Solar PV Engineer

Gemma Power Systems•Glastonbury, CT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Solar (PV) Engineer will support the Electrical Engineering team with all technical & engineering deliverables for Gemma Power Systems’ solar/PV site designs including site evaluation, proposal development support, detail engineering, production modeling, and commissioning. The ideal candidate will contribute to utility-scale solar projects, which may include energy storage. The Solar (PV) Engineer will also coordinate with AHJs, utilities, Engineer of Record (EORs) subcontractors, major equipment vendors, and customers. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of PV (photovoltaic) modeling for production & performance, equipment sizing, PV design & layout, estimation, specification, procurement & bid evaluation support, construction, interconnection, and operation of a distributed generation solar PV power plant. Join Gemma’s dynamic engineering team! We are seeking a highly motivated and experienced individual to help oversee the Engineer of Record's (EOR) project multi-disciplinary team, who will complete the Electrical & Controls Engineering design packages, perform calculations, and develop engineering solutions. As a Solar (PV) Engineer, you will typically work on power generation, distribution, utility-scale power plant systems design for new & retrofit installations, and other industrial projects. Your project knowledge range should include an understanding of complex Engineering, Procurement, & Construction (EPC) contracts and technical oversight of electrical contractors. The Solar (PV) Engineer is also responsible for providing technical & engineering insight during the design phase related to customer experience, site layout, energy modeling, contract review, electrical design, and equipment specification, which results in a smooth transition to construction operations. You also must be able to act independently during small or early-stage pursuits. The Solar (PV) Engineer will also assist in the management of electrical & control systems for power plants; design power distribution systems, inverters, trackers, and PV panel layouts; develop wiring schematics & construction specifications; and write & review equipment specifications.

Requirements

BS in Electrical Engineering, or an advanced degree in engineering or construction management.
PE Electrical Engineering (or EIT).
At least four (4) years of experience with design/installation of medium voltage and low voltage power distribution within power plants or industrial facilities.
At least three (3) years of experience with the design/installation of high-voltage transmission equipment.
At least three (3) years of related experience in Instrumentation and Electrical Controls.
At least three (3) years of experience supporting design of utility-scale solar PV systems.
Proficient with and understanding PVSyst solar performance modeling software.
Strong understanding of 3-phase power systems, distribution service equipment, and balance of system components for solar PV distributed generation assets
Ability to size and specify a GSU transformer, HV equipment, MV switchgear, step-up transformers, switchboards, panelboards, inverters, trackers, DAS, etc.
Working knowledge of system and equipment grounding requirements (high resistance, building, and isolated grounding).
Strong knowledge of applicable codes and standards (NEC, ANSI, NEMA, NFPA, IEEE, & OSHA).
Understanding of generation and power factor correction.
Experience with ETAP or SKM for performing short-circuit, coordination, and flash hazard studies.
Strong AutoCAD skills for plant layouts and cable designs.
Rational decision-making and problem-solving ability.
Detail-oriented with a high degree of accuracy.
Team player with good interpersonal and customer relation skills.
Excellent communication skills in English, both verbal and written.
Well organized and able to participate in projects and meet deadlines.
15% domestic travel required.

Nice To Haves

Other experience working on solar or renewable projects is beneficial.

Responsibilities

Participate in the planning & coordination of conceptual & detailed phases of electrical engineering projects.
Support the electrical engineering process by monitoring the electrical design and ensuring that Gemma’s engineering subcontract is timely & correct.
Ensure the design meets the requirements of the EPC contract.
Develop, define, and dimension technically & economically feasible applications by performing preliminary engineering/design and coordinating with external vendors & subcontractors to develop designs & technical proposals and determine cost & schedule.
Drive the technical due diligence from the project development, implementation, and commissioning phase. This will involve identifying known risks (i.e., technical, construction, price, schedule, environmental, warranties, performance guarantees, etc.) and indicating impacts and how they will be addressed & mitigated.
Support proposal development by providing input regarding PV/solar power plant proposals' electrical requirements, including detailed technical evaluation, and developing detailed supporting documentation of supplier quotes & cost optimization derivations.
Help lead the EOR preparation effort of control systems (SCADA and/or PLC).
Assist in overseeing the SCADA system design & configuration, graphic interfaces, and customer requirements.
Review basic & detailed technical drawings, documents, and specifications issued by the engineering subcontractor as necessary for the project, ensuring that the designs & installations meet the client's requirements and all the relevant safety regulations.
Determine the root cause and resolve electrical equipment issues as quickly as possible by utilizing the best troubleshooting practices.
Review the test results of solar PV and grounding systems.
Conduct detailed technical evaluations and quality assurance checks on solar PV projects.
Perform site-specific production analysis of PV arrays using models such as PVsyst.
Create & maintain design tools, design standards, specifications, and best practices for PV system design.
Support all technical aspects of utility coordination and interconnection.
Collaborate with the electrical team to coordinate the engineering of large-scale commercial or utility-scale PV systems above 500MWdc, including mounting systems, electrical configurations, requisite wire, and conduit sizing according to NEC, and generation of equipment specifications, BOMs, and detailed system production modeling.
Provide commissioning support for Utility-Scale PV plants.