Thomas Mebane
Gibsonville
Summary
Senior Utility-Scale Solar Field Service Technician and business owner with 13+ years of experience supporting, commissioning, troubleshooting, and maintaining utility-scale solar facilities throughout North America. Extensive expertise with SMA Sunny Central inverter platforms, electrical diagnostics, communications troubleshooting, plant startup, and corrective maintenance. Proven ability to independently resolve complex technical issues, support asset owners and operations teams, and deliver exceptional customer service while maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism. Recognized for technical expertise, strong customer relationships, and a practical, solutions-focused approach to renewable energy operations.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Owner/Field Service Technician III
HSC North America L.L.C.
Gibsonville, NC | Nationwide Field Service Support
12.2018 - Current
- Founded and manage a renewable energy field service company specializing in utility-scale solar commissioning, troubleshooting, corrective maintenance, and technical support.
- Perform advanced diagnostics, troubleshooting, repair, and commissioning of SMA Sunny Central inverter systems and associated balance-of-system equipment at utility-scale solar facilities throughout North America.
- Support asset owners, EPCs, OEMs, and operations teams by resolving complex electrical, communications, and inverter-related issues to maximize plant availability and performance.
- Conduct commissioning, startup, functional testing, and acceptance testing activities for utility-scale solar projects in accordance with manufacturer specifications and site requirements.
- Troubleshoot inverter communications, network infrastructure, fiber optic systems, and plant integration issues to identify root causes and coordinate corrective actions.
- Perform corrective maintenance on central inverter platforms, low-voltage and medium-voltage systems, communication equipment, and plant monitoring interfaces.
- Operate medium-voltage switchgear within SMA Medium Voltage Power Station (MVPS) platforms in accordance with established safety procedures and operational requirements.
- Support troubleshooting of transformer auxiliary monitoring systems including temperature monitoring, oil level indication, pressure monitoring devices, and associated control interfaces.
- Review electrical drawings, wiring diagrams, technical manuals, and commissioning documentation to support field diagnostics and equipment repairs.
- Develop and maintain strong customer relationships through technical expertise, responsive communication, and consistent delivery of high-quality field service support.
- Train and mentor technicians on inverter troubleshooting methodologies, electrical safety practices, commissioning procedures, and equipment diagnostics.
- Maintain an exceptional safety record while performing field service activities in energized and mission-critical utility-scale solar environments.
Senior Field Service Engineer
SMA Solar Technologies America LLC
Tehachapi, CA
01.2012 - 11.2018
- Provided technical support, commissioning, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance services for utility-scale solar facilities throughout North America.
- Specialized in SMA utility-scale inverter platforms including SC125U, SC250U, SC500U, SC630HE, Sunny Central CP XT, Sunny Central CP US, Kodiak 1 (K1), Kodiak 2 (K2), and Medium Voltage Power Station (MVPS) systems.
- Performed startup, commissioning, acceptance testing, and operational verification of newly constructed utility-scale solar facilities.
- Diagnosed and resolved complex inverter, electrical, and communications issues to maximize system availability and production performance.
- Supported troubleshooting of inverter-to-SCADA communications, plant networking infrastructure, fiber optic communication systems, and monitoring interfaces.
- Performed corrective maintenance and repair activities on central inverter systems, low-voltage and medium-voltage equipment, and integrated MVPS platforms.
- Operated medium-voltage switchgear and supported commissioning activities associated with integrated inverter, transformer, and switchgear systems.
- Troubleshot and supported transformer auxiliary monitoring systems including temperature monitoring, oil level indication, pressure monitoring devices, and associated control circuits.
- Interpreted electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, commissioning procedures, and technical documentation to support field diagnostics and equipment repairs.
- Delivered customer training and technical support to plant operators, owners, EPC personnel, and service organizations.
- Collaborated with engineering, technical support, and project teams to resolve complex field issues and support successful project commissioning.
- Maintained an outstanding safety record while working in energized utility-scale solar environments throughout the United States.
Electronics Technician First Class
United States Navy, USN
San Diego, CA
03.1999 - 01.2012
- Maintained, diagnosed, repaired, and calibrated complex electronic, communications, radar, and navigation systems in support of mission-critical military operations.
- Served aboard USS Tarawa (LHA-1) supporting radar and air traffic control systems, including maintenance and troubleshooting of electronic equipment interfacing with shipboard air surveillance and control systems.
- Performed precision calibration, testing, and certification of electronic test equipment while assigned to the calibration laboratory at Naval Air Station North Island.
- Completed Micro-Miniature Electronics Repair training and performed advanced electronic circuit board repair, component-level troubleshooting, and precision soldering operations in support of deployed naval forces.
- Supported Naval Special Warfare operations by maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing radar, communications, and electronic systems installed aboard 11-meter RHIB platforms.
- Utilized technical manuals, schematics, wiring diagrams, and diagnostic equipment to perform root cause analysis and corrective maintenance on complex electronic systems.
- Maintained strict compliance with military safety standards, quality assurance procedures, and operational readiness requirements.
- Trained and mentored junior personnel on troubleshooting techniques, electronic repair procedures, and equipment maintenance practices.
Education
High School Diploma -
Southern Alamance High School
Graham, NCNo Degree -
Electronics Technician Core Curriculum
Great Lakes, ILNo Degree -
Electronics Technician A School
Great Lakes, ILNo Degree -
AN/TPX-42(V)13 Shipboard DAIR Maintenance Pipeline
Pensacola, FLNo Degree -
GPETE Repair & Calibration School (Honor Graduate)
Biloxi, MSNo Degree -
Micro-Miniature Electronics Repair (2M)
Norfolk, VANo Degree -
SMA Sunny Central Inverter/MVPS Training
Rocklin, CANo Degree -
DynaPower DPS-500 Training
Rocklin, CASkills
- SMA Sunny Central Inverter Systems
- Utility-Scale Solar Commissioning
- Inverter Troubleshooting & Diagnostics
- Corrective Maintenance & Repair
- Plant Startup & Acceptance Testing
- Medium Voltage Power Station (MVPS) Operation
- Medium Voltage Switchgear Operation
- Inverter-to-SCADA Communications Troubleshooting
- Fiber Optic & Network Communications Diagnostics
- Electrical Schematics & Technical Documentation
- Root Cause Analysis
- Technician Training & Mentoring
Timeline
Owner/Field Service Technician III
HSC North America L.L.C.
12.2018 - Current
Senior Field Service Engineer
SMA Solar Technologies America LLC
01.2012 - 11.2018
Electronics Technician First Class
United States Navy, USN
03.1999 - 01.2012
High School Diploma -
Southern Alamance High School
No Degree -
Electronics Technician Core Curriculum
No Degree -
Electronics Technician A School
No Degree -
AN/TPX-42(V)13 Shipboard DAIR Maintenance Pipeline
No Degree -
GPETE Repair & Calibration School (Honor Graduate)
No Degree -
Micro-Miniature Electronics Repair (2M)
No Degree -
SMA Sunny Central Inverter/MVPS Training
No Degree -
DynaPower DPS-500 Training