Job Overview
The O&M Performance Analyst is responsible for monitoring analysing and optimizing the operational performance of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants.
This role plays a key part in ensuring that solar assets operate efficiently reliably and in line with contractual performance guarantees. The ideal candidate will have a strong analytical background experience with solar monitoring platforms and a good understanding of PV system components and operations.
This position is vital to maintaining plant uptime maximizing energy yield and supporting long-term asset value. The senior engineer will be based in Cape Town and reports to the O&M HOD.
Key Responsibilities
- Monitor the real-time and historical performance of PV assets via SCADA monitoring platforms (e.g. SoalrEdge VCOM etc.).
- Analyse PR (Performance Ratio) energy yield availability irradiation and losses across portfolios.
- Compare actual vs expected performance based on P50/P90 forecasts and weather data.
- Detect anomalies and underperformance (e.g. inverter failures soiling string outages).
- Generate weekly and monthly O&M performance reports.
- Prepare KPI dashboards for internal teams and external stakeholders (owners asset managers etc.).
- Track compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and technical KPIs. Investigate causes of downtime alarms and losses.
- Work closely with field technicians and site teams to resolve technical issues. Escalate critical or recurring faults for engineering review.
- Maintain clean and structured databases for performance data.
- Support data ingestion and integration from various data sources (SCADA weather stations CMMS).
- Contribute to the development of automated tools alerts and analytics models. Recommend improvements in preventive maintenance strategies based on data trends.
- Support warranty claim documentation through evidence-based fault tracking.
Knowledge skills and abilities
- Strong analytical mindset with attention to detail.
- Good communication skills ability to translate data into actionable insights. Time management and ability to prioritize tasks across multiple sites. Proactive self-driven and collaborative approach to working with cross-functional teams.
- Knowledge of SCADA systems.
- Understanding of South African grid codes
- Knowledge of PV system design grid-tied inverters string-level monitoring and MV/LV systems.
- Qualifications/Requirements
- Diploma in Engineering or Computer Science.
- At least 3 years experience in plant performance monitoring or solar PV asset management.
Experience in Meteocontrol VCOM is compulsory