What are the responsibilities and job description for the Solar Field Technician position at Vallum Associate?
Job Summary
The O&M Solar Field Technician will be responsible for the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of Commercial & Industrial (C&I) solar PV plants. The role involves hands-on fieldwork, preventive and corrective maintenance, inverter-level troubleshooting, and coordination with remote monitoring and engineering teams to ensure optimal plant performance and maximum uptime.
Key Responsibilities : Operations & Maintenance
- Perform routine operation and maintenance (O&M) activities on C&I solar PV systems.
- Conduct preventive maintenance (PM) as per schedules, including inspections, testing, and reporting.
- Carry out corrective maintenance (CM) to resolve equipment failures and performance issues.
- Ensure compliance with site-specific SOPs, OEM guidelines, and safety standards.
Troubleshooting & Technical Support
- Diagnose and troubleshoot issues in solar PV systems, including:
- Inverters
- String and combiner boxes
- AC/DC cabling
- Protection systems
- Communication and monitoring equipment
- Perform advanced troubleshooting on inverters from the following OEMs:
- SMA
- Fronius
- Satcon
- Ingersoll Rand
- Power Electronics
- Enphase
- Advanced Energy
- SolarEdge
- Coordinate with OEM technical support teams for complex fault resolution and warranty claims.
Monitoring & Reporting
- Monitor plant performance using SCADA and remote monitoring systems.
- Identify underperforming systems and initiate corrective actions.
- Prepare and submit daily, weekly, and monthly O&M reports, including:
- Energy generation
- Downtime analysis
- Fault reports
- Maintenance logs
Safety & Compliance
- Adhere to all electrical safety, LOTO (Lockout/Tagout), and site safety protocols.
- Conduct site work in compliance with local electrical codes and company HSE policies.
- Participate in safety audits, toolbox talks, and incident investigations as required.
Coordination & Support
- Coordinate with project managers, asset managers, and subcontractors.
- Support commissioning activities, inverter replacements, and system upgrades.
- Assist during client visits, audits, and performance reviews.
Qualifications & ExperienceEducation
- Diploma or ITI in Electrical, Electronics, Renewable Energy, or related field
- (Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering is a plus)
Experience
- 2–5 years of hands-on experience in O&M of solar PV plants, preferably C&I projects
- Proven experience troubleshooting multiple inverter brands, especially SMA, Fronius, SolarEdge, Enphase, and Power Electronics
Technical Skills
- Strong understanding of solar PV system design and operation
- Experience with:
- String and central inverters
- AC/DC protection systems
- SCADA and plant monitoring platforms
- Ability to read and interpret:
- Electrical drawings
- Single-line diagrams (SLDs)
- Datasheets and manuals
- Basic networking and communication troubleshooting (RS485, Ethernet, Modbus)
Soft Skills
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Ability to work independently in the field
- Good communication and documentation skills
- Willingness to travel and work at multiple project sites
Preferred Certifications (Optional but Advantageous)
- OEM inverter certifications (SMA, SolarEdge, Enphase, etc.)
- Electrical safety or HV/LV authorization
- Solar PV technician or renewable energy certifications
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $50.00 - $55.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40 per week
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $50 - $55