Solar PV / Energy Yield Lead

Bureau Veritas · Eritrea

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Position Summary

The Solar PV / Energy Yield Lead will lead the Consultant’s detailed solar PV design and energy-yield work for the project. The Expert will be responsible for solar-resource assessment, PV plant sizing and layout, energy modelling, technical specifications, module and equipment requirements, degradation and performance-ratio assumptions, design optimisation, FAT/SAT support and verification of plant performance during testing and commissioning.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead detailed solar PV engineering, design coordination and energy-yield assessment from design development through commissioning and performance verification.
• Review available solar-resource datasets, ground measurements, satellite sources, site conditions and long-term climate records for suitability and consistency.
• Prepare solar-resource assessments, including data screening, correlation, long-term adjustment, uncertainty analysis and selection of representative meteorological datasets.
• Develop and maintain bankable energy-yield models using PVsyst or equivalent software, supported by transparent assumptions and auditable input data.
• Assess gross and net energy production, specific yield, performance ratio, availability, degradation, interannual variability and probability-of-exceedance values, as required.
• Quantify losses associated with irradiation, temperature, soiling, shading, mismatch, wiring, transformers, inverters, clipping, availability, curtailment and degradation.
• Lead PV plant sizing and DC/AC ratio optimisation, considering energy yield, equipment operating limits, grid constraints, lifecycle performance and whole-life cost.
• Develop and optimise array layouts, module orientation, tilt, row spacing, ground-cover ratio, access routes, equipment locations and cable-routing concepts.
• Assess near-shading and horizon effects, terrain impacts, topographic constraints and potential future obstructions using appropriate modelling tools.
• Prepare and review module stringing, inverter loading, combiner arrangements, DC collection, AC collection, transformer interfaces and plant single-line diagrams.
• Define technical requirements for PV modules, mounting structures, trackers where applicable, inverters, combiner boxes, DC cabling, monitoring equipment and weather stations.
• Lead technical evaluation of module technologies, including electrical characteristics, temperature coefficients, bifaciality, degradation, warranties, certifications and bankability considerations.
• Review module and equipment datasheets, type-test certificates, quality plans, manufacturing records, warranty terms and supplier technical submissions.
• Prepare detailed design criteria, calculations, layouts, equipment schedules, bills of quantities, specifications and technical reports for procurement and construction.
• Coordinate PV design interfaces with BESS, grid integration, substations, distribution systems, civil works, geotechnical conditions, drainage, SCADA/EMS and metering systems.
• Review contractor and vendor designs, calculations, simulations, drawings, method statements, material submittals and proposed design changes.
• Assess design changes and substitutions for their effects on energy yield, performance ratio, reliability, warranties, operation and lifecycle cost.
• Support procurement through preparation of technical requirements, responses to clarifications, bid evaluation and review of supplier guarantees.
• Develop and review factory acceptance test requirements for PV modules, inverters, transformers, monitoring systems and other major equipment.
• Support manufacturing inspections, sampling plans, electroluminescence testing, flash-test review, visual inspections and documentation verification, as applicable.
• Develop and review site acceptance, commissioning and performance-test procedures, including instrumentation, test boundaries, correction methods and acceptance criteria.
• Witness field inspections and tests covering module installation, polarity, insulation resistance, string current, I-V curves, thermography, inverter operation and monitoring accuracy.
• Verify plant performance through measured-data analysis, performance-ratio testing, capacity testing, availability assessment and comparison against guaranteed values.
• Investigate underperformance, identify root causes and recommend corrective actions relating to design, installation, equipment, controls, soiling or operational settings.
• Review as-built layouts, model files, equipment data, test results, commissioning records, warranties, O&M manuals and handover documentation.
• Prepare energy-yield reports, design-review comments, technical memoranda, inspection reports, test reports and performance-verification recommendations.
• Provide training and knowledge transfer to Client, utility and operations personnel on PV design assumptions, energy modelling, monitoring and performance assessment.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline; a Master's degree in a relevant engineering field is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in solar PV engineering, design, supervision or performance assessment.
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in utility-scale solar PV design, engineering and construction supervision.
• Demonstrated experience on at least three solar PV projects, including at least one project rated 10 MWp or larger.
• Demonstrated experience covering solar-resource assessment, PVsyst or equivalent yield modelling, degradation, performance ratio, module selection and performance testing.
• Strong experience in PV sizing, DC/AC ratio optimisation, layout development, shading assessment, loss modelling and uncertainty analysis.
• Experience preparing or reviewing technical specifications, design calculations, layouts, bills of quantities, equipment schedules and energy-yield reports.
• Practical experience supporting procurement, vendor review, FAT, SAT, commissioning and plant-performance verification.
• Experience coordinating PV interfaces with BESS, substations, grid systems, civil works, SCADA/EMS, metering and plant monitoring.
• Experience in East Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, high-temperature environments, remote sites or internationally financed energy projects is an advantage.

Technical Competencies

• Solar-resource assessment, meteorological-data screening, long-term correlation and uncertainty analysis.
• PVsyst or equivalent energy-yield modelling, including loss diagrams, probability scenarios and model validation.
• PV plant sizing, DC/AC ratio optimisation, array layout, stringing, inverter loading and collection-system design.
• Performance ratio, specific yield, degradation, availability, soiling, curtailment and energy-loss assessment.
• Module-technology assessment, equipment selection, warranties, standards, quality requirements and supplier technical evaluation.
• Near-shading, horizon, terrain, bifacial and tracker modelling, where applicable.
• Detailed PV design, technical specifications, equipment schedules, bills of quantities and design-review processes.
• FAT, SAT, electroluminescence and flash-test review, I-V curve testing, thermography and commissioning support.
• Plant-performance testing, measured-data correction, guarantee verification, underperformance analysis and troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of applicable IEC standards, utility requirements, electrical safety practices and good international engineering practice.
• Proficiency in PVsyst and relevant CAD, GIS, spreadsheet, data-analysis or layout-optimisation tools.
• Strong technical reporting, multidisciplinary coordination, stakeholder communication and knowledge-transfer capability.

Professional Credentials and Attributes

Professional Engineer, Chartered Engineer or equivalent registration is preferred where applicable. Relevant certification or membership in a recognised solar-energy, renewable-energy or engineering institution is desirable. The successful candidate will demonstrate advanced analytical capability, sound engineering judgement, technical leadership, attention to detail, data integrity, collaborative coordination and the ability to translate energy-model results into practical design and performance recommendations.

ACCEPTABLE CV FORMAT

CURRICULUM VITAE (CV)

Education: {List college/university or other specialised education, giving names of educational institutions, dates attended and degree(s)/diploma(s) obtained.}

Employment record relevant to the assignment: {Starting with the present position, list relevant employment in reverse chronological order. Provide dates, employing organisation, position held, activities performed, assignment location, project capacity and contact information for references.}

Membership in Professional Associations and Publications: _________________________________________________________________

Language Skills (indicate only languages in which you can work): _________________________________________________________________

Adequacy for the Assignment:

Contact information: (email ____________________, phone ____________________)

Name ____________________     Signature ____________________     Date ____/____/________

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