Qcells North America
Manager, New Homes Utility Interconnections
Qcells North America, Teaneck, New Jersey, United States
Manager, New Homes Utility Interconnections
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Base pay range $95,000.00/yr - $135,000.00/yr
Description Qcells North America is seeking a Manager of New Home Utility Interconnections to oversee end-to-end processing of utility interconnection applications for solar, battery storage, and smart energy systems in new home communities. This role will execute and improve day-to-day workflows, submit and track PTO applications, resolve utility rejections, and ensure all documentation, data, and timelines meet internal SLAs and utility requirements. The ideal candidate is a detail-driven operations professional with experience in high-volume process management, utility or permitting workflows, and cross-functional coordination across design, field operations, sales, builders, and electric utilities. This person will play a critical role in building scalable interconnection processes as Qcells expands its new home solar footprint across California and other U.S. markets.
Responsibilities
Execute and manage day-to-day interconnection workflows for new home solar and storage installations, ensuring timely and accurate submission of Permission to Operate (PTO) applications across California IOUs and municipal utilities.
Research new electric utilities as they are added to the builder portfolio to determine suitability for solar and/or solar + storage interconnections.
Document each utility’s interconnection processes, timelines, fees, net metering policies, metering requirements, and any applicable restrictions or rate structures for accurate Salesforce record creation.
Coordinate with builder contacts to secure all necessary utility authorization agreements, letters of authorization (LOAs), or portal credentials when submitting PTO applications under the builder’s utility account when applicable.
Collaborate with the Customer Experience team to obtain homeowner information, signatures, or post-closing support documentation when required for application completion.
Monitor Salesforce records for interconnection-related milestones, documentation requirements, and application statuses; ensure data is accurately captured and maintained across home, contract, and interconnection records.
Identify and resolve interconnection rejections or utility deficiencies by coordinating with design, operations, legal, and field teams; ensure all necessary corrections are implemented and resubmitted promptly.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to build scalable SOPs, documentation templates, and utility-specific process maps that align with evolving interconnection rules and builder timelines.
Partner with IT and Salesforce administrators to flag and improve automation workflows, including PDF generation, status tracking, and utility-specific triggers.
Track interconnection KPIs and help design Salesforce reports and dashboards to measure application turnaround times, rejection rates, utility performance, and internal processing gaps.
Serve as the primary point of contact for coordinating with installation partners, field inspectors, and utility representatives when escalations or on-the-ground troubleshooting is required.
Support the Senior Manager of Interconnections in scaling the department, training new hires, identifying automation opportunities, and continuously optimizing processes for future utility and VPP integrations.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Energy Systems, Public Policy, or a related field, with a minimum of 8+ years of professional work experience including 5-8+ years of work experience in utility interconnection, solar operations, or energy project management; at least 2+ years in a direct solar interconnection, permitting, or program management role.
Familiarity with California IOU and municipal utility interconnection processes (e.g., PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SMUD), including net energy metering (NEM), Rule 21, PTO workflows, and experience tracking and resolving common rejection types.
Experience using Salesforce or similar CRMs to manage complex operational workflows, with strong data hygiene and reporting instincts.
Ability to read and interpret solar and storage system design sets, single-line diagrams, site plans, and technical documentation to coordinate interconnection submissions and correct rejection issues.
Excellent organizational and communication skills to coordinate with builders, internal teams (e.g., sales, design, customer experience), and utility representatives across multiple projects and timelines.
Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and comfort navigating regulatory, technical, and policy nuances in utility procedures; capable of identifying long-term process improvements.
Proactive, self-motivated, and adaptable team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is excited by the opportunity to help build a department.
Preferred Qualifications
Direct experience submitting interconnection applications through PowerClerk, WDT/NBT portals, utility self‑service platforms, or other digital PTO workflows.
Previous work with high‑volume new home solar or storage programs, especially in partnership with production builders or financing providers.
Familiarity with Salesforce automation, workflow builders, or document‑generation tools (e.g., Conga, Formstack, DocuSign Gen) used to streamline operational processes.
Knowledge of California Rule 21, NEM 3.0, ACC export compensation, and utility‑specific ESS requirements, including Attachment E, load calcs, and SLD correction cycles.
Experience developing SOPs, training documentation, or performance dashboards for process‑driven teams.
Ability to travel (10%) periodically for team and cross‑functional meetings.
Hanwha Q CELLS America Inc. (“HQCA”) is a Qcells company headquartered in Irvine, California, expanding its business in North America through distributed energy solutions, direct-to-homeowner solar sales and financing, and EPC services. This role offers an opportunity to be part of an exciting and growing global business.
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Base pay range $95,000.00/yr - $135,000.00/yr
Description Qcells North America is seeking a Manager of New Home Utility Interconnections to oversee end-to-end processing of utility interconnection applications for solar, battery storage, and smart energy systems in new home communities. This role will execute and improve day-to-day workflows, submit and track PTO applications, resolve utility rejections, and ensure all documentation, data, and timelines meet internal SLAs and utility requirements. The ideal candidate is a detail-driven operations professional with experience in high-volume process management, utility or permitting workflows, and cross-functional coordination across design, field operations, sales, builders, and electric utilities. This person will play a critical role in building scalable interconnection processes as Qcells expands its new home solar footprint across California and other U.S. markets.
Responsibilities
Execute and manage day-to-day interconnection workflows for new home solar and storage installations, ensuring timely and accurate submission of Permission to Operate (PTO) applications across California IOUs and municipal utilities.
Research new electric utilities as they are added to the builder portfolio to determine suitability for solar and/or solar + storage interconnections.
Document each utility’s interconnection processes, timelines, fees, net metering policies, metering requirements, and any applicable restrictions or rate structures for accurate Salesforce record creation.
Coordinate with builder contacts to secure all necessary utility authorization agreements, letters of authorization (LOAs), or portal credentials when submitting PTO applications under the builder’s utility account when applicable.
Collaborate with the Customer Experience team to obtain homeowner information, signatures, or post-closing support documentation when required for application completion.
Monitor Salesforce records for interconnection-related milestones, documentation requirements, and application statuses; ensure data is accurately captured and maintained across home, contract, and interconnection records.
Identify and resolve interconnection rejections or utility deficiencies by coordinating with design, operations, legal, and field teams; ensure all necessary corrections are implemented and resubmitted promptly.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to build scalable SOPs, documentation templates, and utility-specific process maps that align with evolving interconnection rules and builder timelines.
Partner with IT and Salesforce administrators to flag and improve automation workflows, including PDF generation, status tracking, and utility-specific triggers.
Track interconnection KPIs and help design Salesforce reports and dashboards to measure application turnaround times, rejection rates, utility performance, and internal processing gaps.
Serve as the primary point of contact for coordinating with installation partners, field inspectors, and utility representatives when escalations or on-the-ground troubleshooting is required.
Support the Senior Manager of Interconnections in scaling the department, training new hires, identifying automation opportunities, and continuously optimizing processes for future utility and VPP integrations.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Energy Systems, Public Policy, or a related field, with a minimum of 8+ years of professional work experience including 5-8+ years of work experience in utility interconnection, solar operations, or energy project management; at least 2+ years in a direct solar interconnection, permitting, or program management role.
Familiarity with California IOU and municipal utility interconnection processes (e.g., PG&E, SCE, SDG&E, SMUD), including net energy metering (NEM), Rule 21, PTO workflows, and experience tracking and resolving common rejection types.
Experience using Salesforce or similar CRMs to manage complex operational workflows, with strong data hygiene and reporting instincts.
Ability to read and interpret solar and storage system design sets, single-line diagrams, site plans, and technical documentation to coordinate interconnection submissions and correct rejection issues.
Excellent organizational and communication skills to coordinate with builders, internal teams (e.g., sales, design, customer experience), and utility representatives across multiple projects and timelines.
Analytical mindset with strong attention to detail and comfort navigating regulatory, technical, and policy nuances in utility procedures; capable of identifying long-term process improvements.
Proactive, self-motivated, and adaptable team player who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is excited by the opportunity to help build a department.
Preferred Qualifications
Direct experience submitting interconnection applications through PowerClerk, WDT/NBT portals, utility self‑service platforms, or other digital PTO workflows.
Previous work with high‑volume new home solar or storage programs, especially in partnership with production builders or financing providers.
Familiarity with Salesforce automation, workflow builders, or document‑generation tools (e.g., Conga, Formstack, DocuSign Gen) used to streamline operational processes.
Knowledge of California Rule 21, NEM 3.0, ACC export compensation, and utility‑specific ESS requirements, including Attachment E, load calcs, and SLD correction cycles.
Experience developing SOPs, training documentation, or performance dashboards for process‑driven teams.
Ability to travel (10%) periodically for team and cross‑functional meetings.
Hanwha Q CELLS America Inc. (“HQCA”) is a Qcells company headquartered in Irvine, California, expanding its business in North America through distributed energy solutions, direct-to-homeowner solar sales and financing, and EPC services. This role offers an opportunity to be part of an exciting and growing global business.
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