This summer, we were delighted to welcome Connie, a sixth-year student at a local secondary school, for work experience at AES Solar. Connie’s placement was designed to provide her with a well-rounded understanding of both renewable energy and the day-to-day operations of working for a company like AES Solar.
Over her four-week work experience at AES, Connie gained insight into every stage of delivering a solar energy project, mentored by our brilliant Graduate Design Engineer Kiera, from initial enquiries and system design to manufacturing, logistics, and on-site installation. It was important to Kiera to provide a positive experience of what it’s like to be a working woman in STEM, building confidence and practical skills that Connie can take forward into any career path.
But don’t just take it from us! We asked Connie to keep a workplace diary and offered her the opportunity to transform her entries into a blog post you can read below.
Connie’s Workplace Summary
Over four weeks during my summer holidays, I had the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at AES Solar, attending two days per week. I wasn’t limited to a single role during my time at the company, allowing me to gain exposure to many aspects of the company’s operations, from technical design to sales and even on-site installations.
Week One – The Fundamentals of Solar Energy
In the first week of my work experience at AES, I was introduced to the fundamentals of solar PV and thermal systems, as well as the individual components of the systems and their roles. I observed how the team communicates with clients via email and calls about technical problems and needs, and observed the process of ordering parts for specific systems.
I also began my own research, delving into the science behind solar PV and thermal systems. I looked into the environmental benefits of utilising solar PV systems compared to non-renewable energy alternatives, feeding back any questions I had to my team at AES Solar, which helped me better understand the importance and complexity of the work carried out here.
Later that week, I explored schematic diagrams and the digital data generated from solar PV systems from providers such as Tesla, SolarEdge, and Solis. I learned how components interact within a system to manage energy flow and looked at SolarEdge online training modules to understand how solar panel arrays are designed. Using this knowledge, I had the opportunity to design a digital array for my own house using CAD software. I was also able to sit in on a technical meeting, which gave me exposure to engineering discussions in a professional context.
Week Two – Applications and Site Visits
During the second week of my work experience at AES, I started learning about the grid application process, primarily G99s (a formal process for connecting larger renewable energy generation systems to the UK’s Electricity Distribution Network (DNO)). I also learned more about what it means for a system to be MCS certified and the benefits of this certification to homeowners.
A personal highlight was having the opportunity to visit a site survey pre-installation and then follow up with a visit to a job nearing completion, where I saw the finishing touches of a solar PV installation, including the commissioning process. These visits allowed me to observe how the team interacted with customers and helped me connect theoretical knowledge, previously learned in the office, to real-world experiences and installations. I was able to ask questions about the equipment used, installation methods and the logic behind design choices – all of which allowed me to deepen my understanding.
Week Three – Behind the Scenes
By week three, I spent a day in the warehouse and observed the solar thermal manufacturing process. I assisted in documenting orders and deliveries using the company’s project management tool and helped organise delivered items and prepare others for dispatch. Later that week, I visited another local site to observe another survey being carried out. This involved assessing the property for suitability and discussing potential system layouts, which allowed me to ask questions about how site-specific factors influence the final system design.
These experiences showed me the importance of behind-the-scenes work – from manufacturing and picking the correct equipment for jobs to assessing each property and planning the system layout. I was also given the opportunity to work independently on assigned projects, allowing me to build familiarity with the structure and expectations of working in a professional office setting.
Week Four – Final Reflections
My time at AES Solar provided me the opportunity to see how renewable energy projects move from ideas to working systems. I was able to take part in both technical and practical tasks, visit real sites and see how the team works together to solve problems and make each project a success. Everyone that I got the opportunity to meet at AES Solar was knowledgeable, friendly and willing to explain things, creating a very supportive environment to learn. I found this opportunity genuinely interesting and rewarding.
This experience also helped me to think further about what I enjoy in a workplace and what I might look for in a future career, making it a valuable step in deciding my next path. I am so grateful to have had the chance to spend my summer learning so much in such an engaging environment.
A Bright Future Ahead
Connie approached every task with curiosity and enthusiasm, from hands-on technical work to professional discussions and independent research. We’re proud of how much she learned in just a few weeks and hope her work experience at AES Solar has helped shape her ambitions for the future.
It was a pleasure having her on the team, and we wish her every success in the next steps of her journey. The renewable energy industry needs curious, motivated people, and we’re certain Connie has what it takes to shine!
