Where to find electrical (solar) prototypes? Complex invention?

[Rob]

My invention needs solar cells and a custom circuit designed to work with a motor, a battery, and other components.  Who can I hire to do this work?

[Brad]

Hi Rob,

That is a tough question.  At this level, you would be looking for someone with an advanced background in Electrical Engineering.  One option I can think of is trying to work with your local university if they have a good Electrical Engineering Dept. and are willing to work with outside companies.  Please rememebr that these professors and researchers are very busy and normally do not have the time or interest to take on side projects so you should be prepared to pay them a fee.  At the university near me, we have a Senior Design program in the Engineering school where for $5,000 you can get a group of Engineering students and one professor to take on your project over the course of a year.  More on this here:  http://srdesign.uncc.edu/

You may also be able to hire people online to at least create the schematics and drawings for your invention.  Ideally you would be able to send those drawings to a prototype manufacturer that has experience in this area.  I have used Elance ( https://www.elance.com/?rid=3ASXV ) with good success finding skilled people but there are other sites as well. 

[Mechadynamics]

 I've found there is a wealth of details regarding circuitry & the like in the patents at the uspto.gov website - it's possible you may find what you need there. If your invention isn't incredibly complex you may find help in electronics forums as well.