Performance Engineer

Pine Gate Renewables is a leading renewable energy company focused on project development and strategic financing of solar and storage projects throughout the United States. The companys Pine Gate Impact initiative contributes to multiple non-profit organizations aimed at improving the environment and local communities. Headquartered in Asheville, NC, Pine Gate Renewables made the Inc. 5000 list in 2021, placing at #37 and named to Fast Companys Most Innovative Companies list in 2021. Pine Gate Renewables works every day to achieve its mission to "Get Solar Done." For more information, visit pinegaterenewables.com.

Within Pine Gate Renewables, the Operating Assets team is accountable for delivering the optimal results from each asset currently operating. The 100 operating assets have 3 GW capacity and are across 32 states. This team is critical to ensuring profitable, sustainable assets for the company. The team includes asset management, operations, performance engineering, partnership and lender management, and operational compliance.

We are seeking a Performance Engineer (Operating Assets) specializing in solar generation and energy storage facilities to join our innovative renewable energy team. Performance engineers will seek to add value by aggregating and analyzing PV data that optimizes performance of operational assets. Your expertise in data science and analytical tools will aid the performance engineering team in its analysis of solar and battery storage systems to ensure the optimal performance and reliability of our renewable generation facilities. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including project managers, design engineers, operations, and asset management team members, you will contribute to the success of our solar and storage projects. The ideal candidate is passionate about renewable energy and brings a strong background in data analytics, statistics, performance reporting and an ability and willingness to quickly learn PV production models.

What Youll Do

The Performance Engineer will play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient and optimal performance of our solar and storage assets while leveraging data-driven insights. This position requires an understanding of data analysis and acumen in making financial decisions and applies that to renewable energy systems. As a Performance Engineer, you will work with other performance engineers, asset managers, operations and maintenance providers, and senior management to drive operational excellence.

Performance Optimization:

• Identify and evaluate opportunities to improve the performance and efficiency of solar and storage assets.
• Develop and implement optimization initiatives, leveraging both traditional engineering methods and advanced data science techniques.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure the successful implementation of optimization strategies.
• Stay up to date with industry best practices and emerging technologies related to performance optimization and data science.

Data Analysis and Cleansing:

• Collect, analyze, and interpret data from various sources to identify performance trends and anomalies.
• Develop and implement data cleansing methodologies to ensure accurate and reliable performance data.
• Generate insightful reports and dashboards for senior management, asset managers, and operations and maintenance providers.
• Demonstrate interest in advanced data science techniques, such as machine learning and predictive modeling, to derive actionable insights.

Performance Engineering:

• Monitor and analyze the performance of solar energy assets to identify inefficiencies, deviations from expected performance, and areas for improvement.
• Collect, process, and interpret large datasets related to solar energy generation, weather conditions, equipment performance, and other relevant parameters.
• Utilize insights from regular plant analysis to develop, review, and analyze performance models using PVsyst modeling or other renewable energy modeling tools.
• Provide feedback to the commercial or engineering teams with lessons learned from operating assets to improve future designs.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Collaborate with asset managers, operations and maintenance providers, and other stakeholders to align on performance goals and strategies.
• Communicate performance metrics, trends, and findings to senior management and other relevant stakeholders Collect, analyze, and interpret data from various sources to identify performance trends and anomalies.
• Act as a subject matter expert and provide guidance on performance optimization, analytics, and data science-related matters.
• Foster strong relationships with external vendors, industry experts, and research organizations to stay informed about the latest advancements in the field.

Must-Haves

• Proven experience (2+ years) in performance optimization, analytics, and data science, ideally within the renewable energy industry.
• Proficiency in data analysis, statistical modeling, and data visualization tools.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively present complex information to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Self-motivated with the ability to work independently and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience working with PV Performance Modeling or demonstrated ability to quickly learn new software tools.
• Working knowledge of solar and storage systems and their performance characteristics.
• Experience with various DAS platforms for data aggregation, site configuration, and investigation

Education and Certifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, Data Science, or a related field or equivalent experience to demonstrate aptitude and skills needed for the position.

Working Environment and Physical Demand

• Remote, with up to 10% travel.

Pine Gate Renewables believes in taking care of our employees by offering benefits that support their physical, mental, and financial well-being. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, matching 401k, Paid Time Off, paid holidays, training, and development, giving back to the community, remote work options, dog-friendly offices, and much more. Pine Gate Renewables is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Pine Gate Renewables does not accept any unsolicited resumes or referrals from any third-party recruiting firms or agencies.