The Rise and Shine of a Solar Technician
The sun’s rays peek through the blinds, signaling the start of another day for Kiera Nelson, a solar technician at Southern Power. As she sips her morning coffee, she can’t help but feel a sense of excitement – after all, her job revolves around harnessing the power of the very thing that’s waking her up.
“My day literally starts with the sun,” Kiera says with a grin. “As a solar technician, I have to be on top of my game from the moment that first ray of light hits the solar panels.”
Kiera’s role is crucial in ensuring the smooth operation of the utility-scale solar power plant she oversees in Taylor County, Georgia. From monitoring the inverters, which convert the sun’s DC energy into AC power for the grid, to troubleshooting any start-up issues, her work is essential in keeping the facility running at peak efficiency.
Just like Kiera describes, the timing of the sun’s appearance can have a significant impact on her daily routine. “The time of year can vary when our days in the field begin,” she explains. “In the summer, when the sun rises earlier, we’re out there bright and early. In the winter, when the days are shorter, we might start a bit later.”
But no matter the season, Kiera and her team are always on the lookout for any potential issues that could disrupt the plant’s operations. “We’re constantly watching for start-up problems with the inverters,” she says. “That’s where the real action happens – that’s when the sun’s power is converted into the electricity that powers our homes and businesses.”
Troubleshooting and Preventive Maintenance
Kiera’s day-to-day responsibilities cover a wide range of tasks, from troubleshooting equipment malfunctions to conducting preventive maintenance. “Every day at work is different,” she admits. “We start off with a safety discussion, then we map out our plan for the day, making sure we time things just right.”
One of Kiera’s least favorite days? “The rainy ones,” she says with a wince. “Sure, there’s stuff we can do in the office, but we can’t go out into the field when it’s raining. That really puts a damper on our plans.”
However, Kiera and her team have developed a keen eye for spotting potential issues before they become a problem. “We’re constantly looking for equipment that’s not tracking correctly, or breaker trips and motor stalls,” she explains. “And we always make sure to do our preventive maintenance to avoid any major breakdowns.”
Kiera’s background in electrical engineering has certainly come in handy, allowing her to quickly diagnose and address any technical problems that arise. “If we do find an issue, we have to take care of it at night or early in the morning, before the plant starts up for the day,” she says. “We can’t let anything affect the production – our goal is to keep this place running as efficiently as possible.”
Improvement Projects and the Future of Solar
While Kiera’s day-to-day tasks can be demanding, she finds a sense of satisfaction in the work she does. “I’m never bored, and I’m always learning something new,” she says. “There are enough new challenges to keep me on my toes, and I love being able to contribute to the plant’s performance.”
One particular project that Kiera is proud of involved addressing an issue with overheating inverters. “We had an inverter that was running a bit too hot, so I set up some remote temperature monitoring to keep an eye on it,” she explains. “That way, we could get an alert if the temperatures started to rise and address the problem before it caused a bigger issue, like a disconnect.”
Kiera’s dedication to her work and her passion for renewable energy are evident in the way she speaks about her job. “I definitely plan on staying with this company,” she says. “But I can see myself moving into a controls or SCADA position down the line, where I can really dig into the data and make improvements to the plant’s operations.”
As for the future of solar power, Kiera is nothing but optimistic. “The amount of power collected from solar energy worldwide has increased 300-fold since 2000,” she says. “And with all the attention being spent on developing better storage systems, the future of renewable energy is looking brighter than ever.”
Kiera’s role may seem like a small cog in the grand scheme of things, but her work is crucial in powering the renewable energy revolution. From the moment the sun rises to the moment it sets, Kiera is there, ensuring that every watt of solar power is harnessed and put to good use.
“The more we can use solar and wind, the better,” she says with conviction. “It’s an exciting time to be in this industry, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”
