Consultant – Agri-PV System Design

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Bangladesh.

📋 Description

• Evaluate the technical viability of incorporating Agri-PV systems with current and new solar irrigation pump infrastructures in Bangladesh.

• Enhance Agri-PV system designs through engineering simulations to optimize clean energy production based on local climatic conditions.

• Assess crop performance under Agri-PV systems by creating calibrated crop growth models utilizing field-generated agronomic data and light-response evaluations.

• Offer technical guidance for the pilot implementation and expansion of Agri-PV systems, merging engineering and agricultural factors to promote sustainable deployment in Bangladesh.

• Create a detailed Agri-PV design package encompassing two pilot models in Bangladesh: Pilot 1: Retrofitting an existing multi-leg solar PV structure at the ESDO Gorgori site in Alamdanga; Pilot 2: Designing a new elevated monopole Agri-PV structure for a second ESDO site.

• Identify technically feasible, agronomically appropriate, and financially sustainable Agri-PV configurations that maintain the primary function of solar irrigation pump systems while enabling productive agricultural use beneath and around the solar arrays.

• Execute interconnected work packages: Agronomic Design Simulation, PV Layout and Energy Optimization, Structural Design and Engineering, Business Model and Scale-Up Inputs, ensuring that agronomic needs inform PV layout design, optimized layouts direct structural design, and the final technical configuration supports energy yield assessment, cost evaluation, and business model development.

• Deliverables will include an Inception Note and Design Basis, Agronomic and Light Simulation Report, PV Layout and Energy Optimization Report, Structural Design and Engineering Package, Business Model and Cost Inputs Note, and a Final Integrated Technical Report.

⛳️ Requirements

• A valid company registration certificate for the country of incorporation.

• A company profile detailing legal status, year of establishment, office locations, and areas of expertise.

• A valid Tax Registration Certificate (if applicable).

• At least five (5) years of proven experience in solar PV system design, encompassing both ground-mounted and elevated structures.

• Demonstrated experience in Agri-PV design, including structural design, agronomic evaluation, crop simulation, and energy yield analysis.

• Experience working in South Asia or similar agro-climatic contexts, ideally in Bangladesh or India.

• A minimum of ten (10) years of experience in solar PV system design (preferred).

• Extensive knowledge in Agri-PV system design and implementation (preferred).

• Proven expertise in Agri-PV system design and optimization, incorporating agriculture and solar energy systems.

• Strong background in PV system design, which includes panel layout optimization, tilt angle and orientation analysis, and energy yield modeling (including bifacial systems, where applicable).

• Demonstrated experience in the structural design of elevated solar PV systems, including wind load assessment, structural stability analysis, and foundation design and evaluation.

• Experience in techno-economic analysis, including cost benchmarking and energy-agriculture trade-off assessments.

• The consultant should clearly outline their proposed methodology for delivering the assignment, which includes:

• - Methodology for integrating agronomic analysis with PV design.

• - Approach to light (PAR) modeling and crop suitability assessment.

• - Strategy for PV layout optimization, considering spacing, tilt, and bifacial factors.

• - Methodology for structural analysis, encompassing wind load and foundation evaluation.

• - Approach to aligning energy generation with irrigation demands and business model inputs.

• - Understanding of the Bangladesh context and implementation challenges.

🏝️ Benefits

• IWMI provides a competitive rate for this assignment.

• The contract duration will be for a period of two (02) months.