PB

Panashe Bradley Kapfunde

Renewable Energy & Power Systems Engineer

Cape Town, South Africa

About

Highly driven and detail-oriented Electrical Engineer with over four years of hands-on experience in solar PV, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and MV/LV power systems. Proven capability across feasibility studies, conceptual and detailed design, system studies, forensic auditing, commissioning, and technical leadership on utility-scale and commercial projects. Strong focus on technically robust, compliant, and buildable engineering solutions for renewable energy integration and power system resilience.

Skills

Solar PVBattery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)Wind Energy
MV & LV ReticulationPower System StudiesLoad FlowProtectionHarmonicsControl & Protection Systems
AutoCADPVsystHOMERMATLABPythonExcelSystems Modelling & Simulation

Experience

Design Engineer (Professional Training Period)

Soventix SA (Pty) Ltd - Stellenbosch, South Africa

Manage the full technical design lifecycle for utility-scale solar PV and BESS projects from feasibility through issued-for-construction documentation. • Manage the full technical design lifecycle for utility-scale solar PV and BESS projects from feasibility through issued-for-construction documentation. • Perform feasibility studies, simulations, and performance assessments to validate PV/BESS architectures. • Develop coordinated electrical, mechanical, and layout designs across disciplines. • Prepare and review technical specifications, procurement documentation, and construction deliverables. • Review and approve designs produced by junior engineers and external consultants. • Interface with EPCs, suppliers, and grid operators to ensure grid-code compliance and safe system integration. • Incorporate health, safety, and compliance considerations into all design outputs, including electrical safety, earthing, isolation, and battery risk mitigation.

2025-08 - Present

Project Engineer

SunSmart Engineering - Cape Town, South Africa

Lead renewable energy projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring delivery within programme, budget, and quality constraints. • Lead renewable energy projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring delivery within programme, budget, and quality constraints. • Develop detailed electrical designs and specifications for solar PV, wind, and battery energy storage systems. • Provide technical leadership during installation, commissioning, and operational phases, resolving complex performance and compliance issues. • Conduct performance assessments and data analysis to optimise system efficiency and robustness. • Ensure compliance with applicable standards, grid codes, regulatory requirements, and safety protocols. • Support quality assurance processes and provide technical input for audits and performance reviews.

2023-07 - 2025-07

Design Engineer / Solar PV Design Engineer

Aces Africa (Pty) Ltd - Somerset West, Cape Town, South Africa

Progressed into a senior technical role, assuming responsibility for overall design quality and technical sign-off across active PV and BESS projects. • Progressed into a senior technical role, assuming responsibility for overall design quality and technical sign-off across active PV and BESS projects. • Acted as technical lead for large-scale systems, including the Trade Route Mall project (6.2 MW PV, 11.0 MWh BESS, 11 kV MV infrastructure). • Took ownership of drawings, BOQs, procurement packages for batteries and MV equipment, and OEM technical documentation. • Managed complex technical interfaces between PV, BESS, MV/substation equipment, protection systems, and control/communications, including SEL RTAC-based PPC integration. • Coordinated engineering delivery with project managers, procurement, installation teams, business development, and consulting civil engineers. • Reviewed and validated supplier and OEM submissions against client requirements, grid codes, and applicable standards. • Mentored junior engineers, reviewed their work, and guided them on internal design standards and best practices. • Influenced CAPEX and programme by selecting technically optimal and constructable solutions, reducing rework and site delays.

2021-11 - 2023-07

Technical Support Engineer

Oracle Security Merchants - Harare, Zimbabwe

Designed and tendered advanced security, access control, and monitoring systems. • Designed and tendered advanced security, access control, and monitoring systems. • Contributed to IoT-based environmental monitoring projects, including UNOPS river water level monitoring systems. • Designed solar PV systems with battery backup for residential and commercial clients. • Conducted site assessments, energy audits, system sizing, and troubleshooting of installed systems.

2020-10 - 2021-10

Electrical Engineering Intern

Sarikaya Electric - Cyprus

Designed and installed solar PV systems ranging from 5 kWp to 600 kWp. • Designed and installed solar PV systems ranging from 5 kWp to 600 kWp. • Performed PV system simulations and developed compliant layouts. • Supported tendering activities through system design, equipment specification, and documentation.

2019-03 - 2019-12

HVAC Apprentice

Mehmet Heating Solutions - Cyprus

Installed and maintained HVAC systems, including piping, ducting, valves, and associated components. • Installed and maintained HVAC systems, including piping, ducting, valves, and associated components. • Performed preventive maintenance to improve system reliability and lifespan.

2018-03 - 2018-09

Education

Stellenbosch University

Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering – Smart Grid Technology

- 2026

Cyprus International University

Bachelor of Engineering in Energy Systems Engineering

- Present