Consultant: Photovoltaic Farm Expert

Tasks & Expected Output

Tasks:

The consultant will be hired by UNDP-CEDRO Project in Lebanon and will report to the CEDRO Project in Beirut. Two missions are required to Lebanon, each lasting up to 5 working days. UNDP will cover air travel and daily subsistence allowance (DSA) during mission days in line with UNDP regulations.

Under the overall guidance of the personnel mentioned above, the consultant will be responsible for the following tasks.

• Review relevant documents (reports, plans, acts, legislation, procedures, studies/assessments on PV systems, especially large-scale, in Lebanon).
• Identify, in close collaboration with the UNDP project managers, the key stakeholders to be involved in the formulation and implementation of the project, including private sector companies who can share data on the various aspects of PV farms in Lebanon, including associated risks and costs,
• Assess the local climatic data in various regions in Lebanon which would dictate the output of the PV farm
• Assess the current electricity network infrastructure in the various regions of Lebanon, including a review of the possible network investments already in the pipeline in accordance with the MEW Policy paper, so to assess the network constraints, opportunities and/or requirements to connect a PV farm to the grid.
• Assess the legal and regulatory frameworks and any required amendment(s) to pave the way for a PV farm
• Assess any possible negative environmental impacts of PV farms in Lebanon
• Implement a financial feasibility study of the PV farm, indicating clearly the required power purchasing agreement or feed-in tariff level that would make the project feasible in Lebanon – with and without taking account of possible carbon credits. At least three size options are required which take account of size (capacity), type of PV module used, and fixed versus tracking systems options.
• Prepare the bidding documents for the first PV farm in Lebanon, including the full required technical and standard specifications
• Half-day workshop and workshop materials expected on PV farms in Lebanon to various stakeholders identified and invited by the CEDRO project and the LCEC, the material and delivery of presentations of which are to be presented by the hired consultant.

Outputs and due dates:

1. First draft report due by: 15 December 2010 (tentative date)
1 = 25% payment

2. Final draft report including bidding documents due by: tentative deadline 30 January 2011
3. Half day workshop including workshop material due by: tentative date 3 February 2011
2 & 3 = 75% payment

Payment Schedule

• Upon submission of first draft report: 25%
• Upon final delivery of final report and workshop: 75%

• Experience in proposal writing to the UNDP or other multi-donor trust funds is preferable.
• Knowledge of the Lebanese environmental and political situation is a plus.

Education:

• Advanced degree(s) in energy systems; with particular focus on solar power systems and PV farms

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of project development experience
• Knowledge of PV farms technicalities and financial feasibility
• Knowledge of UNDP, or other Implementing/Executing Agency policies and procedures;
• Experience working with developing country governments and UN and other international agencies an asset;
• Excellent writing, computer and communication skills;
• Willingness to travel within Lebanon is required.

Language Requirements:

• The consultant should have excellent verbal and written knowledge of English.