Remote · 30+ hrs/wk · Unpaid (Fellowship/Academic Credit Eligible) · Redwood City, California
The Opportunity
Kelvolta is an early-stage energy technology company building a data-driven origination and analytics platform for commercial and industrial (C&I) battery energy storage systems. We're looking for one person to spend the summer embedded with the founder — handling the business operations that keep the company moving, while also building a real skill set in battery project economics.
This is a two-track role that starts with operations and grows into analytical work. By the end of the summer, you'll understand utility tariff structures, demand charge mechanics, system sizing economics, and project finance fundamentals — a skill set that the C&I storage market is hiring for aggressively and that most graduate programs don't teach.
Why this summer matters. This July the U.S. C&I solar investment tax credit is stepping down, and every major solar developer in the country is adding battery storage to their pipeline. BESS is becoming the growth engine of the C&I energy market — and the industry doesn't have nearly enough people who understand the economics. This role puts you inside that transition while it's happening.
"Learning to build things that actually matter in a startup where I'm constantly learning and adapting." — Lance Sanchez, UC Santa Barbara
Track 1 — Business Operations (Starting Immediately)
Prospect research and CRM management: building and maintaining the developer outreach pipeline. Intern coordination: onboarding logistics, scheduling, weekly status tracking across a distributed team. Investor materials: formatting the data room, maintaining the milestone tracker, researching target seed investors. Event and networking support: identifying relevant industry events, pre-researching attendees, scheduling follow-ups.
Track 2 — BESS Projects Analyst (Growing Into)
Run utility tariff analyses for C&I prospects using industry-standard techno-economic modeling tools — expect to be working proficiently in these platforms within two to three weeks of focused study. Conduct developer prospect research across target utility territories. Prepare site qualification briefs and developer outreach materials. Learn the mechanics of demand charges, rate structures, capacity markets, and BESS project finance.
Who This Is For
Graduate student in business, public policy, economics, environmental studies, or a related field. Must have some business experience — an internship, a research position, or a prior career. Organized enough to manage multiple workstreams without being told what to do next. Interested in clean energy or climate tech — prior sector experience is not required, but curiosity is. Strong research and writing skills. Available full-time: minimum 30 hours per week for the duration of the fellowship.
Structure
Start: Third or fourth week of June (exact date flexible). End: September (exact date flexible). Compensation: Unpaid. Eligible for academic credit (subject to university approval). Candidates enrolled in or applying to climate, energy, or social enterprise fellowship programs are encouraged to apply — we will support your application. Outstanding contributors will be considered for a discretionary achievement award at the conclusion of the fellowship. Location: Remote, with flexibility for in-person meetings in the SF Bay Area.
What You Walk Away With
Direct mentorship from the CEO of a BESS-focused energy technology startup with 25 years of energy project development experience. Working knowledge of BESS project economics, utility tariffs, and C&I energy markets — skills with immediate market value. Real exposure to startup fundraising, investor relations, and go-to-market strategy. A portfolio of substantive work you can speak to credibly in any energy or climate-tech interview. Priority consideration for extended or paid roles based on performance.
How to Apply
Click Easy Apply. Finalists will be invited to a brief interview.
#CleanEnergy #EnergyStorage #BESS #ClimateJobs #SummerFellowship #EnergyTech #Renewables