| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Energy and Solar |
| Level | Senior management |
| Reports to | Head of Renewable Energy Business |
| Direct reports | Solar Project Manager, Commissioning Engineer, Solar Design Engineer |
| Experience | 12+ years in solar EPC with 4 years leading projects |
Head of Solar Projects job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: Head of Solar Projects
Department: Energy and Solar
Reports to: Head of Renewable Energy Business
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A Head of Solar Projects leads the execution of a company's solar projects from award to commissioning. They set project standards, lead project managers, control cost, schedule, quality and safety across sites, and hand over plants that perform. The role reports to the Head of Renewable Energy Business. A good head of solar projects delivers plants on time and budget that generate to design, keeps site safety strong, and builds a delivery team and process that scale as the portfolio grows.
Key responsibilities
- Set delivery standards, processes and targets for all solar projects.
- Lead solar project managers and hold each project to cost, schedule and quality.
- Review project progress across sites and remove blockers to delivery.
- Control project budgets, procurement and contractor performance across the portfolio.
- Ensure engineering, design and quality standards are met on every project.
- Own site safety and enforce the safety plan across all project locations.
- Manage major risks, changes and claims on projects with the commercial team.
- Coordinate commissioning and grid connection so plants generate on schedule.
- Hand over completed plants to operations with complete records.
- Build the project delivery team and develop project managers.
Requirements
- Engineering degree in electrical or mechanical
- Project management certification is an advantage
- Extensive solar EPC experience
- 12+ years in solar EPC with 4 years leading projects
KRAs and KPIs for a Head of Solar Projects
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| On-time delivery | Projects commissioned by the committed date on most of the portfolio |
| Cost control | Projects delivered within the approved budget across the portfolio |
| Quality and generation | Commissioned plants meeting the design performance ratio at handover |
| Site safety | Zero fatality and lost time incidents within the safety target on sites |
| Contractor performance | Contractor milestones met with penalties and reworks below the target |
| Team capability | Project manager positions filled and developed against the plan |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: Project scheduling software, AutoCAD and PVsyst, Cost and procurement trackers, Quality and safety checklists, Generation and test reports.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Head of Renewable Energy Business, Chief Operating Officer, Projects Director
Interview questions for a Head of Solar Projects
- How do you keep several solar projects on schedule and budget at once?
- How do you manage an EPC contractor that is falling behind?
- How do you make sure a plant will meet its design performance ratio?
- How do you drive safety across remote project sites?
- How do you handle a major design or grid connection delay?
- Describe the largest solar project you delivered and its challenges.
Managing a Head of Solar Projects in ZeniaHR
Hire and manage your energy and solar team in one place
Post the role, onboard the new hire, and track attendance, leave and KRAs in ZeniaHR. Free for your first 50 employees.
Book a free demoSee pricingFrequently asked questions
What does a head of solar projects do?
A head of solar projects leads the execution of a company's solar projects from award to commissioning. They set delivery standards, lead project managers, and control cost, schedule, quality and safety across sites. They hand over plants that generate to design, keep site safety strong, and build a delivery team that scales as the portfolio grows.
What qualifications do you need to head solar projects?
Most heads of solar projects hold an engineering degree in electrical or mechanical, with a project management certification as an advantage. Employers look for extensive solar EPC experience, a track record of delivering plants on time and budget, strong contract and cost control, safety leadership, and the ability to lead project managers.
What is the performance ratio of a solar plant?
The performance ratio is a measure of how efficiently a solar plant converts available sunlight into usable electricity, after losses like heat, wiring, soiling and downtime. It is a key quality target at handover. A head of solar projects makes sure the plant is built and commissioned to meet its design performance ratio.