Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Project Manager, Infrastructure Delivery

at Clean Power Alliance

🏢 About Clean Power Alliance

Clean Power Alliance is California's largest community choice aggregator, uniquely positioned to accelerate the transition to renewable energy by giving Southern California communities direct control over their electricity sources. Unlike traditional utilities, CPA empowers local communities to choose cleaner energy options while reinvesting in local renewable projects. Working here means contributing directly to California's ambitious climate goals while serving diverse communities across the region.

About This Role

This Senior Project Manager role specifically focuses on behind-the-meter solar PV and battery storage projects from development through commercial operation, requiring deep technical knowledge of distributed energy resources. You'll be the primary technical liaison between CPA and external contractors/O&M providers, ensuring projects meet technical standards while supporting CPA's mission of expanding clean energy access. This position directly impacts CPA's ability to deliver reliable, locally-sourced renewable energy to Southern California communities.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves coordinating with design-build contractors on active behind-the-meter projects, reviewing technical submittals for PV and battery systems, analyzing project performance data, and preparing reports for internal stakeholders. You might spend the morning troubleshooting a permitting issue with a Southern California utility and the afternoon developing technical standards improvements based on market trends.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Clean Power Alliance Is Looking For

  • Has 5+ years of hands-on project management experience specifically with behind-the-meter solar PV and BESS projects (not just utility-scale solar)
  • Can demonstrate technical expertise with specific equipment like microgrid controllers, inverters, and battery storage systems used in distributed generation
  • Has experience managing the full project lifecycle from early development through commercial operation for behind-the-meter projects
  • Understands the unique challenges of working with multiple Southern California utilities (SCE, SDG&E, LADWP) on interconnection and permitting

📝 Tips for Applying to Clean Power Alliance

1

Quantify your experience with behind-the-meter projects specifically - mention number of projects, total capacity (kW/MW), and types of sites (commercial rooftops, carports, etc.)

2

Highlight any experience with Southern California-specific regulations, utilities, or incentive programs like SGIP (Self-Generation Incentive Program)

3

Demonstrate knowledge of CPA's specific programs by mentioning their existing community solar or local renewable projects in your application

4

Include specific examples of managing technical stakeholders like design-build contractors and O&M providers for distributed energy projects

5

Show how you've contributed to improving technical standards or processes in previous renewable energy roles

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with behind-the-meter solar and storage projects (not just utility-scale)', "How you've successfully managed the full project lifecycle from development to commercial operation", 'Your technical knowledge of PV modules, BESS systems, and microgrid controllers relevant to distributed generation', "Why you're passionate about CPA's community-focused model and serving Southern California specifically"]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → CPA's specific renewable energy programs and projects in Southern California communities
  • → California's behind-the-meter incentive programs (SGIP, NEM 3.0 implications)
  • → CPA's technical standards or specifications for distributed energy resources if publicly available
  • → The specific challenges of serving multiple Southern California utilities and communities

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk through your experience managing a behind-the-meter solar+storage project from early development to commercial operation
2 How would you handle a conflict between a design-build contractor's approach and CPA's technical standards?
3 What specific challenges have you faced with interconnection or permitting for behind-the-meter projects in California?
4 How do you stay current with evolving battery storage technologies and microgrid controllers?
5 Describe how you would track and report project performance metrics to demonstrate value to CPA's member communities
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on utility-scale solar experience without demonstrating behind-the-meter project expertise
  • Generic project management experience without renewable energy or construction sector specifics
  • Not understanding CPA's community choice aggregation model and how it differs from traditional utilities

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Clean Power Alliance!

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