Local Unit & Position Description

Do you want to be part of the world s leading energy consulting firm?

Are you committed to address climate change and positively impact society and the world?

Do you enjoy collaborating with colleagues and clients, and thrive in a dynamic and respectful environment?

Would you like to influence the solar industry and have the opportunity to grow and thrive as a thought leader?

Then an engineering position in our Solar Independent Engineering and Technology Team may be a great fit for you!

DNV Energy System s Renewables and Power Grids group is seeking a Photovoltaic (PV) Module Engineer/Expert - Solar Technology to join our Solar Independent Engineering and Technology team. DNV is the world s leading renewable energy consultant, and our respected staff are viewed as experts and thought leaders in the industry. DNV s Solar IE and Technology team holds a substantial market position in North America as a leading provider of independent engineering services to support the financing and construction of solar energy projects, support manufacturers in bankability studies, and stakeholders in root cause analysis evaluation. In this role, our team provides technical consulting and due diligence on behalf of project developers, equipment manufacturers, and financiers who rely on our reports in making investment and risk assessment decisions. This solar technology team also takes a leading role in conference participation, participation in codes/standards committees, and in establishing internal and industry guidance on assessing technology risk for our teams in North America and globally. This is a high-performing, innovative team that strives for equity, respect, and diversity.

As a member of the Solar Technology team, the successful candidate will be a thought leader at DNV in the field of photovoltaic (PV) module technology, testing and operations, and will provide technical advisory and other consulting services associated with PV modules used in solar projects. The work will include technical due diligence of solar PV modules for use in pre-construction, construction and operational projects on behalf of lenders and investors. This position will also provide technical support and advisory services to project developers and product manufacturers, including bankability studies, failure analyses, and support for RFPs and technical specifications. The role will include working with product manufacturers to opine on product design and expected reliability and managing relationships with applicable manufacturers and other stakeholders.

Performing technical reviews will require candidates who can assess detailed aspects of PV module design including cell processing methods, cell interconnection approaches, encapsulants, and environmental protection. Candidates should possess a solid fundamental understanding of the manufacturing processes for both crystalline and thin-film products. The technical review will include evaluation with respect to relevant codes and standards, so the candidate should be familiar with UL 1703, IEC 61730, IEC 61646, IEC 61215 and the National Electrical Code (NEC). The successful candidate should be familiar with the major suppliers of PV modules and with the primary technical differences between products and market segments.

This position will be loacted in our Montreal,CA ; Toronto, Ontario, CA office, or remote locations

What You ll Do

• Employ strong English-language written and verbal communications skills to provide technical advice to customers including commenting on design, reliability, manufacture, installation, and testing of PV modules, to include:
• Assessment of manufacturing methods (e.g. thin-film deposition, laser scribing, encapsulation)
• Review of manufacturing facilities for compliance with quality/safety procedures and practices
• Review manufacture and installation documentation for solar PV modules
• Review engineering documentation relating to:
  • Cell design, processing and manufacturing
  • Cell interconnection
  • Encapsulation, framing and front/back glass/polymer
  • Performance test reports
  • Product compliance testing
  • Thermal (infra-red) imaging evaluation
  • Electroluminescence (EL) imaging evaluation
  • Accelerated testing reports
  • FMEA and related reliability documentation
  • Operation and maintenance documents
• Produce detailed reports which review the feasibility of the solar PV modules
• Review and opine on module applicability related to extreme weather, including but not limited to hail, hurricanes, seismic, etc
• Review module/racking compatibility approval letters, test reports, and/or test procedures
• Review and opine on repowering strategies for fully operations projects
• Recommendations for product improvements and/or suggestions for how to mitigate risk
• Travel to engineering/manufacturing facilities to review product design and manufacture, and to field sites to review installation, operation, and maintenance
• Relate the results of PV module technical reviews to broader technical due diligence scopes by making recommendations regarding commercial and technical risk mitigation and financial model assumptions for investors, lenders, developers, and owners in a relatable manner
• Manage stakeholder relationships to develop new business opportunities and promote complementary services from other parts of DNV, including preparing scopes of work for technical services
• Work as a supportive team member in a collaborative environment, as well as on self-directed independent projects

Position Qualifications

What is Required:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering with a focus in physics or a physics or materials science with a focus in photovoltaic technology (a graduate degree is preferred) from an accredited university. Other relevant degrees may be considered
• Minimum of 6 years of engineering experience in a related field with at least 4 years of experience in the design, testing, and/or modelling of solar PV modules
• Experience designing or evaluating products for compliance with UL 1703, IEC 61730, IEC 61646, IEC 61215
• Willingness and ability to travel, up to 20% of the time, domestically and internationally.
• Must have strong English-language written and verbal communications skills, including ability to write clear and detailed technical reports, presentations, and emails for a non-technical audience
• Must be able to obtain a valid passport and visas for travel to Europe, China, Japan, and Canada
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• We conduct pre-employment background screening

What is preferred:

• Experience developing or implementing safety policies related to product design and testing
• Familiarity with simulation tools/libraries such as PVsyst, SAM, PVLib
• Familiarity with R, python, or other programming languages
• Some background in uncertainty, probability, and statistics
• Experience reviewing EPC and O&M contracts
• General PV system design and factors that impact safety, and performance
• Ability to climb ladders for roof-mounted solar installations and carry equipment for short durations

**Immigration-related employment benefits, for example visa sponsorship, are not available for this position**

What We Offer

• Generous Paid Time Off (Vacation, Company Holidays, Parental Leave, Sick, and Disability)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefit Plan
• Group retirement plan with company match
• Company provided life insurance, short-term, and long-term disability benefits
• Education reimbursement program
• Employee and Family Assistance Program with counseling, coaching, and support options
• Flexible work schedule with hybrid/remote opportunities

**Benefits vary based on position, tenure, location, and employee election**

How We Do It

We Care, We Dare, We Share

DNV is a proud equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive and diverse workforce. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit or business need, without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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Diversity at DNV

Meet our Employees

About DNV

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Please visit our website at www.dnv.com

Company & Business Area Description

DNV is the independent expert in assurance and risk management, operating in more than 100 countries. Through our broad experience and deep expertise we advance safety and sustainable performance, set industry benchmarks, and inspire and invent solutions.

We provide assurance to the entire energy value chain through our advisory, monitoring, verification, and certification services. As the world's leading resource of independent energy experts and technical advisors, we help industries and governments to navigate the many complex, interrelated transitions taking place globally and regionally, in the energy industry. We are committed to realizing the goals of the Paris Agreement, and support all stakeholders to transition faster to a deeply decarbonized energy system.