UNEP’s Latin America and Caribbean Office (ROLAC) is in charge of the implementation of the “Generación SOLE” initiative. The initiative is aimed at building an enabling environment to highlight and accelerate private investment towards distributed solar photo-voltaic (PV) markets in LAC. This will be achieved through the generation and provision of the essential data and tools necessary to promote new business models and investments in the incipient small-scale solar PV market.
The consultant will develop certain tasks in order to support “Generación SOLE” initiative on:
1) Updating Distributed Solar PV Regional Report. “The state of Distributed Solar PV in Latin America and the Caribbean” Report, including new markets in the region that show progress in the development of distributed solar PV generation.
2) Developing a training course to promote Distributed Solar PV Financing, with the purpose of training and promoting the private banking subsector to develop specific products for distributed solar PV generation activity. Training course will expose the benefits of technology and the operation of the systems. The target audience of the course will be the commercial bank representatives, but without neglecting other public as policymakers, project developers, technology companies, solar PV panel installers, engineers, and anyone else interested on the financial aspects of distributed solar PV generation.
3) Development of support proposal for distributed solar PV financial mechanisms and technical assistance in Colombia and Panama.
4) Supporting the “Generación SOLE” initiative website on publishing the content and results of the Distributed Solar PV Regional Report, and promoting interaction with stakeholders, as well as detecting opportunities for the development of distributed solar generation and distributed energy resources in LAC.
5) Developing a second version of the Distributed Solar PV Regional Report – Outlook 2022, to keep track of the sector evolution throughout the year.
6) Developing and conducting a final workshop presentation of the second version of the Distributed Solar PV Regional Report – Outlook 2022
Responsibilities and Activities.
The consultant shall perform the following activities:
1. Distributed Solar PV Regional Report 2021 Update.
The report must contain:
a) The latest available information including 2021 year-end data in order to update the “The state of Distributed Solar PV in Latin America and the Caribbean” regional report. This report includes the following markets: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Puerto Rico, and Uruguay. Also, it should include a trend estimation to close 2021 date of the countries where December 2021 information is still not available up to February 2022. Data should include:
I. Installed capacity and number of installations,
II. DG regulatory updates,
III. Yearly growth up to December 2021.
b) A review of the country’s NDCs in relation to:
I. A brief detail of the long-term goals of each country
II. A brief detail of the action plans included on the NDC regarding renewable energy, distributed generation, or distributed energy resources.
This information should be included on the updated country profiles and regional report for the following countries: Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Uruguay.
c) A slide deck version of the regional report: “The state of Distributed Solar PV in Latin America and the Caribbean”, including key-takeaways as a summary for decision-makers.
The delivery of the reports must include databases containing all the information obtained in the preparation of the report and all products and results produced (spreadsheet, methodology, surveys, list of stakeholders from which data was gathered).
2. Distributed Solar PV Finance training course.
The consultant will develop a virtual course to train commercial bank representatives from Colombia and Panamá, to develop financial products for distributed solar PV systems.
This product should include:
a) Syllabus of the training course, including:
I. Introduction to the course;
II. Participant profile and target audience;
III. Type of certification;
IV. Tutor profile;
V. General and specific objectives;
VI. Skills to be developed by the participant;
VII. Methodology, specifying quantity of modules, type of contents and materials included in the training course;
VIII. Schedule and length of each module of the training course;
IX. Contents of each module;
X. Activities and final evaluation.
b) Development of course materials for each module. Modules should contain the following topics:
I. Distributed Solar PV introduction (what is it, how it works, technical aspects, etc.);
II. Benefits of distributed solar PV: economic, social and environmental benefits;
III. Regulatory framework overview for distributed solar PV in Colombia and Panamá;
IV. Investment costs, operation costs and other economical variables including revenue and savings from installing a distributed solar PV system in Colombia and Panama;
V. Economic viability analysis for three types of systems: residential, commercial and industrial systems;
VI. Market potential and business opportunity for Colombia and Panamá;
VII. Commonly utilized financing mechanisms for distributed solar PV.
For each module, contents should be presented with:
I. A power point presentation with the main concepts, guidance and explanations, to ensure that participants understand acquire the knowledge set out in the general and specific objectives;
II. A document referencing supporting bibliography and media material, such us links to online videos, web pages of institutional and knowledge platforms related to the module.
c) Design a practical activity for final evaluation. As an activity for final evaluation, a practical application exercise should be developed on an Excel spreadsheet, where the participant can evaluate the economic viability of a project for the residential, commercial and industrial sector.
d) Design a brochure of the training course detailing the course contents included in the syllabus.
The content (syllabus, materials of each module, activity and brochure) will be delivered in a power point presentation, excel spreadsheet and text documents, in Spanish language.
3. Support the “Generación SOLE” initiative website:
The consultant will have to prepare and deliver:
a) Organize 4 online events (1-hour webinars) with the objective of achieving interaction between LAC countries authorities and stakeholders, and foster distributed solar PV practice community. Webinars will include country success cases and the exchange of information regarding any of the following topics:
I. DG Regulatory framework,
II. DG Financing and incentives,
III. DG Business models,
IV. DG Growth strategies,
V. Online tools for managing DG authorization and procedures,
VI. Other topics of interest.
For each event, the following should be developed:
I. Agenda for the event, indicating speakers and guests and an online invitation guidance.
II. Interaction modality and supporting materials (such as a Power Point presentation) with main results and takeaways or any other content to be published on “Generación SOLE” platform.
b) Support the development of a dashboard for “Generación SOLE” web platform containing visualizations of the information resulting from the DG regional report. The dashboard should be able to show individual information of each country, and aggregated information for LAC region and subregions. Information should include:
I. Type of DG regulation (Act, resolution, other);
II. Type of implemented mechanism (net-metering, net-billing, other)
III. Installed capacity and systems quantity (annual and cumulative);
IV. Yearly growth (% and absolute);
V. Sectors using DG (residential, commercial, industrial, agriculture, etc.) when possible;
VI. Current incentives for DG (net metering, import tariff exemptions, tax reductions).
VII. Other specific information of interest that it is included on the DG Regional Report.
4. Development of support proposal for distributed solar PV financial mechanisms in Colombia and Panama:
The consultant shall develop a project support proposal in full, following the indications of the Climate Change Unit of UNEP’s Latin American and Caribbean Office. This implies the delivery of a support proposal along with the budget, procurement and implementation plan according to the requirements established.
The proposal must be targeted to supporting the development of distributed solar PV generation in Colombia and Panama through financial mechanisms and technical assistance, in alignment with the Paris Agreement climate change goals.
5. Distributed Solar PV Regional Report – 2022 OUTLOOK
The consultant will carry out a regional survey to develop the second version of “The state of Distributed Solar PV in Latin America and the Caribbean” – 2022 outlook, that shall contain
a) A document with 2022 updated information of the Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, México, Panamá, Puerto Rico, República Dominicana and Uruguay. The document with the following sections:
1. Introduction:
a. Executive summary.
b. Distributed energy resources (technology overview including distributed generation, energy storage, microgrids, demand response and community solar).
2. Regional trends analysis (regional conclusions and overview based on country profile research):
a. Status of Distributed generation in LAC (highlight regional progress, policy effectiveness, key indicators, job creation, others);
b. Deployment of other distributed energy resources;
c. Main challenges and opportunities ahead;
d. Case studies and success stories.
3. Country profiles (for each country):
a. Distributed generation regulation (net-metering, net-billing, feed-in-tariff, buy-all-sell-all, others);
b. Maximum distributed generation system size;
c. Current installed capacity on DG (amount and capacity);
d. Yearly growth (% and absolute) from previous years;
e. Sectors using DG (residential, commercial, industrial, agriculture, etc.);
f. Typical investment pay-back period;
g. National targets and goals for DG and/or DERs;
h. Current incentives for DERs (net metering, import tariff exemptions, tax reductions, etc.);
i. Government programs supporting DERs;
j. Yearly electricity demand and generation sources;
k. Main country stakeholders and contact list (including government authorities, regulators and solar associations).
b) Also, this second version should include the state of DG market and its development on other four (4) countries of LAC region. When the regulatory framework is already implemented and the information is available, the country profile should include what is described in section 6.3 “Country Profile”. Countries to be agreed with UNEP.
6. Final Workshop and presentation: Distributed Solar PV Regional Report – 2022 OUTLOOK presentation and Slide Deck version of the report
The consultant will have to prepare and deliver:
a) a presentation for an online webinar on the report’s findings,
d) a slide deck version of the regional report: “The state of Distributed Solar PV in Latin America and the Caribbean”, including key-takeaways as a summary for decision-makers.
Content Delivery
All information is to be supplied in Spanish on editable digital format. All copyright on the developed materials belongs to UNEP.
Product No 1: “The state of Distributed Solar PV in Latin America and the Caribbean” Regional Report Update (outlook 2021), including section 2.a) and b).
And the Slide Deck version of the report included in c).
Product No. 2: Text document with the Syllabus, as detailed in section 2. a).
Product No. 3: Power Point presentation and documents containing the materials for each module as detailed in section 2.b). Also, an Excel Spreadsheet with the activity for final evaluation (detailed in section 2.c)). and the Brochure of the training course in a text document (detailed in section 2.d).
Product No. 4: Document describing organized webinars topics and supporting materials, as well as “Generacion SOLE” website dashboard structure, with screenshots of its implementation.
Product No. 5: Documents required for support proposal, including budget, procurement and implementation plan according to the established requirements.
Product No. 6: A document including the updated version of the regional report up to December, as detailed in section 5.a).
Product No. 7: A document including the information in section 5. b).
Product No. 8: Distributed Solar PV Regional Report – 2022 Outlook presentation to stakeholders (detailed in section 6.a)) and a Slide deck version (detailed in section 6.b)).
Home-based
12 months.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is the leading environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes the coherent implementation of the environmental dimension of sustainable development within the United Nations system and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.
The UNEP Latin America and the Caribbean Office (ROLAC), located in Panama City, works closely with the 33 countries of the region and its activities are integrated into the Medium Term Strategy and the Programme of Work approved by the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).
Under a business-as-usual scenario, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the power sector in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) are expected to double by 2050, with natural gas projected as the major source of electricity generation accounting for more than 30% of the total. This scenario is not compatible with the commitments established by the nations under the Paris Agreement.
Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) has the cleanest power matrix in the world where renewables already account for 58% of the total installed capacity with hydropower as the largest source (46%). Additionally, non-conventional renewables have doubled their installed capacity since 2012, accounting for 12% of the total in 2018. Therefore, the region has a competitive advantage on where to launch the energy transition. Distributed generation is expected to play a significant role in this transition.
At the moment, this subsector continues to show substantial growth year after year. Monitoring the development of the distributed generation activity and the launch of other distributed energy resources, is essential to visualize the relevant information, analyze results, propose changes and make decisions, with the aim of accelerating the energy transition in the region.
Financing also stands out as a key opportunity to accelerate and catalyze the sector. According to studies carried out by “Generación Sole” initiative , a lack of experience and knowledge has been detected on the part of private banks (investors) and potential clients (users) regarding the benefits of technology and the operation of the systems.
On the other hand, through the “Generación SOLE” initiative platform, there is the opportunity to reach other sources of financing to contribute to the countries of the region in their activities related to the development of distributed solar generation.
At last, making visible and exchanging best practices to help policymakers to design successful regulatory frameworks and specific programs, as well as communicating about the execution of projects and promotion regimes that have triggered the deployment of distributed generation in LAC, is important to move towards the energy transition. This interaction may be feasible by “Generación SOLE” initiative platform.
For what was previously specified, UNEP ROLAC is seeking a third party to nourish the “Generación SOLE” platform. The products needed will contribute to generate content, interaction with stakeholders, as well as detecting opportunities for the development of distributed solar generation and distributed energy resources in LAC.
For its development, UNEP is seeking a consultant with a background working in this type of assessments and experience in the energy sector.
The consultant will work from home and will be supervised by the Climate Change Coordinator for Latin America and the Caribbean .
Academic Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in energy, engineering, environment or related fields is required;
Experience:
- Minimum 7 years’ experience working on engineering, technology analysis and/or consulting in the energy sector is required;
- Familiarity with renewable energy, in particular distributed generation and distributed energy resources;
- Experience working with governments, regulators, renewable energy associations is desirable.
- Knowledge of the national reality of renewables, especially solar energy in LAC, is desirable;
- Knowledge of the global and regional trends on distributed solar generation is desirable;
Language:
- Fluent in Spanish and English is required.
Skills:
- Demonstrates integrity and ethical standards;
- Mature judgment and initiative;
- Ability to think out-of-the-box;
- Ability to present complex issues in simple and clear manner;
- Ability to work under pressure and deliver high quality results on time;
- Initiative and independence;
- Good communication and organizational skills, with demonstrated evidence of capacity to produce and present good reports.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills;
- Analytic capacity and demonstrated ability to process, analyses and synthesize complex, technical information from different disciplines;
- Adequate computer literacy;
- Knowledge of excel.
THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CHARGE A FEE AT ANY STAGE OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS (APPLICATION, INTERVIEW MEETING, PROCESSING, OR TRAINING). THE UNITED NATIONS DOES NOT CONCERN ITSELF WITH INFORMATION ON APPLICANTS’ BANK ACCOUNTS.