Utility-Scale Site Technician | Newcastle

Overview

With the UK government’s ambitious goal of delivering 60GW of solar power by 2030, Solar Careers UK are on a mission to help recruit, train, and place over 43,000 new professionals into rewarding careers within the solar and battery storage industry. Solar Careers UK is a division of Solar Energy UK, the trade association representing over 425 solar businesses across the country. Many of these companies specialise in delivering high-quality solar installations for domestic, commercial, and utility-scale projects. For the industry’s most in-demand jobs, we have been asked to assist with the recruitment of full-time, permanent installation teams from across all regions of the United Kingdom. By completing this application Solar Careers UK can help connect you to Utility-Scale Site Technician | Newcastle live job vacancies that match your skills and experience, and provide guidance on the qualifications and training needed to pursue your chosen career in the solar sector.

Job description for site technicians working on ground mounted utility-scale solar installations and sets out the key responsibilities of the role as well as the skills and qualifications expected. This 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.

Note: New entrants welcome.

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.

New Entrants

Typically, new entrants will require GCSEs or equivalent in Maths and English and completion of a recognised apprenticeship (or vocational training programme).

Experienced

The typical pathway for an experienced electrician to become a utility-scale site technician is to achieve a relevant level 3 qualification (see those listed below).

Minimum entry requirements:

• UK driving licence
• UK electrician’s certification (e.g. Level 3 NVQ Award in the Requirements for electrical installation BS7671)
• Your employer may require you to attend specific PV inverter technology training
• Hold a Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) Gold Card

An employer may also wish you to hold either NEBOSH National General Certificate in Occupational Health and Safety or the IOSH Level 6 Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health Leadership and Management

Benefits

In addition to salary, other benefits might include a company vehicle, overtime, performance bonuses, holiday allowance and support with further skills development.

New applicants are encouraged to apply; we look forward to receiving your application as a first step toward joining our vibrant solar industry.

For more information on how to obtain a career in Solar Energy, visit solarcareersuk.org to discover information on jobs, training, suitable qualifications, events and video case studies. Stay connected by following Solar Careers UK on LinkedIn.