Solar Technician at CPF Financial Services

Job purpose:

• To install, commission, operate, maintain and troubleshoot solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and associated electrical equipment safely and efficiently. The role ensures that installations comply with approved designs, applicable Kenyan electrical requirements, manufacturer specifications and customer expectations. The Solar Technician will support the delivery of reliable solar PV, battery energy-storage and related electrical systems for residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customers.

Key duties and responsibilities: 

Solar PV Installation  

• Install rooftop, ground-mounted and other solar PV systems.  
• Install PV modules, mounting structures, DC cabling, connectors and protection equipment.  
• Install and connect inverters, charge controllers and battery systems.  
• Install DC and AC isolators, combiner boxes, distribution boards and protection devices.  
• Route, terminate, crimp, gland and label cables correctly.  
• Ensure appropriate panel orientation, inclination and shading considerations.  
• Verify the mechanical integrity of mounting structures and installed equipment.  

Electrical Installation 

• Complete electrical wiring and connections associated with solar systems. 
• Install AC distribution systems and protection equipment. 
• Earth and bond PV and electrical equipment. 
• Install surge-protection devices and appropriate circuit protection. 
• Interface solar systems with existing electrical installations and utility supplies where applicable. 
• Assist with generator, grid, battery and solar hybrid-system integration. 

Testing and Commissioning 

• Conduct pre-commissioning inspections. 
• Test DC voltage, current, polarity, insulation resistance and continuity. 
• Verify AC voltage, frequency, phase sequence and protection settings. 
• Commission inverters, batteries and monitoring systems. 
• Identify and rectify installation defects before handover. 
• Record commissioning results, equipment settings and performance checks. 

Operation and Maintenance 

• Conduct preventive and corrective maintenance on solar PV systems. 
• Inspect modules, mounting structures, cables, connectors, inverters and batteries. 
• Diagnose faults using appropriate testing instruments and monitoring software. 
• Replace faulty components where authorised. 
• Clean and inspect modules as required. 
• Monitor system performance and identify abnormal generation or battery behaviour. 
• Respond to customer breakdowns and technical service requests. 

Troubleshooting 

• Diagnose and resolve faults, including: 
• Inverter faults and alarms 
• Low PV generation 
• DC insulation and earth faults 
• Over-voltage and under-voltage 
• Battery faults 
• Communication and monitoring failures 
• Loose or damaged connections 
• Circuit-breaker and protection-device trips 
• Poor system performance 
• Grid/inverter synchronisation problems 

Customer Support 

• Explain system operation to customers. 
• Train customers and operators in basic system operation and safety. 
• Provide technical advice on system performance and maintenance. 
• Communicate professionally with customers during site visits. 
• Escalate complaints and technical issues to the relevant supervisor. 

Documentation 

• Complete installation and maintenance checklists. 
• Prepare site inspection reports. 
• Maintain equipment, maintenance and fault records. 
• Record materials and spare parts used. 
• Complete commissioning and handover documentation. 
• Document corrective actions accurately. 
• Submit daily and weekly technical reports as required. 

Health, Safety and Environment 

• Comply with company HSE procedures and applicable Kenyan safety equirements. 
• Use appropriate PPE at all times. 
• Apply electrical isolation and lockout/tagout procedures where applicable. 
• Follow working-at-height requirements when working on rooftops or elevated structures. 
• Handle and install batteries safely. 
• Maintain safe work areas and control electrical and construction hazards. 
• Report accidents, near misses and unsafe conditions immediately. 

Technical competence 

• Solar PV installation 
• Interpretation of solar PV designs 
• DC and AC electrical wiring 
• Inverter installation and configuration 
• Battery energy-storage systems 
• Electrical protection systems 
• Earthing and lightning/surge protection 
• Use of electrical testing instruments 
• Fault diagnosis 
• Preventive maintenance 
• Solar monitoring platforms 
• Reading single-line diagrams 
• Basic system-sizing calculations 

Knowledge, experience, and qualifications required 

Academic & Professional Qualifications/Memberships to professional bodies: 

• Diploma in Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Renewable Energy Engineering or a related technical field  
• Relevant solar PV installation and maintenance training or certification, valid electrical installation licence or certification  
• Registration or licensing with relevant Kenyan regulatory bodies  
• Knowledge of electrical wiring, protection systems and basic electrical engineering principles.  
• Ability to read electrical drawings and solar PV system diagrams  
• 3 to 4 years of practical experience in solar PV installation, electrical works, commissioning or maintenance