Solar PV and Renewable Energy Engineer

Cover Letter Required

Abraxas Energy Consulting, LLC, a subsidiary of Hillmann Consulting, LLC, is a nationwide energy auditing and consulting firm that provides energy assessments, training, and software tools to assist facilities in reducing energy and water waste. Together, Abraxas and Hillmann can provide customized Energy Analysis, Energy Accounting, Environmental Health and Safety, Remediation Support, Real Estate Due Diligence, Geotechnical, and Laboratory Analysis services. Abraxas and Hillmann deliver consulting with an uncompromising commitment to customer service, safety, and increasing value and quality to our clients.

Abraxas has an immediate opening for an experienced Solar PV and Renewable Energy Engineer for nationwide coverage to lead solar PV system reviews, assessments, and commissioning projects as well as provide other energy consulting services. Typical assignments will include scoping, preliminary analysis, due diligence review, commissioning and field diagnostic testing and assessments, analysis of savings potential, analysis of installed costs, scoping renewables installation solutions, and reporting various findings and recommendations.

The Solar PV and Renewable Energy Engineer is expected to be capable of supporting other Abraxas services besides those solely focused on renewable energy systems. These include leading on-site energy and water efficiency assessments, field measurement and verification, retro-commissioning activities, leading facility energy audits following ASHRAE’s Level 2 energy audit methodology for most facilities independently from start to finish.

The Solar PV and Renewable Energy Engineer is expected to work in small teams when necessary on larger projects and to facilitate mentorship of more junior team members. This position requires a high level of individual initiative, responsibility, work ethic and time management skills to meet shifting and overlapping project deadlines. The Solar PV and Renewable Energy Engineer must have solid technical report writing skills and be able to provide recommendations and professional opinions in a clear, concise, and meaningful way. The work will involve regular interaction with clients in person, on the phone, and via email. The Solar PV and Renewable Energy Engineer will work with team members to request information, solicit feedback, and clearly define project responsibilities is crucial. The Solar PV and Renewable Energy Engineer will also need to communicate with their peers and Project Managers regarding their schedule, roadblocks to their work, and additional support that may be required.

Responsibilities:

Field Tasks

The tasks will range in complexity from one day walk thru site visits to multi-day assessments across the country. Tasks include:

• Evaluate potential opportunities and scope/develop recommendations for on-site solar PV and renewable energy projects.
• Lead due diligence site assessments for existing building and new construction solar projects pre-installation.
• Lead existing building and new construction solar commissioning site assessments post-installation.
• Conduct/lead detailed energy surveys of facilities ranging from simple office or multifamily properties to complex high-rise offices, manufacturing, and/or other energy intensive buildings to identify energy reduction opportunities in lighting, HVAC, building envelope, water, renewables, controls, and other energy and water using systems.
• Adapt to varying field data collection techniques including hand written notes, tablet-based tools, photo logging, review of as-built drawings, review of building control systems, use of measurement devices and hand tools, etc.
• Deploy field diagnostic equipment such as wireless monitoring systems, data loggers, flow meters, power loggers, multimeters, temperature devices, air flow meters, manometers, lighting meters, current transducers, appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), hand tools, etc.

Analysis

• Provide professional opinion during due diligence assessments regarding solar resource availability, projected energy savings, solar system production estimates, projected O&M cost and responsibilities, solar construction budget, equipment warranties, and local regulation review including net metering allowances.
• Conduct sensitivity analysis for solar construction projects to determine estimated margin of error for solar production and energy savings during due diligence assessments.
• Keep current with new energy efficiency technologies and strategies.
• Analyze and evaluate results from measurements and data collection including interval energy load and solar production data, utility bill data, rate schedules, etc.
• Interpret and apply estimates of all types of financial incentives available for energy, and specifically renewable energy projects, including utility rebates, tax incentives, grants, power purchase agreements, lease programs, etc.
• Interpret, and tabulate information from facility mechanical and electrical drawings such as electrical panel schedules, one-line diagrams, site plans, mechanical equipment ratings/locations, etc.
• Exercise experience and research to scope and analyze energy improvements to building systems in detail and quantify accurate energy savings and installed cost estimates.
• Communicate with and obtain vendor quotes for proposed improvements as needed.
• Complete life-cycle cost analysis for energy improvement projects.
• Perform energy and economic analysis of energy efficiency measures using energy modeling software, spreadsheets and other tools.

Reporting and Presentation

• Document and communicate the results of assessments through written reports, PowerPoint presentations, meetings, and conference calls.
• Develop and advise on detailed scopes of work for turnkey implementation of renewables, energy efficiency, and water efficiency improvements.
• Meet with clients and team members to discuss energy efficiency measures.
• Keep current with new energy efficiency technologies and strategies.
• Convey technical concepts and recommendations in a clear, concise, and meaningful way.
• Address client needs and present recommendations or proposals that meet those needs.

This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications (Education, Skills, and Experience):

Meeting these qualifications will make you eligible for a starting salary at the low end of the posted range:

• Preferred: Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or other four-year STEM degree AND 3+ years of experience in the analysis of on-site renewable energy generation.
• Minimum: 2-year technical, math, or science degree AND 5-10+ years of experience in the analysis of on-site renewable energy generation.
• Mastery of the English language – written and spoken.
• One or more of the following NABCEP Certifications: PV Installation Professional (PVIP), PV Design Specialist (PVDS), or PV Installer Specialist (PVIS)
• Experience in new construction and/or existing building solar commissioning.
• Experience with solar PV energy system design and/or production simulation using Helioscope, PVWatts, Aurora Solar, or similar programs.
• Experience performing detailed review of solar project construction documents, specifications, engineering, design drawings and modeling reports to evaluate the solar PV system design and estimated production capacity as well as overall building code conformance.
• Advanced competency with Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word and ability to improve.
• Experience with the application of advanced mathematical concepts to energy use analysis in buildings.

Additional Valuable Qualifications:

Meeting these qualifications may make you eligible for a starting salary at the higher end of the posted range:

• 7+ Years of related experience
• Professional Engineer license in any state.
• Experience surveying and analyzing the operation of complex mechanical and electrical systems in buildings and their associated control algorithms.
• Experience writing detailed energy audit and engineering reports including conveying as-found conditions and recommended capital improvements.
• Experience presenting the results of an energy audit or re-commissioning project to small groups of stakeholders.
• A certification in any of the following: Certified Energy Manager, Certified Lighting Efficiency Professional, LEED Accreditation, Certified Energy Auditor, Building Performance Institute, HERS Rater.
• Experience with self-performing advanced field measurements in existing buildings including: spot and long-term power measurements, 3 phase power measurements, airflow duct traverses, ultrasonic flow metering, combustion gas analysis, airflow hood testing, thermal imaging, non-destructive envelope measurements, etc.
• Experience developing energy simulation models with DOE-2, eQUEST, TRANE TRACE 700, TRACE 3D or similar programs.
• Experience creating measurement & verification plans for energy projects.

TRAVEL - While many project assignments are local or regional, the Solar PV and Renewable Energy Engineer should expect to be gone from home 5-7 nights per month on average. Abraxas reimburses all travel expenses according to the company’s Travel and Expense Policy.

Benefits:

Abraxas Energy Consulting, LLC and Hillmann Consulting, LLC are committed to the professional development and well-being of our employees. The following benefits are offered to employees:

• Competitive salary
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Employer-401(k) Plan
• Tuition assistance
• Volunteer time off

Abraxas Energy Consulting, LLC is an equal opportunity employer.