At Dalarna University, your studies will combine advanced solar engineering theory with practical training and close contact with researchers and industry partners. The curriculum spans everything from photovoltaic system design to energy storage and project management, giving you both technical depth and a broad understanding of how solar fits into the wider energy transition.
From a close-knit class to a worldwide networkt
Each year, around 30 students from across the world join the programme, creating a close-knit and international study environment. Erasmus students are also welcome, adding further perspectives to the group.
While you’ll benefit from small class sizes and personal contact with teachers, you’ll also become part of a much larger network of alumni who now work in the solar energy sector worldwide.
The Master’s Programme in Solar Energy Engineering is a 120-credit programme (two years) taught in English, beginning in late August at the start of the autumn semester.
Across both years, you will gain hands-on skills through project courses, simulation and measurement exercises, and your degree thesis. These experiences strengthen your ability to work independently, analyse complex systems, and collaborate with industry and research partners in the renewable energy field.
The courses balance theory, applied engineering, and research, with a focus on photovoltaic systems, solar thermal and hybrid systems, energy storage, and grid integration. You will also study the economics and management of solar energy projects, preparing you to design and evaluate systems that are technically, economically, and environmentally sound.
Programme Structure and Content
All courses are taught in English by international faculty staff.
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Year 1:
Electrical Storage Technology and Conversion Technology*, 5 credits
Energy Transition in Society*, 5 credits
Installation of PV Systems and Off-grid System Design*, 5 credits
Project Course 1 – Data Analysis for Solar Energy Systems*, 5 credits
Project Course 2 – Measurement Systems*, 5 credits
PV On-grid System Design*, 7.5 credits
PV Technology*, 5 credits
Solar Economics and PV Asset Management*, 7.5 credits
Solar Radiation and Solar Geometry*, 5 credits
Sustainable Heating System Design*, 5 credits
Sustainable Heating Technology*, 5 creditsYear 2:
Degree Thesis in Solar Energy Engineering*, 30 credits
Electrical Storage Systems and Services, 5 credits
Grid Integration of Renewable Power, 7.5 credits
Project Course 3 – Group Project and Communication*, 5 credits
Sustainability of Solar Energy Systems*, 5 credits
Urban Energy Systems, 7.5 credits*Courses required to meet the learning outcomes of the programme
Elective course:
Solar Engineering Internship, 7.5 or 15 credits (summer course)
Degree Awarded
Degree of Master of Science (120 Credits) in Solar Energy Engineering
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the Master’s Programme in Solar Energy Engineering is 300,000 SEK in total (75,000 SEK per semester).
Note: EU/EEA citizens are not required to pay tuition fees.
Tuition fees are paid in two 75,000 SEK instalments each academic year. The first payment should be made as soon as possible after you receive your invoice and no later than the deadline on the invoice. This allows reasonable processing time for a residence permit application.
For details about what is included in the tuition fee, visit our Tuition Fees webpage. If you have questions, please contact support@du.se.
Scholarships
Students admitted to the Master’s Programme in Solar Energy Engineering may be eligible for scholarships offered by Dalarna University.
Choose Dalarna First Scholarship
If you apply on time and are admitted to this programme as your first choice on UniversityAdmissions.se, you are eligible for a one-time scholarship of 5,000 SEK. This amount is deducted from your first-semester tuition fee, provided you also apply for the scholarship no later than 15 February (autumn intake).
Academic Excellence Scholarship
Students in the Solar Energy Engineering programme can also qualify for the Academic Excellence Scholarship, which recognises outstanding academic achievement during the programme.
- Semester Award: Receive 15,000 SEK per semester when you meet the criteria for outstanding academic results.
- Programme Distinction: An additional 30,000 SEK may be awarded if you receive the Semester Award in every semester of the programme.
To qualify for the Semester Award, you must:
- Complete all 30 credits that are part of the programme curriculum for that semester.
- Earn at least 15 credits with a VG (pass with distinction).
- Have all course results reported within six weeks after the semester ends.
The Semester Award is evaluated independently for each semester — you may receive it for one semester even if you do not qualify in the other.
For full eligibility details and how to apply, visit our scholarships overview webpage.
Swedish Institute Scholarships (SISGP)
A limited number of students from select countries may be eligible to apply for the Swedish Institute Scholarships for Global Professionals (SISGP), a national scholarship programme managed by the Swedish Institute. This scholarship is highly competitive and awarded independently of Dalarna University.
Should you apply?
If you want advanced training in photovoltaic technology and solar energy systems—and you have a background in mechanical or electrical engineering or applied physics—this programme is a strong fit. You’ll develop skills in system design, simulation and measurement, energy storage, and grid integration, preparing you for roles in industry or for research and doctoral studies.
How to apply
You apply to the Master’s Programme in Solar Energy Engineering in two steps:
- Click the green Apply button to add the programme add the programme to your user account at UniversityAdmissions.se.
- Upload the required documents to show that you meet the entry requirements below. (Most applicants can upload documents directly to their account.)
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
To be eligible for the Master’s Programme in Solar Energy Engineering, you need:
- A completed Bachelor’s degree (at least 180 credits ECTS or equivalent) in engineering (e.g., mechanical, electrical, energy) or engineering physics, or another closely related field.
Applicants in the final year of their Bachelor’s programme are welcome to apply; proof of completed degree will be required before programme start. See final-year studies documentation.
English language requirements
You must also demonstrate English language proficiency. You should check the UniversityAdmissions.se information about English language proficiency to see if your previous studies fulfill this requirement. If you need to take an IELTS or TOEFL, the following minimum results are required:
- IELTS (Academic): 6.5 overall, with no part below 5.5
- TOEFL iBT: 90, with a minimum of 20 in writing
For more details, see the English documentation webpage (UniversityAdmissions.se).
If you have taken an English proficiency test that fulfills the requirements listed on the UniversityAdmissions.se website then you can ignore the information below.
For 2026, Dalarna University has made a temporary local exemption to the English proficiency requirements listed on the UniversityAdmissions.se website.
If you previously studied in India or Sri Lanka
Applicants from India and Sri Lanka should submit your upper-secondary documents to show your English proficiency as explained on the UniversityAdmissions website.
This will fulfill the formal English proficiency requirements for most courses and programmes at Swedish universities.
If you do not have the required proof of English proficiency from your upper-secondary studies and you have completed a 4-year bachelor’s degree majoring in a technical or science subject (such as engineering, IT or physics) which is equal to a Swedish bachelor’s degree, then you will not need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS result.
If you previously studied in Nepal
If you have not taken a TOELF or IELTS and you have completed a 4-year bachelor’s degree majoring in a technical or science subject (such as engineering, IT or physics) which is equal to a Swedish bachelor’s degree, then you will not need to submit a TOEFL or IELTS result.
Career opportunities
Our alumni network of more than 400 graduates work as engineers, analysts, managers, and entrepreneurs across the global solar energy industry. Many continue into doctoral research and university teaching; most take up roles in companies and organisations worldwide.
Potential future employers are:
- Solar equipment manufacturers
- Engineering and consulting companies with a renewable energy focus
- Energy utilities
- Government and non-government organisations
Increasing job opportunities
The cost of solar has fallen dramatically and the performance of storage and hybrid systems continues to improve. As deployment scales in both developed and emerging markets, the demand for graduates who can design, model, integrate, and operate PV and hybrid systems is growing—supporting strong long-term career prospects.
Study at the PhD level
You can also pursue your studies at the doctoral level by taking Dalarna University's doctoral programme in Resource Efficient Built Environment or related fields at Swedish or international universities.
Stay in Dalarna and look for a job after graduating
You can apply for a 12-month residence permit to stay in Sweden and look for work after you complete a degree programme of at least 60 credits. International students are encouraged to stay in Dalarna and look for a job after graduating from the Master’s Programme in Solar Energy Engineering.
Major employers include SSAB and Borlänge Energi, while nearby Ludvika—about a 30-minute commute—hosts Hitachi Energy, a global leader currently expanding at record pace, including work on the largest export order in Swedish history. The area is also set to welcome one of Sweden’s largest data centres, further strengthening the region’s role in innovation and technology.
Using your degree overseas
The degree awarded by Dalarna University for this programme is internationally recognised and has been used by previous students to attain employment or pursue further studies outside Sweden.
You can also apply to receive an Erasmus+ grant for an internship, even up to 12 months after completing your studies. This opportunity is available to all students in the programme, regardless of nationality, who pursue an approved internship within an Erasmus+ programme country other than Sweden.
A hybrid learning environment
The Master’s Programme in Solar Energy Engineering is offered both on campus in Borlänge and online. Classes are designed so that campus and online students interact in real time, and recordings are available for flexible study. Even online students are required to attend some mandatory on-campus activities each semester (e.g., hands-on labs or specific exams). These are scheduled well in advance so you can plan travel and accommodation.
A small and diverse community
Typically, around 30 students from across the globe join the programme each year. About half choose to study on campus and about half study online. The small cohort and international mix create a close-knit learning environment where you quickly get to know both classmates and teachers.
You will be taught by industry experts and researchers from 10 countries, while becoming a member of the international ESES community - a network of classmates and alumni who work locally and globally in the solar energy sector.
What your studies will involve
During the programme, you will attend lectures, complete practical exercises and lab work, participate in seminars and group projects, make study visits, and take exams. You can normally expect about 15–30 hours of scheduled teaching per week and 25–40 hours of independent study, depending on the course and period. The knowledge you gain and the connections you build—both inside and outside the classroom—support your professional development in the solar energy field.
If you are studying on campus
Campus Borlänge is located two hours north of Stockholm and 20 km from the historic town of Falun. The town combines established industry with easy access to Sweden’s natural landscapes. You will study in modern facilities in central Borlänge, with convenient access to trains, services, and outdoor activities.
If you are studying online
Dalarna University has been a pioneer in online education in Sweden. Classrooms are equipped so that online students are fully integrated into lectures and discussions. You will also benefit from a range of study tools and support available for online learners.
Since 1984, Dalarna University has conducted research in solar energy, making us one of the pioneers in the field. Building on this foundation, we launched the European Solar Engineering School (ESES) in 1999 to provide specialised education in solar energy engineering. Over the past 26 years, students from more than 60 countries have chosen Borlänge to gain skills that are in high demand worldwide.
Research and teaching are closely linked through the Sustainable Energy Research Centre (SERC), which collaborates with industry and public stakeholders regionally, nationally, and internationally. Together with four other Swedish universities and RISE, Dalarna University is also a founding partner of Solelforskningscentrum Sverige (SOLVE), the national competence centre for solar energy funded by the Swedish Energy Agency.
Through the programme you will benefit from:
- Site visits to solar installations, research centres, and innovative companies
- Guest lectures by experts in areas such as solar cell physics, energy storage, grid integration, and project development
- Internship opportunities with national and international partners (subject to availability)
- Thesis projects carried out in collaboration with research facilities or industry
In addition, the programme benefits from an Advisory Board made up of alumni and professionals with extensive experience in the global solar energy industry. Their insights help ensure that the programme stays aligned with the skills and knowledge needed in today’s job market.
