Basic Job Functions: The Production Operator is the entry-level position for solar panel manufacturing at First Solar. The assigned area will be limited to our Finishing operation within the plant. The Production Operator is responsible for safe operation of specific equipment, materials, and processes to manufacture high-quality photovoltaic solar modules at the required rate is the core function. The Production Operator performs operational preventative maintenance procedures, responds to machine alarms, performs basic quality control procedures, and interfaces with equipment and factory computer systems. Education/Experience: • No diploma or experience required. Required Skills/Competencies: • Safety First mindset. • Must be able to work in a team environment. • Basic problem solving and critical thinking skills. • Basic reading, writing, and math skills. • Good communication skills. • Ability to use mobile systems, communication devices, and simple tool interfaces. • Ability to interface with machine control panels, recognize quality, perform data analytics, troubleshoot issues, and problem-solve. Essential Responsibilities: • Adheres to all safety procedures and practices good housekeeping. • Performs assigned job duties in accordance with all written work instructions and procedures. • Works in a large manufacturing space, often without line-of-sight to direct supervision. • Performs simple maintenance on equipment in the required time with hand tools and instrumentation. • Safely operates and maintains tools and equipment used to manufacture solar modules at acceptable quality and throughput levels per control plan. • Ensures proper inventory levels of materials and parts at point of use. • Monitors process data and makes decisions based on procedures to maintain process control. • Loads or unloads photovoltaic modules as needed to support line rate, isolate quality issues, or as otherwise instructed. Properly identifies modules removed from line. • Responds to tool alarms or non-standard conditions per work instruction and escalates issues that cannot be fixed immediately. • Collects data and provides reporting (written, oral, or via computer/devices) when requested. • Provides communication with team members and leadership during shift changes. • Ensures waste materials are discarded in their designated containers and containers properly sealed. • Job description subject to change at any time. • Other duties as assigned. Reporting Relationships: • No direct reports. Travel: • No regular travel is required outside the First Solar work site. Estimated Salary Range: • $15.00 hourly US Physical Requirements: Manufacturing & Maintenance Physical Requirements: • Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day. • Will climb stairs on an occasional basis. • Will exert up to 58 pounds of force to lift, push or pull on a seldom basis. • Will lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on a frequent basis. • Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instructions. • Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis. • Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force on an occasional basis. • Will push or pull up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis. • Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively on a frequent basis. • 20/40 vision in each eye, with or without correction, is required. • Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures. • May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis. • May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis. • Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards) • All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair). Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required. Company DescriptionFirst Solar in Louisiana First Solar is expanding its American solar manufacturing footprint into the heart of Acadiana in Iberia Parish with a new advanced manufacturing facility, which is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2026. The new facility will use First Solar’s proprietary process to transform sheets of glass into fully functioning solar panels - capable of generating clean electricity from sunlight - in approximately four-and-a-half hours.
See More Details >>UpTalent is seeking a Solar Technician (Utility) for a position in Lafayette, LA, offering a starting pay of $30/hr plus benefits. Responsibilities include troubleshooting project system issues, providing training, performing routine maintenance, and collaborating with teams to enhance system performance. Candidates should have 2-5+ years of field experience in renewable energy, with a high school diploma required and a college degree preferred. NABCEP Certification is a plus. O&M Solar Technician (Utility) This is an exceptional opportunity to work with a Solar Services company in Allen Parish, Louisiana Job Description: Pay Rate: Starting at $30/hr or more depending on experience plus Medical, Vision and Dental Benefits under a W-2 Contract to Hire Responsibilities: Troubleshoot daily project system issues to meet uptime goals. Provide operation, maintenance and troubleshooting training to operators and others as needed. Diagnose and troubleshoot various project systems issues such as inverters, switchgear, transformers, breakers, communications equipment, etc. Understand hourly production output targets and if there is any danger of not meeting them, execute a plan for correction or elevation of the situation. Follow maintenance schedules and perform routine maintenance (PMs, start-up tests, etc.) on equipment and determine when and what kind of maintenance is needed before elevating the problems to Operations & Maintenance Manager. Identify potential problems and suggest changes or corrective actions. Work with other members of the maintenance team, sub-contractors and other groups to continuously improve system performance, drive product quality and maintenance cost improvement. Communicate cross-functionally across all necessary parts of the organization to achieve resolution to plant issues. Ensure CMMS work orders are complete in their entirety. Prepare documents necessary for procurement and utilization of materials and vendor services. Assist in developing standard operating documents for maintenance, operations and training. Requirements: Minimum 2-5+ years of hands-on experience in field work; renewable energy (Solar, wind or similar) environment is an asset. HS Diploma or GED required. College degree preferred. NABCEP Certification is a plus. Note that if you get hired you must undergo a background and a driving records checks
See More Details >>Basic Job Functions: The Production Technician I is an intermediate level position in the middle submodule to finishing end of the manufacturing process. The core function is to safely operate specific equipment, manage material and processes to manufacture high-quality, photovoltaic solar modules at the required rate. Additionally, Technician I’s will be responsible for conducting operational preventative maintenance procedures, addressing intermediate-level alarms, performing basic quality control procedures, and interface with equipment and factory computer systems. Education and Experience: • External candidates must have: • High School Diploma or GED. • Preference for Associate degree or certificate in a technical discipline. • 1+ Year of Manufacturing experience. • Experiences that will be considered as a substitute for direct manufacturing experience: • Warehousing, textile, agriculture, or material inspection. • Honorable military experience in an electrical, mechanical and/or chemical industrial application. • Internal candidates must have: • High School Diploma or GED. • Achieved 60 credits of internal manufacturing-related training. • Endorsement from direct supervisor for a promotion. • A positive rating from direct supervisor related to Safety, Performance, Dependability and Collaboration. Required Skills/Competencies: • Safety First mindset. • Maintain a high standard of quality. • Basic troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. • Basic Math skills appropriate to understand typical manufacturing production metrics. • Must be able to work in a team environment. • Good written and oral communication skills. • Fundamental knowledge to work with different computer applications. • Interface with Machine Control Panels. • Ability to use mobile systems, communication devices, and simple tool interfaces. • Ability to use simple hand tools and measurement tools. • Perform light mechanical maintenance activities utilizing hand tools and measurement devices. • Work in a large area of manufacturing space, often without line-of-sight of direct supervision. Essential Responsibilities: • Adheres to all safety procedures and practice good housekeeping. • Safely operates and maintains tools and equipment to meet acceptable quality and productivity levels. • Completes training in the required timeframe. • Provides on-the-job training to team members when requested. • Performs assigned job duties in accordance with training and direction provided by team leads and supervisor. • Performs maintenance on equipment, in the required time, with hand tools and instrumentation. • Interfaces with equipment computers to monitor parameters and alarms. • Monitors process data & makes decisions based on procedures to maintain process control. • Recognizes conditions that require escalation and provides good communication on issues and recommendations. • Works with cross functional teams to run approved tests. • Provides good communication with team members and leadership during shift changes. • Collaborates with cross functional teams on problem solving. • Collects data and provides reporting (written, oral, or via computer/devices) when requested. • Ensures proper inventory levels of materials and in-process work is available for the next shift. • Ensures waste is discarded timely and appropriately. • Job description subject to change at any time. • Other duties as assigned. Reporting Relationships: • No direct reports. Travel: • 0% - 5% (On occasion/as needed for training, etc.) Estimated Salary Range: • $17.84-$25.00 Hourly US Physical Requirements: • Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to 12 hours per day. • Will climb stairs on a frequent basis. • Will lift up to 58 pounds on an occasional basis, according to work instruction. • Will lift up to 37 pounds on a frequent basis. • Will push or pull up to 27 pounds of force on an occasional basis. • Will push or pull up to 10 pounds of force on a frequent basis. • Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects repetitively on a frequent basis. • 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without correction) and the ability to distinguish between red, yellow, and green is required. • May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis. • May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis. • Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures. • Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including, but not limited to; steel toed shoes, cut resistant gloves, jackets, aprons &/or arm guards, safety glasses, hearing protection). Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required. Company DescriptionFirst Solar in Louisiana First Solar is expanding its American solar manufacturing footprint into the heart of Acadiana in Iberia Parish with a new advanced manufacturing facility, which is expected to be commissioned in the first half of 2026. The new facility will use First Solar’s proprietary process to transform sheets of glass into fully functioning solar panels - capable of generating clean electricity from sunlight - in approximately four-and-a-half hours.
See More Details >>Entering the solar trade in Lafayette, LA, often begins with an apprenticeship, blending hands-on experience with classroom learning, enabling individuals to earn while they learn. Apprenticeships typically span four to five years, demanding extensive training under seasoned professionals. The solar industry in Lafayette, LA, employs approximately 3,000 workers, with an average wage of $550 per week. Trade schools, industry associations, and platforms like NABCEP help aspiring solar professionals find apprenticeships, leading to a promising career with strong earning potential, often exceeding $108,000 annually for experienced solar technicians.
