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Kai Nakamura

Solar Installation Technician
San Diego, CA, United States

Professional Summary

Solar Installation Technician with 8+ years of field experience delivering safe, high-quality residential and light-commercial photovoltaic installations across San Diego County. Skilled in PV layout, roof and ground-mount racking, module wiring, inverter commissioning, battery-ready systems, and customer site work. Known for completing 30+ installs per month, reducing punch-list callbacks by 22%, and coaching crews on OSHA-compliant electrical safety.

Employment History

Lead Solar Installation Technician
Pacific Rim Solar Co. · San Diego, CA
Mar, 2022 · Present
• Led 4-person crews through 30+ residential PV installs monthly, maintaining 98% first-pass inspection rate. • Installed 1,800+ monocrystalline panels and roof/ground-mount racking systems while cutting average install time 18%. • Performed string wiring, inverter commissioning, rapid-shutdown tests, and battery-ready conduit layouts under NEC standards. • Conducted customer site walks and electrical-safety briefings, reducing punch-list callbacks 22% year over year.
Solar Installer
Coastal Sun Energy · Chula Vista, CA
Jun, 2019 · Feb, 2022
• Installed 1,200+ PV modules on tile, shingle, and flat-roof homes with zero lost-time incidents across 2.5 years. • Built aluminum rail, flashed roof penetrations, and verified torque values on 20–40 panel arrays per week. • Troubleshot DC/AC faults and completed 100+ service visits, improving same-day resolution to 91%. • Explained production monitoring, maintenance, and emergency shutdown procedures to 500+ homeowners.
Solar Field Technician
Mesa Verde Renewables · Escondido, CA
Jul, 2017 · May, 2019
• Supported 15-person installation team on 450+ residential and small-commercial projects totaling 6.8 MW. • Prepped roof surfaces, set racking layouts, and staged materials to improve daily crew throughput by 14%. • Used multimeters and insulation testers to identify wiring issues before inspection, helping achieve a 96% approval rate. • Maintained fall-protection, lockout/tagout, and PPE compliance while mentoring 6 entry-level installers.

Education

Associate of Applied Science, Renewable Energy Technology
San Diego Miramar College · San Diego, CA
2015 · 2017
Relevant study: photovoltaic system design, DC/AC fundamentals, blueprint reading, OSHA jobsite practices, and electrical code. Certifications: OSHA 30-Hour Construction; EPA Section 608 Type II; NABCEP PV Associate; CPR/First Aid; NFPA 70E Electrical Safety.

Skills

PV System Installation
Roof Racking & Mounting
Electrical Safety & NEC Compliance
Customer Site Work
Panel Wiring & Commissioning