Consultant - Agri-PV System Design

The International Water Management Institute (IWMI) is an international, non-profit research-for-development organization that collaborates with governments, civil society, and private-sector partners to address water-related challenges in developing countries and scale sustainable solutions. Headquartered in Colombo, Sri Lanka, IWMI is a CGIAR Research Center with offices in 15 countries and a global network of researchers working across approximately 56 countries.

IWMI is seeking a qualified consulting organization to undertake the Agri-PV System Design Consultancy under the SoLAR Phase II Project. Building on the achievements of SoLAR Phase I (2019–2025), implemented in partnership with the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), which generated strong evidence on solar irrigation pumps (SIPs) and grid-connected solar irrigation systems in Bangladesh, SoLAR Phase II (2025–2028) aims to advance these efforts through the piloting of agrivoltaic (Agri-PV) systems on existing and new SIP infrastructure.

The selected consulting organization will support the development of agrivoltaics in Bangladesh by combining international engineering expertise with local hydro-agronomic knowledge. The assignment includes conducting Agri-PV system simulations to optimize clean energy generation under Bangladesh’s solar irradiance conditions and developing calibrated crop growth models using empirical agronomic data, including photosynthetic light-response analysis of selected high-value vegetable crops under varying direct and diffuse light conditions.

Objectives of the Assignment

The consulting organization will:

Assess the technical feasibility of integrating Agri-PV systems with existing and new solar irrigation pump infrastructure in Bangladesh. Optimize Agri-PV system designs through engineering simulations to maximize clean energy generation under local climatic conditions. Evaluate crop performance under Agri-PV systems by developing calibrated crop growth models based on field-generated agronomic data and light-response analyses. Provide technical recommendations for pilot implementation and scaling of Agri-PV systems, integrating engineering and agricultural considerations to support sustainable deployment in Bangladesh.

Duties and Responsibilities

The consulting organization will develop a comprehensive Agri-PV design package covering two pilot models in Bangladesh:

Pilot 1: Retrofit of an existing multi-leg solar PV structure at the ESDO Gorgori site in Alamdanga. Pilot 2: Design of a new elevated monopole Agri-PV structure for a second ESDO site.

The assignment aims to identify technically feasible, agronomically suitable, and financially viable Agri-PV configurations that preserve the primary function of solar irrigation pump systems while enabling productive agricultural use beneath and around the solar arrays.

The consultancy will be structured around four interconnected work packages:

Agronomic Design Simulation PV Layout and Energy Optimization Structural Design and Engineering Business Model and Scale-Up Inputs

These work packages will be implemented sequentially to ensure that agronomic requirements inform PV layout design, optimized layouts guide structural design, and the final technical configuration supports energy yield assessment, cost evaluation, and business model development.

Deliverables

The consulting organization will provide the following deliverables:

1. Inception Note and Design Basis - Summary of site data, assumptions, modelling approach, crop selection methodology, PV design parameters, and identified data gaps for both pilot sites.
2. Agronomic and Light Simulation Report - PAR modelling, seasonal light distribution analysis (Rabi, Kharif-I, and Kharif-II), crop suitability assessment, shading analysis, and recommended crop shortlist.
3. PV Layout and Energy Optimization Report - Optimized PV configurations, energy generation scenarios, irrigation-energy integration assessment, bifacial gain analysis, and layout comparisons.
4. Structural Design and Engineering Package - Retrofit design and structural modification package for Pilot 1, and detailed monopole design package for Pilot 2, including wind load analysis, foundation assessment, drawings, specifications, and reinforcement recommendations.
5. Business Model and Cost Inputs Note - Energy yield estimates, cost benchmarking for retrofit and new-build options, key cost drivers, and inputs for financial viability and scale-up assessments, including net-metering considerations.
6. Final Integrated Technical Report - A consolidated report covering agronomic analysis, PV layout optimization, energy performance, structural design, cost considerations, risks, and final recommendations for both pilot sites.

Please refer to the Terms of Reference for further information: Terms of Reference - Agri-PV System Design - Bangladesh .docx

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Legal Registration and Compliance

Valid company registration certificate in the country of incorporation. Company profile indicating legal status, year of establishment, office locations, and areas of expertise. Valid Tax Registration Certificate (where applicable).

Essential Requirements

Minimum of five (5) years of demonstrated experience in solar PV system design, including ground-mounted and elevated structures. Proven experience in Agri-PV design, including structural design, agronomic assessment, crop simulation, and energy yield analysis. Experience working in South Asia or comparable agro-climatic contexts, preferably Bangladesh or India.

Desirable Requirements

Ten (10) or more years of experience in solar PV system design. Extensive expertise in Agri-PV system design and implementation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Technical Expertise:

Proven expertise in Agri-PV system design and optimization, including integration of agriculture and solar energy systems.

Strong experience in PV system design, including: Panel layout optimization, Tilt angle and orientation analysis, and Energy yield modeling (including bifacial systems, where applicable).

Proven experience in structural design of elevated solar PV systems, including: Wind load assessment, Structural stability analysis and Foundation design and assessment.

Experience in techno-economic analysis, including Cost benchmarking and Energy–agriculture trade-off assessment.

Technical Approach (to be described in proposal):

The consultant should clearly describe their proposed approach to delivering the assignment, including:

Methodology for integrating agronomic analysis with PV design.

Approach to light (PAR) modeling and crop suitability assessment.

Approach to PV layout optimization, including spacing, tilt, and bifacial considerations.

Methodology for structural analysis, including wind load and foundation assessment.

Approach to linking energy generation with irrigation demand and business model inputs.

Understanding of the Bangladesh context and implementation constraints.

Project Experience:

Demonstrated experience in completing at least 4–5 similar assignments.

Experience in South Asian or similar climatic and agricultural contexts is strongly preferred.

Experience working with development organizations, public sector agencies, or donor-funded projects will be considered an advantage.

Benefits

This is an Internationally hired consultancy; therefore, firms with relevant abilities are encouraged to apply. IWMI offers a competitive rate for this assignment. The duration of the contract will be for a period of two (02) months.

Your application must include the following;

Company Profile

Certificate of Incorporation

CVs of key personnel

Technical Proposal

Financial Proposal

Proposed implementation schedule

Relevant project references, which may be contacted if you are shortlisted Additional supporting documents demonstrating relevant expertise in the sector

Receipt of all applications will be acknowledged, but only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

IWMI believes that diversity powers our innovation, contributes to our excellence, and is critical for our mission. We offer a multi-cultural, multi-color, multi-generational and multi-disciplinary working environment. We are consciously creating an inclusive organization that reflects our global character and our commitment to gender equity. We, therefore, encourage applicants from all cultures, races, ethnicities, religions, sexes, national or regional origins, ages, disability status, sexual orientations, and gender identities.