Master’s in Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Plants: Engineering and O&M
Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in utility-scale photovoltaic plant engineering and O&M, covering design, PV SCADA and performance ratio. 12 modules covering solar resource, modules and inverters, trackers, electrical design, PVsyst simulation, permitting, EPC, commissioning, monitoring, maintenance and financing, with an assigned technical tutor.
Master’s in Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Plants: Engineering and O&M — studying from New Zealand
New Zealand's energy sector is distinctive for its high share of renewable generation, drawn from hydroelectric, geothermal and wind resources. Transpower operates the national grid, while distribution networks are run by regional lines companies, and the Electricity Authority regulates the wholesale and retail markets. Energy engineers are employed across generation, transmission, distribution and retail, with demand growing as the country works towards its renewable electricity goals.
Fees for New Zealand: NZ$17,700 (New Zealand dollar), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in New Zealand
Typical roles
Questions from New Zealand
What professional recognition applies to energy and network engineers in New Zealand?
Engineering New Zealand administers Chartered Professional Engineer registration, which is widely used in the energy sector. The Electricity Authority oversees the electricity market, and the Electricity Engineers' Association is an industry body. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not accredited by any national body, so recognition is decided by employers or the relevant body.
Who employs energy and network engineers in New Zealand?
Major employers include electricity lines companies, generators, transmission operators, gas network businesses and consultancies. Roles often value registration, field experience and knowledge of New Zealand's grid and regulation. A private qualification may support your CV, but it does not guarantee employment or a particular career outcome.
Can I study from New Zealand with a full-time job, and does an employer need to fund it?
Yes. The programmes are 100% online and taught in English, so you can study from New Zealand without a student visa. You will have an assigned technical tutor and complete a final project. Specialist courses take 300 hours, diplomas 800 and master's programmes 1,900. Fees can be paid in instalments, and employer sponsorship is possible.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Assess the solar resource and select sites.
Select modules, inverters and structures.
Design the electrical installation of grid-scale plants.
Simulate production and calculate P50 and P90 values.
Manage permitting and grid connection.
Plan construction and commissioning.
Organise the operation and maintenance of plants.
Who it's for
- Photovoltaic design engineers.
- Solar plant site managers.
- Commissioning engineers.
- O&M managers.
- Performance analysts.
- Renewable asset managers.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter the solar photovoltaic sector.
What you'll work with
- IEC 62446-1 (testing, documentation and maintenance of grid-connected PV systems)
- IEC 61215 (design qualification of PV modules)
- IEC 61730 (PV module safety qualification)
- IEC 61724-1 (PV system performance monitoring)
- IEC 62548 (design requirements for PV arrays)
- Royal Decree 1183/2020 (Spanish regulation on grid access and connection)
- Regulation (EU) 2016/631 (RfG) (network code on requirements for generators)
- ITC-BT-40 (Spanish low-voltage regulation for generating installations)
- PVsyst
- PVcase
- AutoCAD
- SolarGIS
- Helioscope
12 modules
1.1Direct, diffuse and global irradiation1.2PVGIS, SolarGIS and Meteonorm databases1.3Typical meteorological year1.4On-site resource measurement1.5Shading and horizon studies1.6Topography and geotechnics1.7Environmental analysis of the site1.8Access and power evacuation1.9Site selection1.10Case study: pre-selection of a 200 MWp site
2.1PERC, TOPCon and heterojunction cells2.2Bifacial modules and rear-side gain2.3Light-induced and potential-induced degradation2.4Module certification2.5Central versus string inverters2.6DC/AC ratio and oversizing2.7Medium-voltage transformers2.8Trends in solar technology2.9Supplier selection2.10Lab: comparison of modules using datasheets
3.1Fixed structures at optimum tilt3.2Single-axis trackers3.3Backtracking algorithms3.4Wind and snow loads3.5Driven pile and screw foundations3.6Pile pull-out tests3.7Slopes and irregular terrain3.8Structure cost per watt3.9Tracker maintenance3.10Practical exercise: energy comparison of fixed versus tracker
4.1String configuration4.2DC cabling4.3String boxes and protection4.4Internal medium-voltage network4.5Earthing and equipotential bonding4.6Lightning protection4.7Step-up substation design4.8Calculation of electrical losses4.9Plant auxiliary systems4.10Lab: electrical design with PVcase
5.1Modelling with PVsyst5.2Temperature and soiling losses5.3Mismatch losses5.4Bifacial production modelling5.5Performance Ratio calculation5.6P50, P90 and P99 production5.7Resource uncertainty5.8Energy yield reports for financing5.9Validation with real data5.10Practical exercise: P50/P90 estimate with PVsyst
6.1Access and connection procedure6.2Access capacity tenders6.3Technical connection requirements6.4Environmental impact assessment6.5Prior administrative and construction authorisation6.6Hybridisation and storage6.7Power plant controller6.8Applicable grid codes6.9Administrative deadlines and milestones6.10Case study: permitting a project in Spain
7.1EPC contract models7.2Procurement and logistics management7.3Construction planning7.4Health and safety in construction7.5On-site quality control7.6Subcontractor management7.7Project risk management7.8Cost control7.9As-built project documentation7.10Workshop: construction plan for a 100 MWp plant
8.1Inspection according to IEC 62446-18.2String testing: I-V curves8.3Insulation measurement8.4Module thermography8.5Field electroluminescence8.6Inverter testing8.7Capacity test8.8Performance test8.9Provisional acceptance of the plant8.10Practical exercise: analysis of field I-V curves
9.1Plant SCADA systems9.2Performance monitoring9.3Operational KPIs9.4Availability analysis9.5Data-driven fault detection9.6Production forecasting9.7Alarm management9.8Remote control centres9.9Reports to owners9.10Lab: analysis of inverter underperformance
10.1Preventive and corrective maintenance10.2Module cleaning10.3Vegetation control10.4Drone inspections10.5Spare parts management10.6Substation maintenance10.7O&M contracts and warranties10.8Safety in maintenance10.9Predictive maintenance with analytics10.10Case study: annual O&M plan
11.1Project financial model11.2LCOE and sensitivities11.3PPA contracts and their clauses11.4Technical due diligence11.5Asset management in operation11.6Repowering and extension11.7Construction and operation insurance11.8Sustainability and biodiversity11.9End of life and recycling11.10Practical exercise: LCOE model of a plant
12.1Site selection12.2Solar resource study12.3Plant design12.4Energy simulation of the plant12.5Electrical design and connection12.6Construction plan12.7O&M strategy12.8Economic and financial analysis12.9Master's Thesis report12.10Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
How you'll learn
The programme is delivered 100% online on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it can be combined with full-time work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standards and applied exercises. The working software is PVsyst, PVcase, AutoCAD, SolarGIS and Helioscope, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Practical work is based on real procedures for string I-V curve testing, drone thermography and capacity and performance testing. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.
Standards covered: IEC 62446-1, IEC 61215, IEC 61730, IEC 61724-1, IEC 62548, Royal Decree 1183/2020, Regulation (EU) 2016/631 (RfG), ITC-BT-40.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- A university degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.
- An internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with PVsyst, PVcase, AutoCAD, SolarGIS and Helioscope, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software, and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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