PVSyst
Virgilio D'Ottavio
Senior Project Director – Photovoltaic & Agrivoltaic Development
Milan
Summary
Project Director with over 14 years of experience in the renewable energy sector, specializing in utility-scale photovoltaic and advanced agro-PV development. Currently leading the PV development team at RP Global in Italy, managing all technical and strategic aspects of project development from greenfield to ready-to-build. Strong background in both EPC design and asset management, with proven skills in team leadership, technical due diligence, and project execution. Known for a pragmatic, results-driven approach and deep knowledge of the Italian energy market an regulatory framework.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Senior Project Director
RP Global Italy
03.2022 - Current
- Implementing process improvements to increase productivity and reduced overhead costs.
- Establishing strong relationships with stakeholders, maintaining open lines of communication and driving collaborative problem-solving efforts.
- Leveraging extensive industry knowledge to identify opportunities for organizational growth.
- Coordinating multiple simultaneous projects, ensuring seamless execution and minimal disruption to business operations.
- Leading the development of RP Global’s Italian photovoltaic and agro-PV portfolio.
- Managing a team of 7 professionals focused on the technical and operational aspects of project development.
- Overseeing project progress from early-stage feasibility to authorization.
- Collaborating closely with internal teams and external stakeholders including grid operators, technical advisors and specialists.
Technical Asset Manager, Team Leader
Wise Energy
08.2018 - 02.2022
- Mentored junior staff members, helping them develop leadership skills and advance their careers within the organization.
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve company-wide goals, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.
- Identified team weak points and implemented corrective actions to resolve concerns.
- Overcame challenging deadlines and resource limitations by reallocating personnel and focusing on priority tasks.
- Ensured the correct on time delivering of technical asset management services;
- Supported stakeholders in preparing yearly budgets;
- Analyzed plants KPIs and proposing possible plants optimization;
- Drafted, negotiated and managed O&M and surveillance contracts;
- Managed claims with inverters and modules manufacturers.
Technical Asset Manager
Renam Srl
03.2013 - 07.2018
- Managed technical and operational activities for both wind and solar assets.
- Interfaced with investors, lenders, and local authorities for reporting, compliance, and performance matters.
- Supported acquisition and refinancing processes through technical due diligence.
- Proactively identified areas for process improvement, driving increased efficiency throughout the organization.
- Coordinated the activities concerning technical management of photovoltaic plants portfolios owned by Renam Clients;
- Performed KPIs analysis;
- Supported stakeholders in preparing yearly budgets and drawing up O&M contracts.
- Performed technical "due diligence" analysis of PV plants, including:
- examination of historical production, availability and performance;
- evaluation of yield forecasts;
- evaluation of the effectiveness of O&M agreements, surveillance contracts, PPAs;
- evaluation of the effectiveness and efficiency of anti-theft systems;
- evaluation of CAPEX and OPEX.
Technical Designer
Refeel
01.2011 - 08.2012
- Provided technical expertise throughout all phases of the project, ensuring accurate execution of designs and specifications.
- Performed site surveys to determine the technical feasibility of the plants;
- Interacted with manufacturers, suppliers and installers to address the best technical solutions;
- Produced the necessary documents to submit requests for connection and all the administrative procedures according to Italian rules.
Junior Design Engineer
Cover Industrial
06.2010 - 12.2010
- Designed residential and industrial rooftop PV systems;
- Performed site surveys to determine the technical feasibility of the plants;
- Interacted with manufacturers, providers and installers to choose the best technical solutions for plants construction.
Engineering Consultant
Enetech
11.2009 - 05.2010
- Performed preliminary study and design of rooftop photovoltaic systems;
- Performed site surveys to determine the technical feasibility of the plants.
Intern
NEAtech
06.2009 - 09.2009
- Supported staff members in their daily tasks, reducing workload burden and allowing for increased focus on higher-priority assignments.
- Gained valuable experience working within a specific industry, applying learned concepts directly into relevant work situations.
- Designed wheelchairs components for disabled people in Solidworks environment;
- Tested missile components carried out for third parties through numerical control machines.
Intern
Alenia Aeronautica Spa
06.2008 - 01.2009
- System engineering;
- CAD drawing in CATIA environment;
- Simulated the mechanical behavior of avionic systems in MSC Adams environment;
- Drafted degree thesis.
Education
Post-Graduate Certificate - Photovoltaic Systems Design
Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II
Napoli 03.2009 - 03.2009
Skills
Agri-PV (Advanced Agrivoltaics)
Team Leadership & People Management
Technical Due Diligence
Grid Connection & Electrical Design Coordination
Budgeting & CAPEX/OPEX Planning
Contractor & Stakeholder Coordination
Performance Monitoring & Asset Optimization
EPC & O&M Interface Management
Regulatory Knowledge (Italy: FER, PAS, AU)
Software
Excel
MS Project
PowerPoint
Outlook
Google Earth
AutoCAD
Timeline
Senior Project Director
RP Global Italy
03.2022 - Current
Technical Asset Manager, Team Leader
Wise Energy
08.2018 - 02.2022
Technical Asset Manager
Renam Srl
03.2013 - 07.2018
Technical Designer
Refeel
01.2011 - 08.2012
Junior Design Engineer
Cover Industrial
06.2010 - 12.2010
Engineering Consultant
Enetech
11.2009 - 05.2010
Intern
NEAtech
06.2009 - 09.2009
Post-Graduate Certificate - Photovoltaic Systems Design
Università Degli Studi Di Napoli Federico II
03.2009 - 03.2009
Intern
Alenia Aeronautica Spa
06.2008 - 01.2009
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