Renewable Energy Simulation Testing and Verification

About the project We are seeking a freelance specialist with a background in renewable energy system simulation for a project on a contract basis. In this project, you will test and verify a technical desktop application used in renewable energy performance and financial analysis. This is a front-end, domain-focused project. You will not be writing code or performing software engineering tasks. Instead, your expertise in renewable energy modeling — particularly with photovoltaic and battery storage systems — will be applied to verify that the application produces correct, reliable results aligned with benchmark tool. What You Will Do Functional Application Testing • Conduct structured front-end testing of a desktop application across four combinations of battery storage and financial modules • Vary battery and financial model inputs sequentially in each module and compare resulting application outputs against NREL SAM results • Document the groups of inputs varied and the corresponding results from the desktop application and NREL SAM. • Point out numerical discrepancies, code crashes, defects, or missing parameters in each input-group-based testing of a module. Modules Covered Your work will span the following simulation and financial model categories: 1. Photovoltaic systems combined with battery storage – commercial ownership 2. Standalone battery storage systems – commercial ownership 3. Standalone battery storage – power purchase agreement (single owner) 4. Standalone battery storage – power purchase agreement with debt financing What We’re Looking For Required • Solid understanding of NREL’s System Advisor Model (SAM) for photovoltaic and battery storage applications or similar other commercial software. • Knowledge of renewable energy project finance models, including commercial ownership, PPA structures, and merchant plant frameworks • Experience conducting functional or acceptance testing of technical software or engineering tools • Ability to produce clear, structured technical documents (verification manuals, defect logs, review reports) • Strong analytical skills and high attention to detail when comparing numerical results Deliverables During testing progression, you will be expected to submit the following for each module: • Documentation of group-wise inputs and comparison of results from the desktop application with the open-source tool (NREL SAM) • Documentation of numerical discrepancies, defects, or missing parameters in the desktop application