Here comes the Sun

Growing up in Germany with a German mother and an American father, I often wondered what life would have been like if my parents had decided to move to the U.S. Instead, we visited the U.S. every couple of years for a few weeks to spend time with family. As I got older, I realized that having dual citizenship and a deep understanding of American culture opened up many opportunities for me. 

When I was 16, my parents suggested that I participate in an exchange program in New York City for a month. My older sister had done it before me and came back to Germany dreaming of moving to NYC one day. However, at that age, I didn’t feel ready for such a big step, so I didn’t go. I do regret that decision now, but I believe this is my chance to make up for the missed experience—though this time, it’s in the San Francisco Bay Area, which I think is even better!

I connected with Sunstall through a class at my university, where Helge Biernath introduced his company. Since I’m studying mechanical engineering with a focus on renewable energy, I felt this could be the perfect fit for me. For the first three months, I will be doing my internship here, and I’m excited to learn about the company, meet new people, and understand the values that drive Sunstall. I will gain hands-on experience in the renewable energy industry, including working alongside construction workers in central California, where temperatures can reach more than a 100°F.

CA-115-24 Project, McFarland, Ca.

After the internship, my goal is to contribute to Sunstall’s growth in the Agrivoltaics field. I aim to develop a chatbot for the APV/Sunzaun section to help potential customers overcome their doubts and questions about Agrivoltaics. Working closely with Sunstall on this project, I will also be writing my bachelor’s thesis. In the process, I hope to improve various skills, such as management and intercultural communication, while experiencing daily work life in the U.S.

I am thrilled to be taking this step and look forward to reflecting on this journey as a time of personal and professional growth.