Company Profile

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) is the national trade association for the solar and storage industry and represents more 1,000 member companies and 255,000 Americans working across the United States. SEIA is leading the transformation to a clean energy economy and is creating the framework for solar to reach 30% of U.S. electricity generation by 2030. We work with our member companies and strategic partners to fight for policies that create jobs in every community and shape fair market rules that promote competition and the growth of reliable, low-cost solar power.

SEIA does this by supporting pro-solar policies at the state and federal level, developing cutting-edge market research, hosting educational events and webinars, and serving as the voice of the solar and storage industry.

SEIA employees are passionate, forward-thinking leaders that start every day knowing that their work makes a difference. SEIA values diversity and fosters an inclusive, lively company culture that celebrates team success. The association has earned numerous awards for its work and company culture and was named by the Nonprofit Times as one of the “Best Nonprofits to Work For” in America in April 2022.

Position Summary

As SEIA expands our advocacy and programmatic support for competitive deployment of solar and energy storage on the grid, we are seeking a subject matter expert to bolster our capacity and support a variety of organizational functions. As the solar industry scales, opening and expanding competitive markets for energy storage technology, both distributed and grid-scale, will be tantamount to our success.  SEIA is the only national advocate for independent power producers and other market participants seeking open competition for storage deployment, whether paired with solar and other clean energy technologies or as a standalone resource.  But clean energy deployment will be held back without improvement in interconnection timing, cost, and transparency, and interconnection of storage assets is critical to ensuring reliability to the changing grid.

The Director of Storage & Interconnection Policy reports to the Senior Director of Utility Regulation and Policy, works closely with the Vice President of State & Regulatory Affairs, and will act as SEIA’s technical and policy lead on RTO and distribution-level interconnection advocacy, and the regulation of and market dynamics for energy storage. The Director will advise the Congressional, State and Regulatory Affairs departments on policy design to optimize outcomes for energy storage companies, and coordinate with SEIA’s research, communications, and technical services teams.  The Director will participate in industry working groups and may provide expert testimony in regulatory and/or RTO proceedings. Successful candidates will understand both the solar and storage business and the regulatory regimes at the state and regional level that will impact long-term growth.

Core Duties & Responsibilities

• Provide technical and policy support in RTO stakeholder proceedings, FERC proceedings, and state regulatory proceedings (including participation in working groups and expert witness testimony).
• Act as SEIA’s expert on technical aspects of interconnection for solar and energy storage resources, for both behind-the-meter, distribution-level, and utility-scale markets.
• Coordinate/collaborate with SEIA’s Technical Services teams on necessary installation rules, codes, and standards requirements to realize advocacy wins.
• Provide guidance and strategic insight to SEIA Executives on organizational planning and project development as it relates to solar + storage and standalone storage advocacy.
• Advise the SEIA Membership Team in identifying and recruiting potential companies to engage in the association’s work on energy storage issues.
• Manage technical consultants and lobbyists in relevant legislative or regulatory proceedings.
• Developing and maintaining talking points and messaging for use by policy and communications staff.
• Collaborates with SEIA’s Communications team, Research team, Federal Affairs staff, and SEIA members to formulate talking points and incorporate communications strategy into SEIA’s advocacy initiatives.
• Communicates with SEIA members, organizes committee and working group activities, and responds to member company inquiries.

Professional Experience, Education & Other Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree or above in a related field. Degrees in technical areas are welcomed.
• 5-10 years of experience in related fields and disciplines.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills, for both expert and general audiences.
• Ability to translate technical issues to policymakers, through written testimony and oral presentations.
• Strong understanding of storage and energy market opportunities, including value stacking, tradeoffs, DER aggregation, development, alignment with codes and standards, interconnection, and communications protocols.
• Strong understanding of interconnection standards, rules and barriers, at either or both of the distribution level or the wholesale level.
• Experience originating, and developing solar and/or storage projects, including managing interconnection, is a plus.
• Experience with policy advocacy around solar, energy storage and interconnection advocacy, is a plus.

Working Conditions

Work is in an office environment or in a remote-office environment that is suitably equipped with internet and telephone access.

Compensation Range

$115,000 - $135,000 annually, based on experience, and excellent benefits package.

To Apply

Please submit a cover letter, resume, and salary requirement to [email protected] with the subject “2022 Director of Storage & Interconnection Policy.” Submissions that are in the form of a single Word or PDF document facilitate review and are preferred.

Please name all files using the following format: "[name]_[document title]_SEIA." No calls please; direct applicants only, no search or placement firms.

Working at SEIA

SEIA values diversity, inclusion and equity within our organization and the promotion of these values across the solar industry. We strive to welcome different perspectives, identities, and backgrounds, regardless of job function in order to create a more resilient organization that supports a strong, equitable solar industry. SEIA envisions an industry that is committed to fostering a culture of inclusivity. We aim to achieve this by encouraging openness and transparency about diversity issues and progress. We will develop strategies, programs, and tools that seek to equalize opportunities within SEIA and allow for discussing and sharing best practices within the solar industry.

SEIA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, homelessness, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. SEIA complies with applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which we employ staff. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.