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Solar Development Associate Jobs in Washington, DC

Associate, Business Development

Washington, DC ยท On-site

$50.40K - $69.10K/yr

The Associate, Business Development will report directly to the Senior Manager, Business ... Support day-to-day transaction execution activities for utility-scale solar, storage, and digital ...

O&M Intern

Rockville, MD ยท On-site

$20/hr

Sales and Business development team * Construction and Engineering departments * All employees ... Operations Associate Standard Solar is EOE/AA/Minority/Female/Veteran/Disabled employer. Please ...

O&M Intern

Rockville, MD

$15.25 - $20.50/hr

Sales and Business development team * Construction and Engineering departments * All employees ... Operations Associate Standard Solar is EOE/AA/Minority/Female/Veteran/Disabled employer. Please ...

... solar and storage; RNG; and energy efficiency. We combine deep expertise in energy markets and ... business development activities, and participating in ongoing portfolio asset management.

Associate General Counsel

Washington, DC ยท Remote

$200K - $250K/yr

... solar, commercial & industrial and utility-scale markets. It has developed and delivered systems ... Experience managing outside counsel: the Associate GC must effectively allocate legal issues to ...

Associate General Counsel

Washington, DC ยท On-site +1

$200K - $250K/yr

... solar, commercial & industrial and utility-scale markets. It has developed and delivered systems ... Experience managing outside counsel: the Associate GC must effectively allocate legal issues to ...

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Showing results 1-20

Solar Development Associate information

See Washington, DC salary details

$32.8K

$60.5K

$91.7K

How much do solar development associate jobs pay per year?

As of May 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for solar development associate in Washington, DC is $60,501.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $48,100.00 and $68,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Solar Development Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Solar Development Associate, you need a solid understanding of renewable energy markets, project management, and site assessment, often backed by a degree in engineering, environmental science, or a related field. Familiarity with GIS mapping tools, permitting software, and knowledge of regulatory frameworks are typically required. Strong communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills help you navigate stakeholder relationships and address project challenges. These skills and qualifications are crucial to successfully initiating, evaluating, and advancing solar projects in a competitive and evolving industry.

What are some typical challenges faced by Solar Development Associates during the permitting and site selection process?

Solar Development Associates often encounter challenges such as navigating complex permitting regulations, securing land agreements, and addressing community concerns. Each project may involve coordinating with local authorities, utility companies, and stakeholders to ensure compliance and smooth progress. Successful associates need strong problem-solving and communication skills to manage these hurdles and keep projects on track. Being proactive and detail-oriented is crucial when dealing with evolving policies or unexpected site constraints.

What are Solar Development Associates?

Solar Development Associates are professionals who support the planning, permitting, and development of solar energy projects. They assist with site selection, environmental assessments, regulatory compliance, and project coordination. Their work involves collaborating with engineers, landowners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to move solar projects from inception through construction. Solar Development Associates play a key role in ensuring that projects are feasible, compliant, and completed on schedule.

What is the difference between Solar Development Associate vs Solar Project Coordinator?

AspectSolar Development AssociateSolar Project Coordinator
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science, or related field; knowledge of solar industryBachelor's degree; project management experience; familiarity with solar projects
Work EnvironmentOffice-based with site visits; collaboration with development teamsOffice and field work; coordinating project activities
Employer & Industry UsageSolar developers, renewable energy firmsSolar project management teams, EPC contractors
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The Solar Development Associate focuses on early-stage project development, including site assessment and permitting, while the Solar Project Coordinator manages project execution, scheduling, and coordination during construction. Both roles require related skills and work within the solar industry, but they differ in their primary responsibilities and project phases.

What are popular job titles related to Solar Development Associate jobs in Washington, DC? For Solar Development Associate jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Associate, Business Development

Copia Power

Washington, DC โ€ข On-site

$50.40K - $69.10K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Company Overview:

Copia Power ("Copia") is an energy transition company committed to developing, constructing, and owning large-scale infrastructure assets in the U.S. Copia is actively developing more than 15 GW of renewable energy generation and storage capacity and 12 GW of data center and industrial load. Copia is backed by Carlyle, one of the world's largest global investment firms.

At Copia, we pride ourselves on a culture where sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. We are dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the environment, and we believe that achieving this goal requires not just hard work but also enjoying the journey. Our team thrives on connectivity, fostering strong relationships across all levels of the organization. Together, we combine passion and playfulness to drive progress and make a difference.

Job Description:ย 

Copia isย seekingย aย highly motivatedย Associate, Business Developmentย toย join our growing team responsible for theย underwriting, acquisition, and execution of utility-scale solar, storage, and digital infrastructure projects.ย ย The ideal candidate willย be responsible forย providing critical analytical support across all aspects of project commercialization and M&A transaction execution, includingย detailedย financialย modeling, due diligence investigations, review of definitive documentation, and related approval processes.ย ย This role requiresย exceptionalย attention to detailย and anย advanced Excelย skillset with theย ability to build,ย validate, and sensitize dynamic financial models.ย 

Theย Associate, Business Developmentย will report directly toย theย Senior Manager, Business Developmentย workingย closely with Copia's asset management, energy markets, legal, and finance teamsย inย an individual contributorย capacity.ย 

ย 
Key Responsibilities:
  • Support day-to-day transaction execution activities for utility-scale solar, storage, and digital project acquisitions, dispositions, and strategic partnerships
    • Own the financial modeling to support Copia's internal underwriting process, including sourcing and validating project attributes from subject matter experts
    • Assist with due diligence investigations in conjunction with internal and external resources
    • Provide analytical and documentation support to transaction leads during negotiation of definitive documentation
    • Support in the preparation of executive- and board-level approval materials in connection with final investment decisions
  • As a supporting member of the core working team for Copia's late-stage controlled assets, collaborate with other functional groups to provide analytical support for major project contracts including offtake procurement, and EPC
    • Build, maintain, and enhance complex project finance models incorporating construction debt, term debt, tax equity, preferred equity, and tax credit sale structures
    • Prepare quantitative sensitivity analyses and scenario modeling to support investment decision-making
    • Provide broad analytical support including translation of major project contracts in dynamic Excel models and financial model sensitivities to evaluate economic drivers of each contract
    • Review key commercial terms and balance obligations across contracts including guaranteed dates, performance guarantees, and liquidated damages
What We Look For:
  • Highly driven with problem-solving abilities, and integrity.
  • Proactive mindset with the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
  • Ability to work effectively within a rapidly changing organization.
  • Demonstrated collaborative partnerships with peers, management, and vendors.
  • Resourcefulness and polite persistence.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • 2-5 years of professional experience, including 1+ year working directly with utility-scale solar and storage projects
  • Bachelor's degree or higher required, preferably in quantitative field
  • Advanced Excel capability with ability to build, validate, and sensitize dynamic detailed models with project finance structures
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills to support investment decisions and internal approval processes
  • Strong work ethic characterized by self-motivation, resourcefulness, and ability to thrive in a fast-paced rapidly changing environment
  • Ability to work in the Washington D.C. office a minimum of 3 days per week.
  • Ability to travel up to 25%ย 
  • Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.
We are partnering with select search firms for this role and are not accepting inquiries or candidates from additional third-party agencies or recruiters.

Compensation:

At Copia, we carefully consider a wide range of factors when determining compensation, including your skills, qualifications, location, and experience. This role may also be eligible for benefits, performance bonuses, and other perks. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.ย 

Our Benefits:ย ย 

We work hard to embrace diversity and inclusion and encourage everyone at Copia to bring their authentic selves to work every day. We offer flexible work hours and generous benefits to all of our employees that include:ย 

- Medical, Dental & Vision coverage with no premiums
- Company contribution to 401(k) plansย 
- Annual bonus eligibilityย 
- Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid company holidays
- Wellness and cell phone creditsย 
- Life and AD&D Insuranceย 
- Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) for community and support
- Opportunities for professional development to grow and thrive within the companyย 

About Copia:ย 

Copia Power ("Copia"), is a wholly owned portfolio company of the global investment firm, The Carlyle Group. Copia's platform is focused on developing, owning, and operating utility-scale sustainable infrastructure in the United States.We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. For more information, visit www.copiapower.com.ย 
ย 
At Copia, we value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally for employment & do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law, ordinance, or regulation.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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