Specialty Internship: Lifecycle of a photovoltaic ("PV") panel

Solar Infrastructure
By some estimates more than USD 10bn will be invested in renewable energy infrastructure over the next decade.
Solar infrastructure, notably PV panels, is widely expected to become the largest renewable electricity production capacity, along with wind-farming.
Today the market is dominated by a few highly coordinated PV panel manufacturers, however the technology is constantly evolving, and the global logistics chain involved in bringing panels to site and their installation is long and sophisticated.
With the ESG impacts of the full lifecycle of a PV panel currently unknown, and significant technological development underway, we believe it is both relevant and exciting to investigate the lifecycle of key renewable energies and any implications.
This work will help craft our approach to this sector, with the strive to support the transition to net zero and make the world more resilient.

About the Role
This internship will work with on a lifecycle perspective of a photovoltaic panel, with responsibilities grouped around the following topics:

• Outline of the PV Panel lifecycle
• Risk analysis of:
• The various PV technologies and key manufacturers as to their risk management factors and criticalities
• Impact of loss experience in recent years
• Failure analysis due to man-made exposures and Cat perils to help improvements for cost modelling
• Review of available insurance protections to identify any "protection gaps"

The internship will be for 4-6 months, starting Spring 2023

About the Team
The applicant will be embedded within the Renewable Energy Centre of Competence ("CoC") in our Specialty business, working to agreed deadlines.
You will report to the global head of Specialty Solutions and be part of our innovation network, working closely with experts and leaders in our underwriting and risk engineering services teams, all part of Swiss Re's Specialty business.
Your position will be based in Zurich.

About you

• Master student in business or environmental sciences ideally combined with skills in quantitative science such as engineering, mathematics or physics
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent organisational skills and self-starter attitude
• Passion for sustainability and ESG-related topics
• Curiosity around how investments in the Solar sector are made and protected
• Teammate who naturally brings individuals together as needed, across countries and functions
• Reliable, open-minded, creative and enthusiastic
• Excellent oral and written English. Other languages are a plus

What next?

We are looking forward to your application! Good luck!

Swiss Re is an equal opportunity employer, and we value diversity at our company. Our aim is to live visible and invisible diversity – diversity of age, race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, physical abilities, personalities and experiences – in all functions and regions at Swiss Re. We also collaborate in a flexible working environment, providing you with a compelling degree of autonomy to decide how, when and where to carry out your tasks.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 
Due to immigration regulations non-EU/EFTA and UK citizens must provide a certificate from a Swiss university confirming that an internship is integral to their course of study. Kindly submit the mandatory letter from your University with your application documents 
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