Solar Operations and Maintenance Manager

Description

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

The Solar O&M Manager is responsible for the day-to-day technical, operational, and commercial performance of Teraco’s utility scale solar plant(s) and a portfolio of rooftop solar PV assets. The role focuses on the development, implementation and continuous improvement of Teraco’s solar asset management strategy to maximise energy yield and availability of Teraco’s solar assets through accurate performance monitoring | reporting and effective operation and maintenance oversight of 3rd party O&M service providers.

MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE JOB

O&M Management Strategy and Framework :

• Develop and implement a formal asset management strategy for the solar PV portfolio aligned with business objectives.
• Establish asset management policies and procedures covering operations, maintenance, lifecycle planning, and performance management.
• Define performance KPI frameworks including availability, performance ratio, degradation and lifecycle cost metrics.
• Implement structured asset health monitoring, risk management, and continuous improvement processes.
• Contribute to long-term asset and portfolio optimisation strategies, including plant upgrades / expansion / retrofit options and introduction of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at Teraco sites.

Management and Operations:

• Manage the operational performance of Teraco’s solar PV assets to meet or exceed availability, yield, and financial targets.
• Oversee 3rd party O&M service providers, including contract management, KPI tracking, and performance reviews.
• Implement and refine preventative and corrective maintenance strategies aligned with the asset management strategy.
• Support lifecycle planning for key critical solar plant components.
• Monitor plant performance via SCADA | performance monitoring platforms to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Lead root-cause analysis of solar system underperformance and drive corrective and preventative actions.
• Manage warranties, performance guarantees, and OEM claims.
• Ensure compliance with grid, permitting, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare and present asset performance, operational, and risk reports for internal stakeholders.
• Support budget preparation, opex forecasting, and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Provide technical and operational inputs to financial models and investment decisions.
• Ensure consistent application of all stipulated Teraco company rules, policies and procedures in compliance to the Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993, ISO 45001:2018, ISO 27001:2022 and ISO 9001:2015 Standards.

Handover of Solar Assets to Operations:

• Support commissioning, testing, and operational readiness of new build rooftop solar PV assets.
• Ensure effective transfer of documentation, spares, warranties, and knowledge into operations.

Solar PV and BESS project Development and Implementation:

• Support the development of BESS projects, including technical assessments, sizing inputs and behind the meter | grid integration considerations.
• Participate in tender evaluations, technology selection, and vendor engagement.
• Support commissioning, testing, and operational readiness of BESS assets.
• Contribute to development of BESS operational and management strategies.

Requirements

SKILLS REQUIREMENT

• Strong contractor and stakeholder management skills
• Practical, hands-on technical leadership
• Analytical & problem solving skills
• Ability to develop structured processes and translate them into operational action
• Communication Skills, both verbal and written
• Strong organising, planning, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to anticipate and manage risks.
• Ability to thrive in a very fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work in a team and collaborate with senior level individuals within and outside Teraco.
• Ability to work independently & a positive team player.
• Self-motivated.
• Professional conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• BSc (Engineering), BEng or BTech (Electrical, Mechanical or energy related discipline)
• 3+ years’ experience in renewable energy, with strong exposure to solar PV operations and asset management.
• Practical experience operating and maintaining utility-scale or commercial solar PV plants.
• Experience developing and implementing asset management strategies or frameworks.
• Solid understanding of grid-connected solar PV systems and compliance requirements.
• Exposure to hybrid PV-BESS systems is desirable.