WHO WE ARE
The GivePower Foundation (“GivePower”) is a growing team of passionate problem-solvers creating innovative ways in which to use and develop clean energy systems around the world, for developing regions that need it most. GivePower’s primary programs include solar electrification for medical, educational and economic needs in developing regions; deploying scalable solar-powered desalination solutions for clean water access in remote communities, promoting global female empowerment, and sponsoring “voluntourism” treks for donors and partners that want to experience the impact firsthand.
At GivePower, every Solar Impact Project (SIP) is designed and built for long-term, reliable performance. We select only high-quality, durable components and maintain rigorous quality control throughout installation. The large majority of our systems are equipped with advanced remote-monitoring technology, giving our global team real-time visibility into performance by integrating internet connectivity wherever available.
As our portfolio has grown, we have identified a significant challenge: nearly 40% of our monitored projects have lost remote connectivity. While these outages are believed to be largely attributable to internet service disruptions—such as lapsed payments—rather than hardware or system failures, we need to confirm root causes and develop strategies to restore and maintain connectivity across our global portfolio.
YOUR ROLE
As the Solar Impact Projects Research Intern, you will lead a short-term research effort to systematically investigate the connectivity status of offline solar installations, diagnose the underlying causes of outages, and help GivePower build a clearer picture of installation health and longevity. This is a hands-on role with the opportunity to work on socially impactful and mission-critical projects deployed around the globe.
This is an internship for 8 weeks (40 hours per week but this can be flexible)
Responsibilities
• Conduct outreach to beneficiaries and local contacts at sites that have lost remote-monitoring connectivity to determine the cause of each outage.
• Categorize connectivity losses by root cause (e.g., internet service lapse, hardware failure, environmental factors, or other issues).
• Update and maintain the internal project tracking database with current connectivity status, contact outcomes, and diagnostic findings for each site.
• Collaborate with the VP of Solar Impact Projects and the data team to improve database views and reporting dashboards.
• Compile a research report summarizing findings, patterns, and actionable recommendations for restoring connectivity and improving long-term system monitoring.
• Identify trends or systemic issues that could inform a longer-term post-commissioning support strategy.
Deliverables
• Research Report: A written summary of outreach findings, root-cause analysis by site, observed patterns, and recommendations for restoring connectivity and preventing future losses.
• Updated Project Database: A cleaned and enriched tracking database reflecting the current connectivity status, verified contact information, and diagnostic notes for each site investigated.
DESIRED ATTRIBUTES
• Currently enrolled in or recently completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in renewable energy, international development, environmental science, engineering, data science, or a related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including comfort with cross-cultural outreach.
• Proficiency with spreadsheets and databases (Excel, Google Sheets, or similar).
• Self-motivated and able to work independently in a remote setting.
• Strong attention to detail and very organized.
• Experience with solar energy systems, off-grid installations, or remote monitoring platforms (preferred).
•Fluent English required (Spanish and French a plus)
• Thrives in a dynamic environment; natural problem solver.
• Maintains a positive, can-do attitude with a growth mindset.
• Willingness to roll up your sleeves and make things happen.
• Interest in nonprofit work, international development, or clean energy access.