Kirk McLean

Experienced professional in Renewable Energy, Technical Engineering and Management, Commercial, Industrial, Domestic, Hybrid Solar PV and Energy Storage Systems; with 10+ years of technical experience serving national and international markets in Environment, Sustainability and Renewable Energy. Possesses hands-on and corporate experience in supporting company owned and client sites. Leading installation and commissioning of renewal energy systems; providing BESS technical support and training.

Safety conscious, High standards and integrity. Delivery focused. Team player. A highly effective operator who is a self-starter and completer. Highly motivated, enthusiastic, self-confident and passionate about delivering Quality.

Passionate about energy efficiency and renewable energy. Excellent organisational skills including the ability to complete within deadlines.

O&M and Commissioning Manager C&I - Ameresco UK

(2024-09)

Supporting the delivery of multiple C&I Solar PV and BESS assets, overseeing and managing O&M and commissioning activities for industrial & commercial projects. Responsible for the management of the O&M plan and structure, overseeing all scope of works and activities including subcontractors, schedules, quality assurance, health & safety compliance, testing & inspection, and integration & optimization support for commercial Solar PV and BESS hybrid systems including EV charge station infrastructure. Supporting all stages of projects from tender, bid, client discussions, technical documentation, scope of design, development, implementation, delivery, pre-commissioning/commissioning sign-off and handover, O&M and M&V.

Technical Support Engineer - Alpha-ESS UK

(2022-12 - 2024-06)

Implementing scope of work whilst adhering to industry standards and specifications and maintaining safe systems of work with HV Energy Storage system commissioning activities. Conducting thorough inspection & testing, troubleshooting and system optimization of AC/DC and Hybrid coupled Solar PV and Energy Storage Systems.

• Co-ordinating with Engineering and Project Managers during the commissioning phase, ensuring compliance and documentation of hand over commissioned project to customers.
• Configuration of hybrid and battery power conversion systems (PCS). BMS, BMU and EMS programming for auxiliary integration and applications (Solar PV/ EV/ Concentrated Solar Thermal Power (CSP) / Micro-Generators and Smart Home Integration).
• Execution of preventative and corrective maintenance schedules and protocols to minimize downtime and maximize system efficiency. Performance monitoring.
• Leading technical training sessions for installers and service engineers providing training and support for continuous improvement.
• Customer relations acting as the primary point of contact for contractors and customers during installation and commissioning and throughout the service life of the equipment.
• Addressing customer inquiries and concerns directly and promptly, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction.
• Collaborating with sales and business development teams to identify opportunities for additional services and upgrades.
• Inspection & Testing of warranty equipment at test rigs and onsite.
• Installer and customer 2nd Line Helpdesk support

Solar Field Service Engineer - Lightsource BP

(2019-11 - 2022-11)

Authorized Personal performing utility scale Solar PV Reactive and Preventative Maintenance to ensure Operational Safety and Optimal Performance in line with good practice, manufacturer's instructions, and contract requirements.

• TEV testing, String and Central inverter LV Live work & Testing, Isolation, Inspection and Maintenance on Power Electronics Gen I&2, Schneider, ABB, SMA, Ingeteam, Siemens, Bonfiglioli. Preventative and Reactive Maintenance. Solar site management and monitoring.
• CCTV, Monitoring (InSolar), Weathering Station, DC Field, Aerial/Ground Thermal Inspections. Troubleshooting, Fault Diagnostics.
• High-Voltage Substation Entry/Soft HV, G59 Relay & Switchgear functional resetting and fault switching subject to authorization.
• Customer relations acting as the primary point of contact for contractors and customers during installation and commissioning and throughout the service life of the asset.

Energy Champion Solar PV - Bristol Energy Network

(2018-11 - 2019-11)

Supporting various renewable energy installation projects including domestic off grid solar systems with battery storage. Key responsibilities included facilitating solar workshops supporting grassroots energy programs and new solar energy start-up projects. Deployment of integrated smart technologies, mobility, and ICT solutions.

• Smart Energy Champion - REPLICATE Project: Renaissance in Places with Innovative Citizenship And Technology
• Energy Tracer - Heat Loss Surveying via Thermal Imaging - The C.H.E.E.S.E PROJECT (Cold Homes Energy Efficient Survey Experts)
• Off grid Solar Workshop Facilitator - DIY Solar Panel Workshops / Design and Production of Off Grid Mobile Solar Trailers with battery storage.

Solar PV & Water Services Field Engineer - International Water Security Network - Kisoro, Uganda

(2018-06 - 2018-08)

Internship with the University of the West of England to safeguard sustainable access to adequate quantities of and acceptable quality water for sustaining human well-being and socioeconomic development. Testing for protection against water-related disasters and pollution.

• Design and installation of off grid solar systems on various locations such as schools, laboratories, and emergency centres.
• Supporting engineering-related education, public engagement, and the application of research.
• Preserving ecosystems in a climate of peace and political stability.
• Field work in various locations in Kisoro, Uganda Mutanda Lake, Kitovo, Virunga Mountain Range.
• Water Innovation Lab and weather station installation and commissioning.
• Rain-water tank surveying and inspection, research data login.
• Water infrastructure, water analysis and sampling.
• Analysing microbiological water quality and data processing.
• Rainwater Harvesting Tank filtration design.
• Monitoring for significant bacteriological contamination of the stored rainwater.

O&M Service Technician - Ikaros Solar Group, UK

(2016-06 - 2016-09)

Temporarily contracted to be responsible for the day-to-day running of various commercial utility solar parks providing operational support to ensure peak performance.

• Preventative maintenance program: field inspection, and repairs.
• Generation statistics, remote fault monitoring and response to onsite performance problems.
• Daily reporting, planning and execution of a systematic approach to testing and rectification of PV systems including central and string inverters, SCB's, String faults.
• Satellite and communications troubleshooting, configuration, and repairs.
• Pyranometer and Ambient temperature sensor installation.
• Troubleshooting & Replacing Cluster Control units, Webdyn devices, Inverter Managers, CCTV.
• Inverter installation and maintenance AC/DC / Module, Varistors; Power Unit replacements.
• Provide supervision and assistance on project build of new commercial parks, site maintenance and preventative maintenance, commissioning.

O&M Electrician - J.T. Hawkes Electrical Contractors

(2015-07 - 2016-06)

Grid Connected Solar Farm Maintenance & Operations, Inspection & Testing, Preventative Maintenance, and reporting of various commercial PV sites.

• Planned and reactive maintenance activities relating to grounds, fences, security systems, mounting systems, enclosures, buildings, access tracks, cable management systems and aspects of the solar parks.
• Inspection and testing activities in line with good practice, manufacturer's instructions, and contract requirements. Planning and executing preventative maintenance and rectification works in line with agreed Risk Assessments and Method Statements. Management of sub-contractors, Site inductions. Records and reporting.

Improver Electrician & Groundworks Supervisor - British Solar Renewables

(2015-04 - 2015-06)

Construction development and installation project of a 62 MW solar farm.

• Ground works and Team Supervision.
• Overseeing location trench digging ops.
• Overseeing DC, Earthing & comms cable Installation. Inspection & Testing.
• Combiner Box and Inverter installation.
• Onsite Logistics.
• Client relations and Management.
• Quality Control, Health and Safety.

Solar Installer / PV Electrician / Roofer - PROLECTRIC, Clevedon UK

(2015-02 - 2015-04)

Contract work specializing in renewable technologies including Solar PV, solar LED street lighting, mobile temporary lighting, and micro scale wind turbines. Performed 2-3 domestic and commercial PV installs per day across SW UK with various duties according to install.

• Inspection and configuration prep.
• Mounting and system installation.
• Commissioning.
• Remote monitoring.

Solar Installer Southwick Solar Park UK - SOLAR CENTURY

(2014-12 - 2015-02)

Construction, installation, and commissioning project of 48 MW solar park.

• DC, Communications, and Inverter wiring. Panel Mounting; String Combiner Box installation.