The Solar Asset Manager will monitor assigned utility scale and distributed generation solar projects across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to ensure optimal generation performance of the company’s solar photovoltaic (PV) plant portfolio as well as energy storage. Overall responsibilities will include management of third party O&M service provider, relationship management of key stakeholders (ie PPA offtakers, landowners, local government and permitting agencies etc.), project reporting, performance analysis, preparation of capital and O&M budgets and collaborating with the internal financial group to support their external and internal analysis and reporting requirements.
The Solar Asset Manager will work closely with the Solar Operations Technical Services and Operations groups to achieve overall Solar performance goals.
Responsibilities
- Ensure solar portfolio is performing at or above forecasted production.
- Maximize the total returns for each asset through the analysis of system efficiency and identifying opportunities for improved performance.
- Create detailed comprehensive reports on assigned solar projects.
- Review performance reports and project specific performance data; Investigate issues and initiate actions to improve performance.
- Develop & manage project budgets, models, contracts and stakeholder & customer relations.
- Work closely with numerous internal departments including Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Power Marketing, Accounting, Tax, and Legal
- Ensure regulatory, interconnection and HSSE compliance; Ensure assets are operated and managed consistent with TERP’s HSSE Policy.
- Assist FP&A in preparing investor reports, budgets for investors and lenders and resolve any issues or questions.
- Review, track and approve expenses incurred by assets and their agents, including external and internal charges.
- Manage relationships with stakeholders in solar projects e.g. property owners, local governments and permitting agencies
- Provide timely work products to support management and reporting of operating assets.
- Collaborate with FP&A and Accounting to ensure accuracy of billing to customers and resolve issues if needed.
- Contribute to the development of policies and procedures to ensure all procedural, legislative and contract requirements are fulfilled.
- Participate in the development of an asset compliance calendar. Where specified, manage and monitor compliance in all contracts and activities.
- Maintain knowledge of the political and energy market trends within the regions.
- Identify, assess and support execution of Asset Optimization initiatives by preparing cost/benefit analysis for each optimization initiative, considering terms of the contracts associated with the asset, asset performance, engineering cost estimates and implementation schedules from the various subject matter experts. Ensure to flesh out the true value of each identified initiative and package into a commercial value proposition for review and approval by senior management.
Requirements
- Work knowledge of US and Canadian renewable energy and storage markets
- Demonstrated commitment and participation in developing an accident free work environment
- Strong analytical skills and preferable experience in budget preparation and management
- Technical understanding of solar generation and energy storage; Familiarity with computerized DAS/SCADA/Monitoring systems, interconnection agreements and data management
- Strong business acumen and commercial and financial mindset
- Proven ability to work well within a multi-disciplinary team
- Ability to understand financial models and the potential impact of operations on investments
- Ability to define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and develop sound conclusions
- Exceptional influence and communication skills both verbally and in writing with superiors, peers, partners and other stakeholders
- Ability to manage a portfolio of large-scale utility solar is a plus
Qualifications
- At least 2 years’ experience in solar asset management
- Degree in engineering or any other technical field. Additional education in finance or accounting preferred
- Advanced computer skills especially in MS Office Suite
- Proven experience in negotiation
- Energy asset management experience in utility scale and distributed generation solar PV in North America
- Proven experience in Asset Management or operations of renewable portfolios
- Experience in Storage technologies is an asset
- Experience in green field and/or brownfield development is an asset
