Solar O&M Asset Manager

Solar O&M Asset Manager

Department: Operations & Maintenance 

Reports To: Director of Asset Management / VP of Operations 

Employment Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Solar O&M Asset Manager is responsible for overseeing the operational performance, financial health, and long-term value of a portfolio of commercial, and/or distributed solar PV assets. This role serves as the primary interface between internal stakeholders, O&M contractors, investors, and offtakers, ensuring that all sites operate safely, reliably, and in compliance with contractual and regulatory obligations.

Key Responsibilities

Asset Performance & Monitoring

• Monitor real-time and historical plant performance using SCADA, DAS, and energy management platforms; investigate and resolve underperformance issues
• Track and analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) including PR (Performance Ratio), availability, specific yield, and capacity factor
• Coordinate with O&M contractors to ensure timely corrective and preventive maintenance activities
• Review and approve work orders, maintenance schedules, and outage plans

Contract & Vendor Management

• Manage O&M, EPC warranty, inverter service, and balance-of-plant service agreements
• Evaluate contractor performance against SLAs and KPIs; hold vendors accountable through regular performance reviews
• Solicit and evaluate bids for new service contracts or change orders
• Escalate warranty claims with equipment OEMs and EPC contractors

Financial Oversight

• Develop, manage, and report on site-level operating budgets and capital expenditure (CapEx) plans
• Review and approve contractor invoices; track spend against budget
• Support annual business plan preparation and long-term asset life cycle planning
• Identify and implement cost optimization opportunities without compromising performance or reliability

Reporting & Stakeholder Communication

• Prepare and deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual asset performance reports for investors, lenders, and internal leadership
• Interface with tax equity partners, project finance lenders, and offtakers regarding operational matters
• Maintain accurate asset records including site documentation, permits, warranties, and easement agreements

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure sites comply with NERC/FERC requirements, interconnection agreements, PPA obligations, and local regulatory requirements
• Oversee health, safety, and environmental (HSE) compliance across the portfolio
• Identify operational, financial, and technical risks; develop and implement mitigation strategies
• Support insurance renewals and manage claims related to asset damage or equipment failure

Technical Support & Projects

• Evaluate and manage repowering, upgrade, or retrofit projects to extend asset life or improve performance
• Support due diligence for acquisitions, refinancings, or asset dispositions
• Stay current on solar technology trends, equipment reliability data, and industry best practices

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Energy Management, or a related field
• 3–7 years of experience in solar or renewable energy asset management, O&M, or project engineering
• Solid understanding of solar PV systems, including inverters, trackers, transformers, SCADA/DAS, and grid interconnection
• Experience managing O&M contractors and service agreements
• Proficiency in energy performance monitoring platforms (e.g., PowerFactors, Raptor Maps, SolarEdge, SMA, etc.)
• Strong financial acumen; experience with budget management and variance analysis
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred

• MBA or advanced technical degree
• Experience with utility-scale and/or distributed generation (DG) portfolios
• Familiarity with PPAs, LTSA agreements, and tax equity structures
• NABCEP certification or equivalent
• Experience with CMMS platforms (e.g., UpKeep, Fiix, IBM Maximo)
• Knowledge of NERC reliability standards and FERC interconnection requirements

Competencies

• Analytical and data-driven decision-making
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple assets simultaneously
• Proactive problem-solver with attention to detail
• Effective cross-functional collaborator and communicator
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment

Working Conditions

• Office-based with regular travel to project sites (up to 25–30%)
• Occasional work in outdoor environments including solar fields; ability to work in varying weather conditions required

Compensation

• Competitive base salary commensurate with experience
• Performance-based bonus
• Benefits package including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, and PTO