Sr Solar Technician - Inverter

Job Description

The senior solar technician is responsible for commissioning, inspecting, maintaining and troubleshooting inverters at solar sites. This position is also for the maintenance and repair of all electrical generation and distribution equipment associated with the PV Solar equipment. Responsible for troubleshooting instrumentation and calibration of the instruments in a complex distributed control system, inverter troubleshooting and other maintenance work, for which they are qualified to safety and efficiently perform.

Overtime, shift work and travel may be required. Work is performed under supervision and direction from the maintenance supervisor.

• Perform preventative and corrective maintenance on solar inverters. (20%)
• Perform local plant and unit startup, monitoring, and shutdown as well as preparation and implementation of clearances, switching (emergency and routine), pre-operational and performance testing, and return to service. (10%)
• Perform emergency, preventive, and predictive maintenance on equipment associated with a PV Solar power generating facility. (20%)
• Maintain logs and records as required to record complete operating conditions for the facility and report any irregularities. (5%)
• Perform diagnostic and routine maintenance on PLCs and associated systems, Protective Relays, Utility Switchyards, and Communication Systems. (10%)
• Create, plan, document work performed, and close work orders as required using the work management system. (10%)
• Fill out and timely submit documentation reports, inspection reports, safety inspections/observations, time sheets, work orders, parts consumption and all other required documentation. (5%)
• Maintain areas in neat condition, clean up work areas and properly dispose waste per company policies. (10%)
• Operate and inspect forklifts, trucks and other powered equipment as authorized. (5%)
• Perform work independently and/or in assigned work crews. (5%)

• Possess a 2-year technical degree or equivalent Journeyman certification/qualifications, and 5+ years of experience, preferably 1 year minimum as a Lead Technician and/or Project Manager.
• Ability to communicate clearly verbal and written information and directives; troubleshoot equipment and system problems; detect and correct faulty instruments and control devices; install special or sensitive instruments; prioritize work; read and understand technical information, prints, and engineering data; interpret charts, graphs, and gauge scales; and interface and work with other.
• Knowledge of complex analog and digital instrumentation and control systems; proper methods for troubleshooting, repairing, and adjusting instruments and control systems; proper and safe methods to clean equipment; safe use of tools; plant safety rules; reporting procedures and practices; maintenance procedures and practices; electrical and mechanical prints, and PV Solar plant terminology and nomenclature.
• Knowledge of ABB Power One 1500 and/or SMA CP inverters. Must be able to use a personal computer keyboard and printer, engineering station keyboard, and various test equipment.
• Should have good working ability with MS Office programs.
• Must be able to articulate sufficiently to provide complex technical explanations.
• Must be able to read and comprehend highly technical instruction books and manuals.
• Qualified to perform all routine and emergency operations at an electric generation facility and HV Switchyard.
• Normal plant and/or office environment, including working at heights, high/low ambient temperatures and high humidity areas.
• Requires standing, sitting, walking, kneeling, twisting, climbing stairs and ladders, and entering plant equipment to access, inspect or collect data on plant equipment.
• Requires use or wear of personal protective safety equipment (respirators, safety glasses, hard hat, appropriate footwear, ear plugs, etc.).
• May be required to work around rotating and energized equipment, hazardous materials, and chemicals. Occasionally requires lifting to 70 pounds, to perform duties and responsibilities.
• Performs other duties as assigned. Work overtime and non-standard working hours (nights) as required. Travel required as needed.