ENERGY FROM THE ELEMENTS
Come And Join Our Team
We are working in a very exciting period in the Energy Sector in Scotland. Some believe this period will be the third energy revolution. Following the invention of steam power and the introduction of electricity, the focus on renewable and low-carbon energy over the next 20 -30 years has the potential to be transformational for us and how we live and work.
Proterra Energy was very lucky to have entered this sector almost 12 years ago and the experience and skills that we have built up in that period has catapulted us into leading some of the changes in this fast-moving and competitive sector. It brings out the best in us, our innovation, our problem solving and our teamwork. Set against this backdrop our company and our team has grown, and continues to grow.
Our Clients range from larger domestic sites to Estates, Distilleries and the Public Sector. Our sites span remote lighthouses to island installations and iconic buildings (but also include garages, renewably powered electric gates and farm sheds!).
If you would like to join our team then we would be delighted to hear from you. For more information see below.
Installation Electrician / Engineer
We are currently recruiting for an experienced Electrician / Electrical Engineer to join our team to support our installation projects. The position is based out of our offices in Inverness and primarily covers the Highlands, but we do have some work across Scotland, working on our new projects and as required, supporting our maintenance & servicing teams.
We are going through an exciting period, having expanded our workshops and moved into Inverness in late 2022. Our projects continue to grow and we’d like our team to grow too, both in numbers and in the type of work we and they do. Our recent projects involve installation of commercial scale solar, large offgrid installations with hybrid generation and recently design and consultancy work leading to installations for larger industrial customers.
If you are interested in applying then please send a covering letter and CV to info@proterra-energy.com, or drop us a line to arrange an initial call if you would like to find out more.
Employee Spotlight: Alasdair
Alasdair joined us as part of the Kick Start programme. His role was mainly workshop-based although when required he travelled to the site to assist engineers with system servicing and installation.
At the end of the programme, we sat with Alasdair and asked if he had enjoyed his work experience and whether he would like to stay on. He agreed and for the next 6-9 months he worked with our teams across our projects, on civil, mechanical and electrical tasks, site and workshop-based. During this period we spoke regularly with Alasdair about the work he undertook and what interested him and he identified working on electrical systems as his favourite. We discussed future learning opportunities and the opportunity to start an Electrical Apprenticeship arose. In 2022 Alasdair started his apprenticeship at UHI, completing his first year in June 2023.
This year he is working through his SCQF Level 5 courses, including elective courses in Testing Electrical Equipment and Circuits and Assisting in the Installation of Electrical / Electronic Equipment.
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I enjoy the different variety of jobs that I get to go on a weekly basis. I have been to many different jobs, for hydro, solar and wind turbines. The first job that I stayed away for was down Huntly way in a castle, Craig Castle. That in itself was very appealing, the job consisted of inspecting hydro turbines over 100 years old. This instantly took my interest about the job and made me want to work here because I enjoy the variety of jobs . I have installed many of solar energy systems also, from ground mounted and distillery systems including one job where we put 133 panels onto a distillery roof down in Ardnamurchan that went very well. It has been up and running, producing lots of power for the distillery and making a change on their bills.
Another system that we have just put in was a ground mounted offgrid system in Mull. This array was along a 2km cliff track to a lighthouse. This array was the opposite of the previous one, this one was ground mounted using a scaffold frame, with 10 panels which was completed in just 2 days all functioning and producing power.
Another thing I enjoy about working here is the group of workers we have. We are a smaller company with 10 people working together who all get along very well. Ever since I started here I was treated excellently, when I needed help I was given it straight away. If I ever had any questions about anything I could ask anyone because there is such a wide range of experience in the company, with all happy to explain and teach me. This was really encouraging because it made me feel welcome and have the want to learn and experience new things.
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Employee Spotlight: Laura
Laura has been a member of the Proterra Energy team since 2013, her role as Design Engineer covers all aspects of project design from gathering information on site surveys, through system design to project delivery.
Her work on a typical renewable project includes; interpretation of site survey data, options appraisal of potential renewable systems (hydro, solar, wind, battery storage), analysis of demand and generation profiles, financial analysis as well and preparation of project drawings using CAD software. Laura is also responsible for the preparation and submission of Planning Permission and CAR Licence applications as required.
Laura works directly with all project stakeholders from Clients to the Planning Authority, NatureScot and SEPA, as well as suppliers, manufacturers and Proterra colleagues to successfully deliver projects.
It’s not all hard work though. As part of the company’s drive to inspire the next generation of engineers, Laura has supported a local primary school over the past 2-3 years helping successive P6s and P7s with their STEM Kit Car project. She has also visited other primary schools, following requests from local Clients, to introduce the subject of renewable energy.
"No two projects, or days, are the same at Proterra! There is always a challenge to meet or a problem to solve. I enjoy the diversity of work that I take part in, from climbing up rivers on a site survey to analysing data back at my desk. The challenge of designing systems to meet individual Clients' needs never gets boring, thanks to continuous evolutions in technology and regulatory requirements.
At Proterra I never face a problem on my own, we are a collaborative team with diverse backgrounds and a wealth of experience, and working together has allowed us to achieve results that really have changed the lives of our Clients."
