Solar PV Engineer

Oil and Gas Job Search Ltd • Full-time • London, GB • 2w ago

The Company

Solarcentury Africa is one of the leading renewable energy developers in Africa with over ten years of experience operating on the continent. Headquartered in the UK, we are a market leader in the development of solar PV and energy storage projects using smart energy technology and controls in sub-Saharan Africa.

Job details

The successful candidate will work as engineer part of Solarcentury Africa's Engineering team in the UK or Southern Africa, providing technical services to support Solarcentury Africa's large-scale solar PV plant and battery energy storage development activities. These technical services include project feasibility assessments, technical documentation reviews, energy yield assessment, design specifications and layouts, tender reviews, detailed design review, construction quality monitoring, testing and commissioning supervision support and operational technical support.

The role holder will review and prepare technical and non-technical documentation including preliminary systems designs, technical specifications, coordinate and prepare technical reports, project management reports, support on technical elements of proposals, suppliers offer review and liaison, data analysis and calculations and update of contract technical appendices for solar PV + BESS projects being developed and delivered by Solarcentury Africa across the Continent.

Key activities and responsibilities

Working within the Engineering team and with wider organisational departments to:

Undertake project feasibility assessments and assist with PV plant designs and Energy Yield Assessments;
Technical support to proposals being led and developed by the business development team;
Undertake Engineering tasks including drafting, reviewing, and issuing technical design specifications, particularly those related to PV plant electrical infrastructure, SLDs, network architecture;
Undertake site visits and assessments, including site audits, quality control, defect recording, commissioning & testing, witnessing with support from SCA senior engineers;
Technical support to prepare tender documentation including SLDs, layouts, Scope of Works, Employer Requirements, Technical Specifications
Perform design review and manage flow of information and drawings provided by contractors;
Co-ordinate and liaise with different parties before and during project implementation phases;
Provide technical support to Development Managers as well as the Project Management and the Commercial teams with technical matters;
Review, compare and assess proposals and deliverables from third party consultants such as geotechnical, topographical and grid integration studies as well proposals from suppliers of electrical equipment including switchgear, transformers, protection, solar PV equipment; and
Assist the Procurement Team with liaison, procurement and logistics for solar PV and BESS components procurement;

Qualifications And Experience

Bachelor's degree in STEM subject (in exceptional circumstances equivalent combination of training and related professional experience may be considered);
Minimum of 3 years' experience in the solar PV and BESS sectors with demonstrable electrical and technical engineering skills; conversant with technical drawings;
Experience with Solar PV plants delivery (either pre-construction, construction or asset management);
Understanding of hybrid generation systems and technologies e.g., solar PV, BESS, thermal generation and how to model these systems;
Have a high-level understanding of PV Plant integration with the grid and off grid.

Essential Skills

Experience of technical engineering software (e.g., AutoCAD) and strong data analysis skills (e.g., MS Excel);
Expert MS Office / productivity software skills, including MS Project, MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint;
Able to work with Python, MS Power Automate and Power BI;
Awareness of British and International standards related to solar PV design, operations and communications;
Experience with PVsyst and PVcase (or equivalent);
Strong interpersonal skills; team player attitude;
Self-motivated; able to independently research, learn and continue professional development;
Contributor; able to help strengthen and build a small dynamic organisation;
Excellent communication skills; oral and written;
Wider awareness of the renewable energy market (especially solar PV and Battery storage) and related concepts and policies;
Process driven; able to follow (and offer improvements to) organisational protocols; and
Valid Driving licence and ability to travel to Southern Africa.

Desirable skills