Tell us something about yourself in short words
My name is Anna and I have worked in different technical jobs, including solar construction engineer. I am always eager to learn new things, and I also like to share my gained knowledge with others. It makes me happy to see how ideas and dreams become reality and improve people’s lives 🙂
The SolSol project is ready to start now. What do you expect the project will achieve in the next few years?
With the Engineering School, the first courses for solar installers and planning engineers will take place, teaching young people how to design and maintain a stand-alone solar power plant with battery storage, providing reliable power to hospitals, schools and communities.
A network of solar engineers will be established to fix any occurring issues and to keep blackouts few and short.
What made you join the SolSol project team?
Well… there is more than one answer to that question.
Answer #1:
Already my grandfather worked for ELCPNG in the 1960s. Hearing many captivating stories about life and nature in PNG for years, I have always wanted to visit the country in which my father spent his childhood. When he asked me to accompany him on his trip in early 2024, it was a very easy choice to say ‘Yes’!
Answer #2:
I love sharing my knowledge with people who are willing to learn.
Whenever people voluntarily choose to acquire a skill, they will come up with new creative solutions to given problems.
Schools are the key to establishing a local network of young professionals.
If you need help in a project you will often think of ‘that colleague or teacher back in school’ that may have an answer to your problem.
Why not combine both aspects?
Establish a school for Solar Experts, so they can build a local professional network which will strengthen and grow over time.
Answer #3:
When preparing his trip, my father asked me to join him to visit potential site locations for the first SolSol power plants. Combining personal curiosity with professional contribution, my task should be to assess the suitability of different sites, to estimate dimensions, cost, power production capacity and so on.
I have been working as a solar engineer at that time, and surveying construction sites, taking measurements for planning, and adapting to last-minute changes in delivery was my daily job. Doing all of the above in remote villages of PNG, while escaping the European winter sounded like a very welcome change.
What do you see as your contribution to the project?
My job was meant to be just a ‘guest appearance’ every once in a while. Meanwhile, I have come to see the large potential of solar technology in PNG and how it may transform the lives of rural communities for the better.
My professional contribution shall be to provide the Engineering School with the first set of project blueprints which can then be adapted to suit many other sites.
My goal is not only to teach people how to build solar sites, but to show them how to teach others. Spread the knowledge!
What is the most surprising thing you learnt during your time at the SolSol project?
People in PNG are incredibly friendly and will help you in any way they can. One thing you should not expect is ‘keeping up with (European) time schedules’ – though, I have been warned. 😉
In your daily life, what are the three most important to keep on power with solar?
- Light
- Cellphone + internet
- electric teakettle
Which three words do you associate with the SolSol project?
learning, sunshine, power
Thank you for your insights!