Careers at SolUnesco
Join Our Team!
At SolUnesco, we are a talented, nimble team that has accomplished huge things in the utility-scale solar market. Our smaller size allows us to focus on individual projects, not a vast portfolio. And we have found success through dedication to our five core principles:
Trust, Passion Creativity, Community and Expertise.
Current Openings
Please click on the opportunity to view full job description.
SolUnesco seeks a Senior Analyst with strong GIS capabilities. The ideal candidate is both self-directed and a creative and effective problem solver with proven analytical skills. They have a passion for analysis, data management, and research. They possess the ability to synthesize work into succinct implications for the company’s strategy and business plans (the “So What?” of the analyses). The ideal candidate has extensive renewable energy development or other real estate development expertise. The position will support the company’s development team to i) identify future sites for renewable energy; ii) support the real estate development of renewable generation; and iii) provide ad hoc analytical support as needed on a variety of initiatives. SolUnesco is a can-do, fast-paced environment that strives for excellence, fosters professional growth, embraces accountability, and provides a culture supporting employee success and work enjoyment.
Description of the role
Renewable Projects General Support
- Manage, architect, and implement data analysis tools (Excel, Smartsheet, Google Earth/Arc GIS).
- Ensure the company effectively evaluates land attributes, project economic viability, fiscal impacts, and other quantitative factors impacting the development of our renewable energy projects.
- Support development of clean energy generation facilities including:
- Creating, manipulating, and analyzing spreadsheet data associated with physical land attributes and other land metadata (such as property values, owner info, etc.)
- Working with third-party electrical transmission experts to review and analyze electrical interconnection metrics and power flow data to determine the transmission and interconnection grid capacity for delivering renewable energy to the transmission grid
- Reviewing and synthesizing reports from our environmental and civil engineers
- Evaluating the economic and fiscal benefits to the local community
- Support the accounting department’s development of project and portfolio budgets.
- Effectively and succinctly communicate the results and implications of the analyses.
- Ensure the Project Origination field team has easy access to the key metrics defining the real estate’s value as a renewable energy facility.
GIS Analysis
- Utilize GIS tools and other data to identify suitable sites using specific search parameters regarding parcel size, preference for common parcel owners, access to utility infrastructure, wetlands, floodplain, slope, and others.
- Confirm utility infrastructure attributes, and update attributes in GIS files.
- Generate Google Earth and/or ArcGIS compatible files to graphically display data in company database.
- Generate production quality maps for real estate agreements and project development information.
- Import DWG files to Google Earth and/or ArcGIS compatible files.
- Collect, maintain, and organize GIS data related to transmission lines, substations, parcel information, and environmental constraints.
Other Duties
- Research state-specific renewable markets, defining supply and demand, and identifying industry trends.
- Research federal, state, and local permitting requirements including conditions placed on utility-scale solar projects.
- Research Regional Transmission Organization (RTO), Independent System Operator (ISO, and state specific interconnection processes.
- Support the creation of written communications such as blogs, white papers, memoranda, and other written materials.
- Act as project lead to delegate tasks, set timelines, and ensure deliverables are correct and complete.
- Mentor others by sharing knowledge and expertise and providing guidance on the process needed to complete tasks.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or analogous quantitative field (power system emphasis desired) or equivalent experience.
- Minimum five years related experience.
- Demonstrated success synthesizing data to facilitate communications and problem solve.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail is a must.
- Advanced Excel skills, Python, VBA, SQL, or other programming skills.
- Ability to oversee the work of others, providing guidance, support, deadlines, and detailed instructions.
- Working experience with Geographic Information Systems (Google Earth, ArcGIS, online county GIS systems) Including transforming data between GIS systems, databases and Excel.
- The following qualifications are preferred but not required:
- Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or analogous quantitative field.
- Basic understanding of renewable energy greenfield development.
- Broad knowledge of U.S. power industry structures, policies, regulations & market fundamentals.
- Familiarity with recent trends in conventional generation, renewables, gas, energy storage, transmission & distributed generation.
- Experience and interest in finance and real estate including an understanding of financial terms and principles.
- Relevant work experience providing quantitative analysis, electricity market modeling, consulting and/or energy trading.
- Strong understanding of transmission system and power flow fundamentals and LMP formation.
- Experience in specific Regional Transmission Organization markets, e.g., PJM, WECC, SPP and/or MISO.
- Experience as a project lead including delegating tasks, setting timelines, and ensuring accuracy of deliverables.
To apply
All candidates must be willing to undergo a background check, in accordance with local laws/regulations. Please submit a cover letter and resume to careers@solunesco.com. Your cover letter should contain a maximum of 300-words supporting your interest in and qualifications for the position. Some things to include are:
- Years of experience as an analyst including a brief summary of work performed.
- How your work contributed to the success of a project/organization.
- Renewable/clean energy experience or knowledge.
- Why this position at SolUnesco piqued your interest.
SolUnesco seeks a self-directed and self-motivated Landman with the ability to support future project management and local government relations to accelerate SolUnesco’s Tennessee market entry. You will meet with landowners to secure real property rights, represent SolUnesco at local government meetings, plan and participate in local events, develop relationships with local governments and other key stakeholders and generally support the development of Utility-Scale Solar Energy projects. This role requires excellent people skills and strong skills in communication, business, finance, and Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Responsibilities
- Meet with landowners to secure real property rights.
- Assess/document land suitability factors such as slope, wetlands, vegetation, and existing electrical infrastructure on site.
- Present SolUnesco’s contract terms.
- Address landowner questions.
- Initially coordinate closely with our lead developers to execute real property option agreements and overtime closing agreements.
- Engage with and educate a variety of local stakeholders as to utility-scale solar’s value proposition.
- Research zoning processes and permitting requirements.
- Engage with local governments throughout the permitting process.
- Participate in local events, meeting with and educating attendees.
Qualifications
- Ideally located in central TN, with the ability to travel to meetings or events across the state. Must have a reliable personal vehicle (mileage reimbursed), a current driver’s license and insurance, and the ability to obtain a rental car if needed for longer trips.
- Physical ability to walk outdoors on uneven, overgrown terrain. May be required to move or close cattle gates.
- Self-directed and able to act quickly and independently.
- Good observation and note-taking abilities.
- Strong people and communication skills, with the ability to engage and understand concerns and questions, speak persuasively and distill complex topics into understandable terms.
- Experience in real estate development is important.
- Knowledge of solar energy systems, local government decision-making processes and GIS (Geographic Information Systems) such as Google Earth and ARC GIS is helpful.
- Proficiency with MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- A flexible schedule, with availability in the evenings and weekends is required.
Hours and Compensation
Estimated 10-60 hours per week depending on your success. We are hiring a part-time consultant with the expectation that you will become a full-time employee. We will work with you to coordinate your availability with our needs, and will need flexibility from you.
- $40-$60 per hour depending on qualifications, initially not to exceed of $7,500 per month.
- Incentives equal to a potential doubling of your pay.
Interested in one of our job openings? Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining relevant experience to: careers@solunesco.com.