want that competence in-house.

3,000+Alumni Trained
15+Years of Excellence
200+Hiring Partners
UGCAffiliated Institute
Why It Matters

Structural mistakes are the most expensive mistakes in solar

Wind uplift, foundation settlement, corrosion and connection fatigue don't show up as a design flaw on day one — they show up as a warranty claim, a collapsed array, or a re-engineering bill years into a plant's life. Getting the mounting structure and foundation right the first time is one of the highest-leverage skills in a solar project, on both the rooftop and ground-mount side.

That's true whether you're the engineer doing the calculations or the EPC owner signing off on them. This course sits alongside our broader Solar Energy course catalog as the dedicated structural-design specialisation — and it matters just as much for hybrid solar-plus-storage sites, where the mounting structure has to account for battery enclosure loads too. If that's your project type, our Battery Systems courses cover the storage side in depth.

Common costly failure modes: wind-uplift on ground-mount arrays, under-designed pile foundations in soft soil, corrosion at bolted connections, and fatigue at tracker pivot points.
Who This Course Is For

Built for two audiences, on purpose

Engineers & Technicians
  • Mechanical, civil or electrical engineers who want a specialised, hireable skill beyond general solar training
  • Diploma holders and fresh graduates entering solar EPC design roles
  • Working engineers pivoting from construction or manufacturing into renewable energy
EPC Owners & Solar Entrepreneurs
  • Building in-house structural design competence instead of relying entirely on third-party consultants
  • Reducing project risk and margin loss from structural rework or warranty claims
  • Understanding enough of the engineering to evaluate a design review, even without doing the calculations yourself
Try It

Which structure type fits your site?

Pick a site condition — the course covers the design approach for all three.

Rooftop
Ground-Mount
Carport / Canopy

Roof-Mount Structure

Lightweight tilt frames anchored to the existing roof structure — load path and point-loading on the building are the main design drivers.

  • Primary steel type: cold-formed steel tilt frames
  • Key syllabus modules: Steel Design, Structural Load Calculations, Solar Structure Types
Enroll in the Course →

Ground-Mount Structure

Independent foundations, piles or ballast blocks carrying the full wind and dead load of the array — foundation design and geotechnical conditions drive the engineering here.

  • Primary steel type: cold-formed steel racking on driven piles or spread footings
  • Key syllabus modules: Foundation Design, Wind Engineering, Structural Load Calculations
Enroll in the Course →

Carport / Canopy Structure

Taller clearance, larger spans and often the heaviest wind loading of the three — frequently paired with EV charging underneath, which adds cabling and conduit routing to the structural plan.

  • Primary steel type: hot-rolled steel columns and beams, cold-formed purlins
  • Key syllabus modules: Steel Design, Wind Engineering, Foundation Design
Enroll in the Course →
Curriculum

10 modules, structured field-to-frame

MODULE 01
Introduction to Solar Structures
Where structural design fits into overall plant planning and delivery.
MODULE 02
Engineering Drawing
Reading and producing structural drawings used on real EPC projects.
MODULE 03
Strength of Materials
Core mechanics that underpin every load and member-sizing calculation later in the course.
MODULE 04
Steel Design
Hot-rolled steel member design and bolted/welded connection design.
MODULE 05
Material Science
Steel and material properties, durability and corrosion behaviour.
MODULE 06
Wind Engineering
Wind loading — the dominant load case for almost every solar structure.
MODULE 07
Structural Load Calculations
Combined load analysis and member sizing from first principles.
MODULE 08
Foundation Design
Footings, mounting-structure foundations and retaining wall design.
MODULE 09
Solar Structure Types
Ground-mount (cold-formed steel) versus roof-mount design approaches.
MODULE 10
Tracker Systems
Single and dual-axis tracker mounting structure design.
Applied capstone project: Bill of Quantity (BOQ) & Bill of Material (BOM) preparation, plus industrial guidance sessions on real project development — applying Modules 1–10 to a full structural design package. [Placement to be confirmed against current delivery schedule.]
Career Outcomes

What this unlocks

🏗️

Structural Design Engineer

Design and sign off mounting structures and foundations for solar EPC projects.

📐

Solar EPC Design Engineer

Own the structural package end-to-end alongside electrical and civil teams.

🧱

Civil/Mechanical Design Lead

Lead structural review and QA across multiple concurrent solar projects.

For EPC owners, this competence also reduces dependence on third-party structural consultants on every job. And if your projects extend into EV charging canopies or carports, the same structural fundamentals carry over — worth pairing with our EV Systems courses if that's part of your roadmap.

Format & Eligibility

How the program runs

Duration3 months, hybrid (classroom + hands-on practical)
LocationMumbai / Navi Mumbai / Thane
Cohort size10 seats per batch
EligibilityBE/B.Tech/Diploma engineers preferred. BSc Physics & Maths graduates also eligible. Strong communication skills expected.
Solar Energy Courses

Ready to specialise in structural design?

Small cohorts, hands-on practical sessions in Mumbai/Navi Mumbai/Thane, and a curriculum built around what solar EPC projects actually need.

3MONTHS
10SEATS / COHORT
10MODULES
Enroll in the Course →
Explore Related Courses

Build the rest of the stack

FAQ

Common questions

Can EPC business owners take this course without an engineering background?+
Yes. The course is designed for a balanced audience — engineers who need the calculations, and EPC owners/entrepreneurs who need to understand and evaluate structural design decisions without necessarily performing them personally.
Is the program fully online or in-person?+
It's hybrid: theory modules are delivered online, with hands-on practical sessions held in person around Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane.
How is this different from a general solar course?+
General solar courses cover system design, installation and O&M broadly. This course goes deep on one specialisation — mounting structure, foundation and steel design — across 10 dedicated modules.
What does the course cost and how do I enroll?+
Fees and cohort dates are shared directly with shortlisted candidates. Please apply through our inquiry form and our team will get in touch with current details.
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Specialise in the skill that protects every solar project

10 seats per cohort. Hybrid delivery in Mumbai / Navi Mumbai / Thane.

Enquire Now →
Solar Energy Courses · Advanced Level

Solar Structure Design Course for Engineers & Technicians

Build the systems-design foundation solar EPC firms hire for — from electrical fundamentals and PV component selection through to full system sizing and installation practice. A 3-month, 51-lecture program for engineers entering the solar industry and contractors who want in-house design capability for their own projects.

3,000+ Alumni Trained
15+ Years
200+ Hiring Partners
UGC Affiliated

Course Overview

Solar structure design sits at the intersection of electrical fundamentals and physical systems engineering — understanding not just how a solar plant generates power, but how it's planned, sized, and physically put together so it performs reliably for 25 years. This course starts with the foundations every solar professional needs (renewable energy concepts, electrical basics, solar radiation, PV components) and builds toward applied systems design: component selection, system sizing, installation practice, and commissioning.

It's built for two kinds of learners: engineers and diploma holders who want a structured route into solar design roles at EPC and design firms, and electrical contractors or aspiring entrepreneurs who want the technical grounding to specify and sign off on their own installations rather than depending entirely on outside consultants.

See all Solar Energy courses at IISE →

Course at a Glance

3 Months
Duration
Advanced
Level
51 Lectures
~200 mins video
Certificate
On completion

What You'll Learn

✓ Renewable energy fundamentals and solar's role in India's energy mix

✓ Core electrical concepts — AC/DC power, circuits, and unit consumption — that underpin every design decision

✓ Reading and applying solar radiation data (irradiance, orientation, sun path) to site planning

✓ Evaluating PV cell and module specifications and performance parameters

✓ Selecting and sizing charge controllers, inverters, and battery banks

✓ Conducting site audits and reading electricity bills to scope a project

✓ A module-by-module roadmap into applied systems design — balance-of-systems, installation practice, sizing, and commissioning Curriculum roadmap

Curriculum

25 modules across two stages: foundational modules (1–10) with 51 recorded lectures, followed by an applied systems-design roadmap (11–25) covering component selection through installation and commissioning.

1Introduction to Renewable Energy
  • Overview of renewable energy sources
  • Solar energy's role in India's power mix
  • Policy and market context
  • Career pathways in solar
  • Industry landscape overview
  • Types of solar applications
  • On-grid vs off-grid vs hybrid systems
  • Global solar trends
  • Environmental impact basics
  • Module recap
2Basics of Electricity
  • AC vs DC fundamentals
  • Voltage, current, and resistance
  • Power and energy units
  • Series vs parallel circuits
  • Reading electrical ratings
  • Safety fundamentals
3Solar Radiation
  • Understanding irradiance
  • Sun path and orientation
  • Tilt angle basics
  • Shading impact
  • Site assessment for radiation
4Solar Cells
  • PV cell technologies
  • Cell efficiency parameters
  • Monocrystalline vs polycrystalline
  • Emerging cell technologies
5Solar PV Modules
  • Module construction and ratings
  • Module specification sheets
  • Degradation and warranties
  • Module selection criteria
6Charge Controllers
  • PWM vs MPPT controllers
  • Sizing a charge controller
  • Controller specifications
  • Common configurations
  • Troubleshooting basics
7Inverters
  • String vs central vs micro inverters
  • Inverter sizing basics
  • Grid-tie vs off-grid inverters
  • Efficiency and specifications
  • Selection criteria
8Solar Batteries
  • Battery chemistries in solar
  • Capacity and depth-of-discharge
  • Battery bank sizing
  • Battery management basics
  • Safety and maintenance
  • Lithium-ion vs lead-acid
  • Hybrid system integration
  • Battery lifecycle considerations
  • Storage cost factors
  • Module recap
9Site Audit
  • Conducting a site assessment
10Electricity Bill Audit
  • Reading and analyzing electricity bills
11Balance of Systems Components

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

12Safety in Installation

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

13Solar PV Systems Design and Integration

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

14PV Battery System Design

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

15PV Controller System Design

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

16PV Inverter System Design

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

17Photovoltaic System Sizing

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

18Solar PV Plant Installation Checklist

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

19Installation of Solar PV Power Plants

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

20Plant Operation and Maintenance

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

21Troubleshooting of Solar PV Power Plants

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

22Net Metering: Reforms and Procedures

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

23The Solar Market

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

24Techno-Commercial Proposal

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

25Central and State Government Norms and Incentives

Part of your applied systems-design curriculum roadmap. Detailed lesson content for this module is being finalized — check your course dashboard for the latest availability.

Applied & Practical Focus

Beyond the recorded lectures, the applied stage of this course is built around practical exercises: system sizing worksheets, installation checklist walkthroughs, and techno-commercial proposal practice — the same tasks a design engineer or EPC contractor handles on a real project.

For entrepreneurs: the techno-commercial proposal and government-norms modules are particularly relevant if you're aiming to quote, permit, and deliver installations under your own business.

Related Learning Paths

Structural and systems-design skills extend naturally into adjacent parts of the clean energy industry.

Go Deeper on Battery Systems

Module 8 of this course covers solar battery fundamentals. If you want to go further into BESS design, sizing, and hybrid-plant integration, explore our dedicated Battery Systems courses.

Explore Battery Systems Courses

Branch Into EV Infrastructure

Engineers building solar systems-design skills are well positioned for adjacent EV infrastructure work — from charging-canopy structural design to depot electrification. See our EV Systems courses to explore that path.

Explore EV Systems Courses

Why IISE

3,000+
Alumni Trained
15+
Years
200+
Hiring Partners
UGC
Affiliated

Placement Support

Graduates get access to IISE's placement assistance program and hiring-partner network of 200+ companies across solar EPC, design, and O&M. VERIFY exact placement assistance terms for this specific course before publishing.

Ask About Placement Support

Who Can Apply

Career Track

Engineering students and graduates (civil, electrical, or mechanical), diploma holders, and working professionals in construction or electrical trades looking to move into solar design roles. VERIFY exact minimum qualification criteria.

Entrepreneur Track

Electrical contractors, EPC business owners, and aspiring solar entrepreneurs who want in-house design capability rather than depending entirely on outside consultants. Engineers pursuing adjacent EV infrastructure roles may also find the systems-design grounding useful — see EV Systems courses for that path.

Certification

Receive a certificate of completion from IISE on finishing the course. VERIFY exact certificate name and any additional accreditation wording specific to this course before publishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this course for?

Engineers, diploma holders, and working professionals aiming for solar design roles, as well as electrical contractors and entrepreneurs who want the technical grounding to specify and run their own solar installations.

Do I need an engineering degree to join?

The course is pitched at Advanced level. VERIFY exact eligibility/prerequisite requirements before publishing.

How long is the course and how is it delivered?

3 months, with 51 recorded lectures (~200 minutes of video) plus an applied systems-design curriculum roadmap, so you can learn at your own pace.

What will I be able to do after completing this course?

You'll move from renewable energy and electrical fundamentals through PV component selection to an applied roadmap covering system sizing, installation, and commissioning practice.

Is placement assistance included?

Graduates get access to IISE's placement assistance program and 200+ hiring partner network. VERIFY exact terms for this course.

How much does the course cost?

Fees and any current scholarships are best confirmed directly — fill out the course inquiry form and our team will get back to you.

How does this connect to battery storage or EV careers?

Module 8 covers solar battery fundamentals, which connects directly into our Battery Systems courses. Systems-design skills also transfer well into EV infrastructure work like charging-canopy design. You can also browse our Battery & Storage and Electric Vehicles articles for more context.

What Our Alumni Say VERIFY

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Ready to Design Solar Systems That Last?

Get the full syllabus, fee details, and next batch information.

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