Job ID:
81614
Published date:
13-08-2026
Summary
Job Title:
Senior Solar Technician
Job Purpose:
Our client is seeking a Senior Solar PV Technician who will be responsible for all preventive and corrective maintenance of the solar plant, ensuring that all HSE procedures and standards are strictly followed. The successful candidate will be responsible for maximising the availability and performance ratio of the solar plant, preparing technical reports on plant events and conducting root cause analyses. The role will also involve identifying opportunities for plant optimisation and supporting the implementation of optimisation projects under the guidance of the Plant Manager and Engineering Manager.
Responsibilities & Skills:
- Perform substation maintenance in accordance with the annual maintenance schedule.
- Conduct E-House maintenance as per the annual maintenance schedule.
- Perform General Junction Box (GJB) maintenance according to the annual maintenance schedule.
- Perform Array Junction Box (AJB) maintenance as per the annual maintenance schedule.
- Conduct infrared scans of PV panels, AJBs, GJBs, transformers, and inverters.
- Perform scheduled inspections of the substation, E-House, GJBs, and AJBs.
- Inspect, test, diagnose, and maintain the CCTV system.
- Respond promptly to all alarms triggered on the solar plant.
- Resolve all plant trips as quickly as possible.
- Attend to breakdowns, conduct fault-finding and root cause analysis, and repair or replace faulty equipment while minimising energy losses.
- Diagnose and replace faulty PV panels.
- Diagnose, test, repair, and/or replace cables, cable interconnections, PV junction/string boxes, connectors, and fuses.
- Diagnose, test, repair, and/or replace transformers.
- Diagnose, test, repair, and/or replace HV yard equipment.
- Diagnose, repair, and/or replace switchgear and control gear within PV systems.
- Maintain the solar/diesel hybrid system, including batteries.
- Apply root cause analysis techniques to all major and recurring faults.
- Investigate technical failures and prepare formal technical reports.
- Generate Work Order (WO) requests for on-site interventions through the CMMS/ERP system.
- Ensure and enforce HSE compliance among contractors.
- Work closely with the Power Engineer on plant optimisation, reliability improvements, and future CAPEX projects.
- Perform standby duties as required.
- Assist with facility maintenance, minor civil repairs, water systems, drainage, basic plumbing, mechanical fittings, tools, equipment, and general site infrastructure.
- Train and mentor interns.
- Liaise with Eskom Control as required.
- Prepare Requests for Quotation (RFQs) as needed.
- Maintain accurate records and manage spare parts movements.
- Report significant plant events to the Plant Manager and Power Engineer.
- Perform any other duties reasonably assigned by the Plant Manager in line with the role
Qualifications & Experience:
- Minimum N3 qualification (or NQF equivalent) with electrical subjects; N6, National Diploma, or equivalent is preferred.
- Up-to-date Portfolio of Evidence (POE) is required.
- Valid Code B driver’s licence is required.
- Red Seal qualification is preferred.
- Minimum 2 years’ utility experience in a power plant or relevant industrial environment is desirable.
- Working knowledge and experience of PV plants is advantageous.
- Experience in LV, MV, and HV switching.
- Experience with Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) procedures.
- Working knowledge of power system protection.
- Ability to read and interpret single-line diagrams and electrical schematics.
- Cable jointing qualifications and experience are advantageous.
- Experience with SCADA systems, including data analysis, trend investigation, and reporting.
- General experience with ERP/CMMS systems.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, and Excel.
- Experience with Simotion and Sinamics is advantageous.
- Experience in PLC troubleshooting and maintenance is advantageous.