Rahul Ashwin Mahendhran
Fast learner. Team player. Driven by sustainable solutions.
Renewable energy engineer. Tech-driven problem solver.
About me
With a Master’s in Photovoltaics and Solar Energy from UNSW, I’ve worked on everything from solar farms to IoT power monitoring, all driven by a passion for smarter, greener energy. I love designing solar systems, optimizing performance, and staying curious about new tech.
You’ll find me hiking, playing soccer, or exploring design trends outside work.
Professional Experience
Professional Experience
01/2023 – 02/2023
Dandenong, Australia
Life Cycle Assessment Engineer (Internship)
Scipher Technologies
- Led a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of 1,000kg of e-waste, identifying inefficiencies and optimising recycling strategies.
- Optimised recycling techniques, leading to an 80% reduction in human toxicity impact and a 93.19% decrease in carbon emissions .
10/2018 – 10/2018
Coimbatore, India
Engineer Trainee (Internship)
Roots industries india private limited
- Designed and developed Buck and Boost Converters for Flagship Horn Products.
- Conducted quality testing on halogen lamps, ensuring compliance with industry standards and performance benchmarks.
- Analysed microcontroller designs used in Roots Multiclean products
05/2022 – 11/2024
Sydney, Australia
Customer Executive (Casual)
Peters of kensington
- Delivered personalized customer service, assisting with product selection and resolving inquiries to enhance the customer experience.
- Processed transactions and returns efficiently, ensuring accurate cash handling and adherence to company policies.
- Managed inventory, replenished stock, and maintained visual merchandising standards to support store operations.
08/2016 – 01/2025
Coimbatore, India
Executive Director (Part Time)
Hotel Mahi’s gateway
- Led daily operations, including scheduling, budgeting, and team management, ensuring seamless workflow and operational efficiency.
- Developed and implemented a data-driven reporting system that analysed customer feedback, resulting in a 27% increase in customer satisfaction year over year.
- Migrated operations to an ERP-based system, enhancing process efficiency and quality control, reducing dirty room turnaround time by 23%, and cutting operational expenses by 14%.
05/2017 – 02/2022
Coimbatore, India
Chief Web Developer, Cofounder
vibrand
- Collaborated with renowned brands in Coimbatore (SSVM, Globuse Realtors, S&T Engineering, SAEW Transformers) to transform their corporate identity and digital presence.
- Led brand strategy, design, and project management, managing a 6-member team to deliver cohesive digital experiences.
- Oversaw communications and client engagement, ensuring seamless execution of projects from concept to completion.
Research & Projects
Research & Projects
DISCLAIMER
All projects showcased on this website are academic projects completed as part of coursework, research, or personal learning. These are not commercial projects affiliated with any company or organization.
Research Projects
The Underperformance Of PV Systems – DC Systems
This research addresses the underperformance of photovoltaic (PV) systems due to shading effects on the DC side using LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and Geographic
Solar Power Prediction through AI Models
The paper explores the prediction of solar power generation using machine learning algorithms and real-time weather data. Accurate solar power prediction is essential for effective
Capstone Projects
Electricity Industry Operation and Renewable Curtailment
The project focuses on understanding the causes, impacts, and potential solutions for renewable energy curtailment in Australia’s electricity industry.
Comparative Study of LCA between Disposable Single Use Mask and Reusable Cloth Mask
This report presents a comparative Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of two types of masks—Disposable 3-Layer Masks and Reusable 3-Layer Cotton Masks—using OpenLCA with the ReCiPe Midpoint (H) characterization
36.7MW Utility Scale Solar PV System
The report describes the design and implementation of a 37.75 MWp utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) plant in Kianga, Queensland. Key details of the project are as follows:
Commercial Rooftop Solar PV System
The report details the design and development of a 294kW roof-mounted grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) system for the FEDEX Express Logistics Warehouse in Botany, NSW.
Jangkrik Offshore Development – Project Management Report
The Jangkrik Offshore Development Project is a large-scale initiative by ENI, a multinational energy company, aiming to enhance gas production in Indonesia.
Stand-alone Power System Design
The report outlines the design of a reliable and cost-effective stand-alone solar power system for a tourist lodge at Cape Otway, Victoria (-38.83°S, 143.512°E).
Education
2022-2024
Sydney, Australia
Masters of Engineering Science
Photovoltaics and Solar Energy
PV System Design, Photovoltaics, Renewable Energy System Modelling & Analysis, Hybrid Energy Systems, Electricity Industry Operation & Control, Energy Storage, Low Energy Buildings & PV, Life Cycle Assessment, Engineering Project Management, Process and Product Quality Control, Masters Project
2016-2020
Coimbatore, India
Bachelor of Technology
Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Renewable Energy and Energy Conservation, Smart Grid, Utilization of Electric Energy, Environment Science and Sustainability, Electrical Energy Systems I & II, Electric Drives and Control, Electrical Machines I & II, Power Electronics, Microcontroller and Applications, Digital Image Processing, Technical Communication, Business Communication
Certifications & Licenses
Grid-Connected Photovoltaic Systems (Design Only)
Solar Accreditation Australia – S9994207
February, 2025
University of Michigan – Z3GCE8B98H57
October, 2020
