Solar O&M Manager

Network Finance; Centurion; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Network Finance seeks an experienced Solar O&M Manager to oversee the operational performance and maintenance of utility-scale or commercial solar installations. You will lead maintenance teams, coordinate service providers and optimise plant energy generation while ensuring HSE compliance.

The role requires a strong electrical engineering background, hands-on maintenance leadership and a track record in solar asset management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor-level electrical engineering qualification or equivalent.
• Experience in solar PV operations, maintenance or asset management.
• Proven track record managing technical teams and contractors.
• Strong understanding of solar PV systems and power generation equipment.
• Experience with SCADA and remote monitoring for performance analysis.

Responsibilities

• Oversee O&M for solar PV plants to maximise performance and availability.
• Develop preventive, corrective and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Monitor performance, energy generation and system availability.
• Manage maintenance budgets, warranties, SLAs and OEM relationships.
• Lead teams of technicians and external service providers.
• Analyse SCADA data to identify faults and optimise performance.
• Ensure compliance with electrical safety regulations and standards.
• Prepare operational reports on KPIs, downtime and costs.

Skills

Team leadership

Maintenance planning

Data analysis

Electrical safety compliance

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's Degree/BTech/National Diploma in Electrical Engineering

Tools

SCADA systems

Remote monitoring platforms

Fault diagnosis tools

Job description

An exciting opportunity exists for an experienced Solar Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Manager to oversee the operational performance, maintenance and technical optimisation of solar PV installations. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring maximum plant availability, energy generation, operational efficiency and compliance with relevant industry standards.
This role requires a technically strong and commercially minded professional with experience managing solar PV assets, maintenance teams, service providers and operational performance across utility-scale or commercial solar installations.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the overall operations and maintenance activities of solar PV plants and installations, ensuring optimal system performance, reliability and availability.
• Develop, implement and oversee preventative, corrective and predictive maintenance strategies to minimise equipment failures and operational downtime.
• Monitor solar plant performance, energy generation, system availability and performance ratios to identify operational inefficiencies and opportunities for improvement.
• Oversee the maintenance and performance of solar PV modules, inverters, transformers, switchgear, substations, electrical distribution systems and associated balance-of-system equipment.
• Coordinate scheduled maintenance activities, inspections, testing, fault finding and repairs across solar installations.
• Manage and supervise technical teams, field technicians, contractors and external service providers to ensure effective maintenance and operational delivery.
• Analyse SCADA data, monitoring systems and performance reports to identify faults, investigate underperformance and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure compliance with electrical safety regulations, environmental requirements, operational procedures and applicable industry standards.
• Manage equipment warranties, maintenance contracts, service-level agreements (SLAs) and relationships with OEMs and technical suppliers.
• Oversee spare parts management, maintenance budgets, procurement requirements and operational expenditure.
• Investigate equipment failures and recurring technical issues, implementing root cause analysis and long‑term solutions to improve plant reliability.
• Prepare and present regular operational reports covering plant performance, maintenance activities, energy production, downtime, costs and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Work closely with engineering, project management and commercial teams to support asset optimisation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure effective health, safety and environmental (HSE) practices across all operations and maintenance activities.
• Identify opportunities to improve energy yields, reduce operating costs and extend the operational lifespan of solar assets.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree, BTech or National Diploma in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Proven experience in solar PV operations, maintenance or renewable energy asset management.
• Previous experience managing technical teams, contractors and maintenance activities.
• Strong understanding of solar PV systems, electrical infrastructure and power generation equipment.
• Experience with SCADA systems, remote monitoring platforms and solar plant performance analysis.
• Knowledge of preventative and corrective maintenance methodologies.
• Understanding of electrical safety regulations, statutory compliance and relevant industry standards.
• Strong financial, operational and project management capabilities.

Technical Competencies

• Solar PV plant operations and maintenance.
• Utility-scale and/or commercial solar installations.
• Inverter and PV system troubleshooting.
• Electrical distribution and substation infrastructure.
• SCADA monitoring and performance analysis.
• Preventative and predictive maintenance planning.
• Root cause analysis and fault diagnosis.
• Asset performance optimisation.
• Contractor and OEM management.
• Maintenance budgeting and cost control.