Data Scientist II, PV Performance at First Solar Inc in Perrysburg, Ohio

Job Description:

Our high growth and leadership position in the renewable energy business offers outstanding opportunities to individuals seeking an exciting work environment in one of the most important industries for the 21st century. First Solar is a leader in the development and manufacturing of thin film solar modules used in grid-connected solar power plants, as well as a provider of complete solar generation solutions for U.S. utilities. Our culture is one where teamwork, continuous improvement, achievement of results, and environmental responsibility are core values. We are seeking new associates who are motivated to contribute their talents to making cost-effective solar energy an important part of the world’s energy mix.

Primary Job Functions:

Basic Job Functions:

The Data Scientist is responsible for the development, validation, and continuous improvement of models that accurately characterize the performance of First Solar photovoltaic products and systems. He/she will achieve results through leadership of cross-functional teams to identify research needs, develop and execute analysis and test plans, and ensure quality of data collection, analysis and reporting.

The successful candidate will be able to adapt quickly to new data and analytical requests from across the First Solar organization.  This may include engineering statistical analysis, contract analysis, policy analysis and project management tasks.  The Data Scientist will also be responsible for generating detailed energy predictions for prospective and operating sites.

The ideal candidate will build relationships with internal and external groups to research state of the art meteorological analysis, statistical analysis, energy prediction methods & tools, and recommendations for PV power plant design in support of their work. He/she will be capable of independently identifying novel solutions to problems presented and communicating results to both a technical and non-technical audience.

Experience:

• At least 3 years in a Photovoltaics, Power Engineering, or other renewable energy field


• At least 3 years in Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning algorithm development


• At least 3 years in physical/technical data analysis

Education:

• Advanced degree in Data Science, Computer science, Electrical Engineering, Applied Statistics, or Physics required.

Required Skills:

• Proficient with programming languages (Python, Matlab, R, or similar), relational databases (SQL server), data analysis and visualization software's (preferably jmp, Tableau, SAS).


• Proficient with solar simulation software (PVSyst, PlantPredict, PV Sol, PV Design Pro or similar).


• Experienced with standard data science and machine learning packages such as Numpy, Pandas, Matplotlib, seaborn, bokeh, plotly


• Have solid understanding of the machine learning model stack (regression, classification, neural networks, time series) and packages (Scikit learn, Xgboost, Keras, Pytorch, Tensorflow, statsmodels)


• Have solid understanding of the machine learning model tradeoffs such as hyper-parameter tuning, regularization, cross-validation, skewness in data, dimensionality reduction, and complexity vs interpretability.


• Familiarity with renewables energy prediction modeling (preferably solar) and processing meteorological data and understanding of power engineering.


• Excellent communication, organization and interpersonal skills, comfortable to interpret data and modeling efforts to a large audience on a regular basis and publish results in reputed PV conference and journals.


• Strong self-direction, initiative, and ability to prioritize multiple tasks from various requestors, demonstrated ability to manage multi-faceted projects;


• Demonstrated results in developing and delivering customer-facing technical collateral

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Develop Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning based algorithms such as energy prediction model, solar irradiance (GHI, POA) model, spectral correction model, device metastability model, and module degradation model to enable fast learning of product performance.


• Forecast/Model long-term energy performance of First Solar modules in production/field environments, perform model vs actual analysis on a periodic basis. Identify areas of improvement in the models. Validate model predictions with measured data from plant monitoring systems and field test results.


• Evaluate the feasibility of new products, model energy performance of new module technologies under various meteorological climates, improve model through successive iterations, ensemble results to develop a robust model and validate model prediction with testbed before production deployment.


• Use advanced analytics tools such as Python, R, and Matlab to automate data analysis. Write and document reusable scripts with a mix of API's and packages.


• Develop methods to determine the statistical level of certainty around the quantity and quality of solar insolation at various project sites. This will include familiarity with short term and long term meteorological data sets and understanding industry accepted methods for interpolating data.


• Take ownership of data quality improvement in First Solar's field test sites. Assist in data analysis and state-of-the-art instrumentation and test equipment development.


• Support methods for verifying the capacity of installed solar PV systems and required customer reported performance metrics. Use standard root cause analysis techniques to identify areas of improvement and provide recommendations to support customer complaint.

Physical Requirements:

• Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift


• Will climb stairs on an occasional basis


• Will lift, push or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis


• Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis


• 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required


• Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures


• May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis


• May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis


• Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards)


• All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair)

Please note: potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role.   All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check, pre-employment drug screen, and any other test that may be required for the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.