Solar Fund Manager

SUMMARY

Solar for All Arizonans is a transformational opportunity for the State of Arizona to bring the benefits of the state’s abundant solar resources to the state’s low-income and disadvantaged communities. Arizona is one of the sunniest states, with one of the nation’s fastest growing solar markets. Yet the benefits of solar markets are not currently distributed fairly across Arizona’s diverse communities. This program will provide more than $150M in EPA investments to bring extensive benefits to low-income and disadvantaged communities through innovative solar deployments and long-term changes to solar markets. 

Solar for All Arizonans will deploy approximately 61 MW of additional new solar dedicated to supporting low-income and CEJST designated disadvantaged communities, as designated under the EPA Solar-for-All definition. This initiative will use three strategies to expand innovative market mechanisms that support deployment of solar energy in low-income and disadvantaged communities: (1) expand rooftop solar ownership, (2) create for the first time a collective neighborhood solar program, and (3) pilot a solar-plus-storage resilience program.

This position is dependent on a federally funded grant which expires in April, 2029.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Direct and oversee the development of innovative financial mechanisms to support solar energy by removing financial barriers and other constraints that prevent low-income and disadvantaged households from adopting solar. 
• Mobilize additional private capital to supplement federal investments and establish an evergreen Solar Revolving Loan Fund that creates long-term solar markets serving low-income and disadvantaged communities beyond the 5-year project period.
• Help build a strong Solar Community of Practice that significantly enhances the knowledge and skills of professionals across multiple sectors, including the solar and financial industries, local governments, permitters, housing and real estate, utilities, and others. Activities will include providing technical assistance and sharing of best practices in effectively serving and benefitting low-income and disadvantaged communities.
• With other SFA AZ program managers and other relevant partners, help develop critically needed workforce development pathways to quality green jobs for residents of low-income, disadvantaged, rural, and Tribal communities.
• Manage and provide administrative support and state coordination on all grant funded projects from scoping to final completion, including working with State compliance and procurement staff;
• Work closely with relevant OOR staff and grant funded consultants and contractors to ensure grant funded deliverable completion; 
• Serve as the primary contact for all state agencies and coordinating contractors for the purposes of Fund management.
• This position will report directly to the Arizona Governor’s Office of Resiliency Director. 

PROGRAM AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Financial Oversight: Oversee all financial aspects of the program and its projects, ensuring robust financial health and sustainability. 
• Budget Management: Manage budgets, forecast financial needs, and ensure efficient allocation and utilization of resources for the program. 
• Financial Controls and Monitoring: Implement financial controls and monitoring mechanisms to ensure that program deliverables are achieved within budgetary constraints. 
• Mentor SFA AZ Program Managers in the area of compliance and financial reporting best practices. Continuously monitor staff’s compliance to standards. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years in relevant program management and/or project leadership in distributed solar and battery industries.
• BA/BS degree in accounting, finance, or other relevant field. 
• Leadership and team management skills.
• Proficiency in federal program management. 
• Expertise in budget management and contract negotiation. 
• Understanding of applicable federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to grants and grants management procedures.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Ability to work in diverse political and cultural environments.
• Knowledge of the distributed solar industry market trends and technologies. 
• Experience engaging with communities historically underrepresented or underserved in the energy sector. 
• Experience structuring debt and equity investment programs.

EXAMPLES OF RELATED DEGREES

Economics, finance, accounting, political science, public policy, public administration, business, planning, or other social sciences.