My Journey with Sunstall : From Berlin to California and Beyond

In 2020, during my studies in mechanical engineering with a focus on renewable energy at the Berliner Hochschule für Technik, I participated in a project that would unknowingly shape the next few years of my life. The project, part of the “Project Management and Business Planning” module, centered around exploring use cases and business models for vertical ground-mounted solar systems in the United States.

Our group, under the guidance of Prof. Mielke, collaborated with Helge Biernath, the CEO of Sunstall Inc., to dive into the potential of agrivoltaics—combining solar panels with agriculture. Specifically, we worked on deploying vertical solar installations in agricultural settings to maximize land use. This collaboration opened the door to a lasting connection with Helge and, eventually, to an incredible opportunity.

An Internship in California

After graduating with my bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in the summer of 2022, I packed my bags and headed to the San Francisco Bay Area to start a one-year internship with Sunstall Inc. My first day was unforgettable. Fabian, the other intern who started at the same time as I did, and I were handed the keys to our rental cars—something I didn’t expect on my first day!

The following morning, we jumped right into action. We were sent to solar installation sites in California’s Central Valley to gain hands-on experience. The first few weeks were a whirlwind of learning and adapting to life on the project sites. After Fabian headed to the East Coast for another project, I returned to Sunstall’s headquarters in Novato, CA, where I began working directly with Helge on a groundbreaking initiative: building a business unit for Sunzaun, Sunstall’s vertical solar racking system.

Building a Business from Scratch

Working on Sunzaun was both exhilarating and challenging. Helge provided the vision and strategy, while I was tasked with execution—a role that pushed me far beyond my comfort zone. Coming from an engineering background, I suddenly found myself tackling tasks like product certification, website creation, marketing, and sales.

The steep learning curve was intense but rewarding. One of the highlights of this period was managing and working on-site for California’s first vertical solar installation, located in a vineyard in El Dorado County. Seeing the project come to life was incredibly fulfilling. I also had the chance to represent Sunzaun at trade shows, showcasing our product and connecting with industry leaders.

Beyond the professional challenges, I experienced tremendous personal growth. Living in a new country, navigating a different culture, and operating in a language that wasn’t my native tongue all pushed me to grow in ways I hadn’t anticipated.

A New Chapter: Product Manager for Sunzaun

When my internship ended, I was eager to keep contributing to Sunzaun. A new role as Product Manager allowed me to build on the foundation we’d created during my internship. Over the next year, I dove deeper into expanding Sunzaun’s reach. We collaborated on research projects with Rutgers University in New Jersey and Colorado State University, finalized the UL certification, and established supply chains and sales channels. One of the highlights of this period was traveling back to the U.S. in the summer of 2024 to participate in the World Agrivoltaics Conference in Denver and exhibit at the Solar Farm Summit in Chicago.

Looking Ahead

My time at Sunstall was transformative in so many ways. I gained invaluable professional experience, from engineering and project management to business development and sales. At the same time, I grew as a person, learning to adapt to new environments and tackle challenges head-on. Ultimately, I realized that my passion lies in advancing the energy transition in Germany and Europe. I also wanted to reconnect with Berlin and contribute locally. This realization led me to pursue an MBA with a specialization in the energy industry at the Technical University of Berlin and to step away from my role at Sunstall.

Closing Thoughts

Looking back, my journey with Sunstall and my time in San Francisco was an incredible chapter in my life. It was challenging, rewarding, and filled with opportunities for growth. I’m proud of what I accomplished and grateful for the experiences that shaped me. As I move forward in my career, I carry the skills and lessons I learned during my time at Sunstall with me, ready to tackle the next challenge.

Tim Basulto