Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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James LaFon

Tehachapi,CA

Summary

Experienced Senior Field Project Engineer with 9+ years of experience in the Renewable Industry. Natural leader that always puts team first, and understands a team is only as strong as it's weakest link. Heavy experience in utility renewables. Substation trained; Switching/Testing etc. Diverse knowledge of Central inverters/PCS/BESS equipment. Excellent reputation for resolving problems, advanced troubleshooting, improving customer satisfaction, and driving overall operational improvements. Consistently getting things online to ensure maximum profits and decreased downtime. Ambitious and eager to grow even further as an employee, a leader, and as a man. Diverse knowledge and networking skills. Enthusiastic leader eager to contribute to team success through hard work and attention to detail. Clear understanding of pace and expectations in renewable operations and maintenance and commissioning. Motivated to learn, grow and excel further in my career as a leader.

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Field Project Engineer II

FlexGen
01.2024 - Current
  • Promotion within FlexGen; previous roles responsibilities transferred
  • Streamlined project timelines by effectively coordinating with cross-functional teams and implementing efficient scheduling practices.
  • Managed subcontractor engagements effectively to ensure quality workmanship while adhering to budget constraints and deadlines.
  • Developed strong relationships with clients through clear communication channels to address concerns promptly and maintain trust throughout project lifecycle.
  • Championed safety across all projects by conducting regular site inspections and enforcing strict adherence to established protocols.

Field Service Engineer

FlexGen
08.2022 - Current
  • Commissioning and Lifecycle management of utility owned (SCE) BESS power plants. (roughly 600 MW project)
  • Software fixes and updates applied through research and development of software versions.
  • Work closely with integration team to ensure proper integration and commissioning of BESS projects.
  • Hot commissioning of BESS equipment/verification of communication and network
  • Network set up and integration with utility.
  • Performed onsite installation, modification and maintenance of systems and equipment.
  • Tested equipment performance and demonstrated operation and servicing of equipment to customer.
  • Facilitated communication between office personnel, subcontractors and customers.
  • CATL Level 1-3 ESS factory trained.
  • OSHA 30 hour construction and health
  • Linux Bootcamp 16 hour course

Senior Field Service Representative

Energy Aid
01.2022 - 04.2022
  • Team trainer and lead for upstart company
  • Team lead and independent service representative for more complex work orders within company.
  • Perform solar inspections and services that require advanced troubleshooting and knowledge. (Ground faults, wiring damage, field issues, etc)
  • Operated and maintained solar equipment for several different sites around California
  • Replace several models of string inverters, monitoring equipment, tigos, PLCS, etc for several different customers/partners
  • Complete field service reports that go to owner/customer with detailed information of work completed/next steps/ step by step troubleshooting explanation and mitigating actions taken to ensure proper functionality of solar system.

Field Service Specialist

SunUp Solar Tech Services
08.2021 - 01.2022
  • Team leader and senior level specialist within company
  • Serviced and maintained solar equipment for 600MW Utility Solar Farm Topaz. (ABB ULTRA 1500 central inverters/ SMA 750 Sunny Central inverters)
  • Troubleshooting of solar system faults; varying in difficulty from combiner boxes/inverters/field/substation etc
  • Commissioning and team leadership on new site commissioning projects from commercial projects to Utility scale projects.
  • Team lead for subcontractors on commissioning projects and servicing projects up to 10 people on project at a time.
  • Positively engaged with customers and maintained professional appearance as company representative.
  • Checked electrical installation for proper wiring, polarity, grounding and integrity of terminations.
  • Collaborated with new customers on basic thermal system repairs and overall operation of new systems to promote longevity and optimal service.

O&M Solar Technician

NovaSource Power Services
09.2020 - 07.2021
  • Troubleshooting equipment from ABB 1500 Central inverters to SMA 750 Sunny Central Inverters
  • Called in CARE tickets/ retrieved RMA spreadsheets needed to send out faulty equipment for ABB equipment to be refurbished
  • Created, tracked, and closed open work orders through application called Maximo.
  • AVO Substation training courses taken; Substation Maintenance I, II, and III ( Substation grounding/ testing/meggering/ Transformer testing/Utility safety/ equipment, etc)
  • Switching evolutions completed, several different switching orders; depending on work needed and isolation points needed to perform work in Substation
  • Determination and retermination of GSU Transformer after testing conducted
  • Obtained Control Authority and consistently trained with companies top Control Room Operators
  • Performed daily/weekly substation inspections
  • SCADA migration from Wonderware software to Neuron Software
  • Operations and Maintenance to 600 MW UPPA site; Solar Star (Self performance; site not under warranty)
  • Called in CARE tickets/ retrieved RMA spreadsheets needed to send out faulty equipment for ABB equipment to be refurbished
  • Consistently improved site operations with high pace/ high difficulty troubleshooting techniques
  • Built team oriented culture with other technicians/managers
  • Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
  • Proved successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
  • Carried out day-day-day duties accurately and efficiently.

O&M Solar Technician

Bay 4 Energy
11.2019 - 09.2020
  • Operate and maintain several sites across California
  • Diverse experience from utility scale projects to commercial.
  • Tesla battery/inverter maintenance
  • Troubleshoot CM dispatches
  • Preventative maintenance on all solar equipment from panels to combiner boxes, to inverters.
  • One stop solar shop, gained tons of diverse solar knowledge
  • Increased overall lifespan of equipment by following preventative maintenance plans and executing unscheduled repairs.
  • Maintained up-to-date administrative records to monitor operational conditions.
  • Effectively worked with multi-craft team; providing wiring installation, preventive maintenance and testing of equipment.
  • Tested electrical systems functionality and continuity of circuits using devices such as ohmmeters, voltmeters and oscilloscopes.
  • Assessed electrical systems, equipment and components to identify hazards, defects and needed adjustments or repairs.
  • Managed business administration duties, including report generation, recordkeeping and supply ordering.
  • Measured devices, including analyzers, amp meters and volt-ohm meters.
  • Inspected electrical systems, equipment and components to identify hazards, defects and repair requirements.
  • Conducted visual inspections and physical tests on previously installed modules and systems to identify faults.
  • Followed standards and procedures to maintain safe work environment.
  • Tracked income, labor and expenses via excel spreadsheets, and generated weekly reports.
  • Increased overall lifespan of equipment by following preventative maintenance plans and executing unscheduled repairs.
  • Responded immediately to mechanical breakdowns and developed timely repair plan to minimize downtime.
  • Documented machine irregularities and completed repairs.
  • Inspected structures, machinery, and equipment to determine failure and causes for concern.
  • Developed exceptional attendance record with special attention to punctuality and preparation to work upon arrival.
  • Resolved conflicts and negotiated agreements between parties in order to reach win-win solutions to disagreements and clarify misunderstandings.

Field Service Technician Level 2

Schneider Electric Industrial Repair Services
07.2019 - 11.2019
  • Maintained and operated Schneider Electric SmartGen inverters to ensure 100% production
  • Troubleshooting of inverters to ensure most effective solution to bringing inverter online
  • Commissioning units online
  • Completed partial or full dismantling of equipment to quickly repair or replace defective components and restore functionality
  • Kept track of automatic and self-generated service tickets with NetSuite
  • Interpreted SmartGen equipment diagrams and blueprints to fully understand mechanical and electrical systems in need of service
  • Investigated and troubleshot several product service issues weekly
  • Provided telephone support to customers by determining cause of issue and explaining most effective solution
  • Diagnosed equipment malfunctions by analyzing technical data using CV
  • Performed annual service visits and completed preventative maintenance on all systems
  • Demonstrated to customers proper methods for operating equipment after it had been installed
  • Reviewed technical documentation to perform accurate repairs on diverse equipment
  • Operated all hand tools and power equipment according to company safety procedures
  • Daily and weekly reports filled out to further track recurring issues and created long term fixes rather than short

Field Service Technician

World Wind And Solar/ Pearce Renewables
06.2016 - 07.2019
  • Operations and maintenance of ABB, (1100, 1500, psv980, etc) (GE 1 and 4 megawatt) and SMA (Kodiak; minor) inverters
  • Ex
  • Fuse swaps, cooling hose swaps, phase module replacement, arc flash remediation, coolant replacement, Common board replacement, break board replacement, ac capacitors, cooling pump, refills of cooling glycol, etc
  • Troubleshooting and programming inverters to ensure 100% online
  • Collaborated with crew in several tasks needed to ensure proper operations and maintenance of inverter
  • Quality control of solar field to look for breaks, chips, exposed wires, etc
  • Senior Technician within company
  • Traveling Technician
  • Received Promotion
  • Provided technical support to troubleshoot, repair and maintain operational efficiencies in electrical systems
  • Diagnosed equipment malfunctions by analyzing technical data using CV applications
  • Completed partial or full dismantling of equipment to quickly repair or replace defective components and restore functionality
  • Properly completed work reports for each field visit
  • Interacted with all necessary partners including vendors, upper management and peers
  • Positively engaged with customers and maintained professional appearance at all times as company representative
  • Trained and supported new hires resulting in better understanding of process flow and safety procedures

Education

High School Diploma -

Tehachapi High School
Tehachapi, CA
04.2014

Skills

  • Excellent leadership skills; team oriented individual, ego-less and dedicated to career growth
  • Forklift operation, use of power tools, general tools, electrical theory, light machinery work, list above for skills
  • Learn fast and adapt to change well, observant and hard working Flexible
  • Troubleshooting techniques
  • Mastery of customer service
  • Hardware and software installation
  • Technical analysis
  • Workflow management
  • Safety standards and protocols
  • Installation and maintenance
  • Technical support
  • Programming
  • Operating Systems
  • Project leadership
  • Equipment testing and operation
  • Excellent problem-solving skills

Timeline

Field Project Engineer II

FlexGen
01.2024 - Current

Field Service Engineer

FlexGen
08.2022 - Current

Senior Field Service Representative

Energy Aid
01.2022 - 04.2022

Field Service Specialist

SunUp Solar Tech Services
08.2021 - 01.2022

O&M Solar Technician

NovaSource Power Services
09.2020 - 07.2021

O&M Solar Technician

Bay 4 Energy
11.2019 - 09.2020

Field Service Technician Level 2

Schneider Electric Industrial Repair Services
07.2019 - 11.2019

Field Service Technician

World Wind And Solar/ Pearce Renewables
06.2016 - 07.2019

High School Diploma -

Tehachapi High School

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James LaFon