How to Become a Renewable Energy Consultant: Salary, Courses & More

A respected and upcoming career with never-ending challenges. Here’s your guide on how to become a Renewable Energy Consultant by Rajesh Jain, a veteran in the field with 18+ years of experience.

how to become renewable-energy-consultant career path


1. Role of a Renewable Energy Consultant in India

A renewable energy consultant is a professional who works in the solar, wind, or thermal power industry. Moreover, they work with clients from different cities/countries, oversee the installation of products, and handle the team.

My aim role as a renewable energy consultant is to increase efficiency and reduce cost while mitigating environmental impact.

Renewable energy consultants certainly need to pose strong communication and presentation skills. They also need to have good networking skills for the growth of the business. Furthermore, we conduct technical reviews, maintain systems, and implement procedures to support energy efficiency solutions.

Contents: Jump to Section

 
1.1 Is Being a Renewable Energy Consultant a Good Career Option?
 
 
2.1 Courses Taken: Renewable Energy Consultancy Subjects
2.2 Entrance Exams
2.3 Academic Qualifications/ Options
2.4 License Required
2.5 Internship/ Work Experience Required
2.6 Cost of Tuition and Training
2.7 Competition & Scope in India for a Renewable Energy Consultant
2.8 General Age to Start Professional Career for Renewable Energy Consultants
2.9 Governing Bodies
 
3.1 Specializations/ Sub-Professions
3.2 Companies & Institutions that Employ Renewable Energy Consultants
3.3 Growth Prospects
3.4 Entrepreneurship Opportunities
3.5 What is the Salary of Renewable Energy Consultants in India?
 
4.1 Top Universities in India
4.2 Top Universities in World
4.3 Famous Personalities
4.4 Useful Links

1.2 Is Renewable Energy Consultancy a Good Career Option?

Yes.

First of all, this industry seen a boom in recent times, and will only continue to grow with increasing demand. Both the government and the public are becoming environmentally conscious and vouching for the usage of renewable energy so as to reduce carbon footprints. This means there will be more and more jobs in this career path.

renewable energy solar panel

Secondly, the career path of a renewable energy consultant is also personally rewarding. You contribute to the production of clean and new energy sources that reduce climate change. So this industry is highly respected by educated and knowledgeable people.

2. How to Become a Renewable Energy Consultant

2.1.1 Courses Taken at School

English, maths, science

To become a renewable energy consultant, aspirants should take up the science (non-medical) stream, and study PCM (physics, chemistry and maths) to qualify for the engineering exams.

Fluency in English is certainly a must in this field, as you need to have excellent communication skills.

2.1.2 Courses Taken in College

Here are some of the subjects you can study in college:

2.2 Entrance Exams

Depends on colleges.

Given below are the top entrance exams for engineering colleges across India:

  • JEE Main – Joint Entrance Examination – all India exam for admission to various technical undergraduate programs.
  • JEE Advanced – Joint Entrance Examination – for IIT’s
  • BITSAT – National-level entrance test conducted by BITS Pilani
  • COMEDK – Consortium of Medical Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka – For private colleges present throughout Karnataka.
  • KCET – Karnataka Common Entrance Test
  • GATE – The Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering
  • VITEEE – conducted by the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT)
  • MHTCET: Maharashtra Common Entrance Test (MHT CET)
renewable-energy-consultant-physical-demand-on-site-consultation-1

Engineering entrance exams are one of the most sought-after entrance exams in India. Therefore, the competition level to get a top rank in these exams is also high. Moreover, apart from the above entrances, every state conducts its own CETs.

2.3 Academic Qualification/ Degree Required

Engineering

To become a renewable energy consultant, a bachelor’s degree in engineering would be required. The stream of Environmental Engineering is ideal. A master’s degree can also be done but is optional. A profession in this field would commonly have the following degree:

  • Bachelor of Engineering (B.Tech. or B.E.)
  • B.Tech in Environmental Engineering
  • Master in Environmental Engineering
  • Degree in Environmental Management

A master’s degree isn’t necessary and is usually not a required credential. Although, earning one can increase your earning potential, allow you to advance your career and make you a more marketable candidate. Moreover, this would be a good option, especially if you wanted to pursue a teaching job in this field.

2.4 License Required

No.

To practise and become a renewable energy consultant, you don’t need a license.

2.5 Internship/ Work Experience Required

Yes.

You must intern in a renewable energy company to gain experience. For instance, you could do an energy management internship, renewable energy internship, intern under a renewable energy consultant, or energy analysis internship.

life-as-a-renewable-energy-consultant-client-meetings-teamwork

Moreover, if you plan to do a master’s degree, internship, or work experience is required. A lot of premier MBA institutes require work experience of at least two years for admission.

2.6 Cost of Tuition and Training

  • Public/Government Colleges – ₹ 1.5 to Lakhs
  • Private Colleges – ₹ 3.5 to 60 Lakhs
  • Overseas Colleges – ₹ 20 to 80 Lakhs

The fees in India would also depend upon how you acquire a seat in the college. It could be either through entrance exams or management quota. Similarly, fees overseas would depend on the country/state you chose to apply in as well as the college ranking.

2.7 Competition

Highly competitive

In India as well as abroad, the entrance exams are highly competitive. Especially in India, getting into the top engineering colleges can be very difficult and competitive. In other words, only the top ranks or great scores can help you secure a seat in the top colleges, which are the government colleges.

In the field, after graduation, it is a competitive field too. Since now, everyone prefers renewable energy in their homes, offices, etc. In addition to that, even the government is pushing towards the installation of the same. Hence, the demand for this field is high and will only continue to grow. So if you’re planning to become a renewable energy consultant, be prepared to face tough competition.

renewable energy consultant salary job description companies

2.8 General Age to Start Professional Career for Renewable Energy Consultant

23-24 years.

Starting a professional career as a renewable energy consultant would ideally be after you complete your under-graduation. However, you could start internships during college as well.

2.9 Governing Bodies

Yes.

MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) is the nodal Ministry of the Government of India for all matters relating to new and renewable energy. The broad aim of the Ministry is to develop and deploy new and renewable energy to supplement the energy requirements of the country.

3. Professional Opportunities/ Career Growth for Renewable Energy Consultants

3.1 Specializations/ Sub-Professions

If you share a passion for renewable energy, you’ll easily be able to turn that passion into a career. For instance, being a renewable energy consultant is a great option in itself. However, if renewable energy consultancy isn’t the right job for you, you could look into some of the sub-professions and specializations in the field.

renewable-energy-Specializations-Sub-Professions-sustainable-farming
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Sustainable Farming
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Contractor / Electrician

Moreover, a career in either of these fields would require the same qualifications as would be required in renewable energy consultancy.

3.2 Companies & Institutions that Employ Renewable Energy Consultants

Private firms, manufactures of renewable energy products

Renewable energy consultants usually work with private firms and manufacturers of renewable energy products. For example, the top firms in India that offer jobs to renewable energy consultants are Bosch, Adani Solar, TATA BP, Canadian Solar.

You would usually work in renewable energy or engineering consultancy. Furthermore, there are also jobs with maintenance contractors, offshore companies, and construction firms.

renewable energy consultant job description

3.3 Growth Prospects

Growth prospects are tremendous

A top growth prospect would be acquiring a stake in the company you work for. Moreover, you could become an independent renewable energy consultant and start your own company as an entrepreneur.

Growth prospects would depend on the following factors –

  • Expertise in end-to-end solutions. For example, designing systems, costing, procurement of raw material, supply chain management, vendor management, and installation.
  • Team management
  • After that, expertise in marketing and networking
  • Above all, experience in the renewable energy consultancy field.
  • Hard work, the ability to travel frequently, grabbing opportunities as they come, and achieving key targets are, obviously, important factors to become a successful renewable energy consultant.

3.4 Entrepreneurship Opportunities

Yes.

Professionals in this field with a couple of years of experience can go on to start their own companies. In addition to that, if your networking skills are good and grow over time, there are opportunities to expand your company.

renewable energy consultant physical demand on site consultation

Renewable energy consultants primarily work out of consulting offices. For instance, they offer technical advice and project management assistance. Therefore, you could open your own consulting office in the future.

3.5 Salary Range

Fresh graduates – ₹ 6-7 lacs per annum, and 5-10 years experience – ₹ 30 lacs per annum.

The average salary for a fresh graduate in this field would be around ₹ 6-7 lacs per annum. Although, the salary would depend on various factors. Like, academic qualifications, internships done during the time or work experience, and sometimes, the college you graduated from.

Although, for someone with 5-10 years of experience in the field, your salary could range from ₹ 30 lacs or more per annum. However, this would depend on the company you work for, your skills, and your immaculate resume.

renewable energy consultant salary


4. Further Resources

4.1 Top Universities in India

  • IIT Madras
  • IIT Delhi
  • National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli
  • IIT Kanpur
  • IIT Bombay
  • Vellore Institute of Technology
  • IIIT Hyderabad
  • BITS Pilani

IITs, NITS, and BITS are among the top engineering colleges in India. Other than these, government colleges are more competitive and higher ranking than private ones. For instance, there are nearly 4,200 engineering colleges in India that offer B.Tech courses. Out of these, nearly 2,100 colleges are private, nearly 450 are government and the rest are public-private colleges.

4.2 Top Universities in World

Studying in one of the top engineering universities can be a great start in order to become a renewable energy consultant. Although, it’s of course not the only option. It’s always a good start to have an idea about the best engineering universities.

However, you shouldn’t disregard other engineering schools just because they are not on the top 100 lists. Above all, choose what works best for you, and here, I give you the top universities in the world.

  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Stanford University
  • University of Cambridge
  • ETH Zurich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
  • University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
  • Imperial College London
  • Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU)
renewable-energy-top-universities-in-world-Stanford-University

You could visit the official websites of the respective universities to know more about the courses they offer in detail. Most importantly, explore all universities thoroughly before shortlisting your final ones.

4.3 Famous Personalities

Andrew Blakers, Sally Benson

4.4 Useful Links

Information on Environmental Engineering

This field isn’t brand new, but the demand for it has grown over the last few years. In addition, the government and other bodies have been pushing for the use of renewable energy.

use of renewable energy.

Moreover, going into this field would have you at an advantage. For instance, it is relatively new and expanding very quickly. If you work hard enough, you could not only become a renewable energy consultant, but also rise above the ranks, to a high position.

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Curated & Edited by Shreya Jain (CareerNuts Staff)

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