This document is a model job description for site technicians working on ground mounted utility-scale solar installations. It has been developed by Solar Energy UK’s Skills and Workforce Steering Group and sets out the key responsibilities of the role as well as the skills and qualifications expected.
Please note that this document does not include any specific requirements around high voltage maintenance, although approaches to this can differ across the industry. In some cases a site technician will work in a team with high voltage specialists, while in others they may be expected to undertake high voltage maintenance themselves in which case additional experience and qualifications to those listed here will be required.
Responsibilities:
Health and Safety: Understand and identify risks at site, follow company and site-specific risk assessment and method statements/statement of works, be aware of health and safety issues and report any on-site concerns to relevant managers. Ensure that tasks are performed in accordance with industry best practice and in line with all relevant laws and regulations.
Maintenance Activities: Perform scheduled maintenance and corrective maintenance works for solar plants to ensure their successful ongoing operation.
Site Responsibility: Take primary on-site responsibility for plant performance, work quality, site security and appearance, including electrical systems, basic landscaping and other elements. Ensure that third-party visitors are inducted and safe at all times.
Coordination: Maintain regular contact with all relevant planners, managers and supervisors to co-ordinate site works effectively and seek guidance where needed.
Collaborate with other site technicians to resolve tasks and provide necessary information to all relevant planners, managers and supervisors in a professional, complete, and timely manner.
Liaise with internal and external parties such as in-house low voltage (LV), high voltage (HV) and ground maintenance teams, sub-contractors, and other third parties as directed.
Undertake all required training and development opportunities professionally and diligently.
Must be able to travel to site as required with all necessary tools and equipment.
Skills and Experience:
Experience of installation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, ideally at utility-scale level.
Experience of network diagnostics and remote communications experience.
Familiarity with earthing systems including measuring and monitoring relays.
Understanding of central/string inverters.
Excellent computer skills with a high degree of proficiency in common Microsoft applications (including Excel) as well as performance monitoring software.
Knowledge of power electronics and circuitry, power generation technologies and equipment.
Understanding of CCTV systems.
Commitment to continuing professional development.
Qualifications:
Essential:
Level 3 Award in an Electrical, Mechanical or Engineering discipline, including AM2 end-point assessment.
Level 3 BS 7671 Requirements for Electrical Installations (current edition).
Apprenticeship in Electrical Installation, or equivalent.
Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Gold Card.
Desirable:
Level 3 Award in Inspection and Testing of Electrical Installations.
Qualifications or training in relevant solar PV inverter technologies.
Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) or National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) certification.
Details of industry recognised qualifications, including equivalents in devolved nations, can be found in the EAS Qualifications Guide.
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