Strata Solar Services is currently seeking a full-time PV & BESS Performance Engineer to join our Performance Analytics team, which is responsible for modeling and optimizing the energy output of our operating fleet of solar power plants through performance reporting development and automation, conducting performance analyses, and using industry research and PV system design principals to drive models. This role requires a deep understanding of both photovoltaic (PV) systems and battery energy storage systems (BESS), as well as expertise in Python programming, PVLib, PVsyst, SQL Databases, Grafana, and Python orchestration. The Senior PV & BESS Performance Engineer will be responsible for analyzing and optimizing the performance of our solar energy and battery storage installations.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Utilize Python programming skills to develop tools and scripts for analyzing the performance of photovoltaic systems and battery energy storage systems.
Conduct performance assessments of solar PV systems and BESS using PVLib and PVsyst software.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams to collect and analyze data from solar and battery energy storage installations.
Implement data management strategies using SQL Databases including ClickHouse OLAP DB and MS SQL Server for efficient storage and retrieval of performance data.
Develop and maintain dashboards and visualizations using Grafana to monitor and report on the performance of PV and BESS systems.
Work with the staff data scientist to support Python orchestration frameworks to automate data collection, analysis, and reporting processes.
Perform root cause analysis of performance issues and recommend corrective actions to optimize the performance of PV and BESS systems.
Stay updated with the latest advancements in PV and BESS technology and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
Provide technical expertise and support to internal teams and external stakeholders on PV and BESS performance-related matters.
Document procedures, methodologies, and findings related to PV and BESS performance analysis.
Education and/or Work Experience Requirements:
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy, or a related field.
Proven experience working in the renewable energy industry, with a focus on photovoltaic systems and battery energy storage systems.
Experience with operation, design and analysis of AC and DC electric power systems.
Proficiency in Python programming language, with experience developing tools and scripts for data analysis and manipulation.
Strong understanding of photovoltaic system modeling and simulation, preferably with experience using PVLib and PVsyst.
Hands-on experience with SQL database management and analysis.
Familiarity with Python orchestration frameworks for automating data processing workflows.
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to perform in-depth performance analysis of PV and BESS systems.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
Proactive attitude towards learning and staying updated with industry trends and advancements.
Preferred Qualifications:
Hands-on experience with ClickHouse OLAP or MS SQL Server for data management and analysis is preferred.
Experience in developing and maintaining dashboards and visualizations using Grafana or similar tools.
Certification in photovoltaic system design or performance analysis.
Experience with other programming languages and software tools commonly used in the renewable energy industry.
Knowledge of energy management systems and their integration with PV and BESS systems.