Looking to the future
I have done some more reflecting on how this trip has impacted me personally and professionally.
What part of experience had biggest impression on you?
Working with Jordan and Professor Riley on laying out the dimensioning of the pipes had a big impression on me. We were working at the first day in Vegas electric and we laid out all of our materials. The project felt intimidating. Sitting down at a table and drawing out all dimensions with Dr. Riley’s help felt really good. I felt just like a project engineer who was installing a solar panel on a building in the United States. To have this hands on experience working with peers, professors, and professionals is invaluable to me.
How did your perception of Roatan change after your trip?
I initially perceived Roatan to be similar to the Dominican Republic, which I have visited. I was partially correct because the similar in that they are both islands that rely heavily on tourism. I think my perception changed after we went to the Friends of the Island meeting and seeing the number of nonnative community groups living there to help the island.
What do you see as the challenges of renewable energies both within the context of Roatan and within your home community?
I think that renewable energy is a powerful tool that should be used more often. It is hard for people to pay the upfront costs because it is truly an investment to buy a solar array. I think that if engineers could cut down on cost of building a solar array, then more buildings would have them installed. In Roatan, I think the biggest challenge is solar policy. The battles between local governments, electrical companies, and project groups like the Renew Crew make implementation of solar projects to be slow. At home, I think that ideas that solar panels cost and lack of sunlight deter people from investing. When we learned about Germany and their solar energy policies in class it was really eye opening how solar could be used as a useful tool.
What aspects of the following do you think would be important to document for others who may work on this project in the future?
I think it is important to document the layout of all the materials and method in which the team begins to organize the racking system. It is important to have this documented so that other groups can see what types of responsibilities go into the design and building of the array.
How has this experience shifted your thoughts on both being a citizen in your home community and in your occupational aspirations?
I am a member of Engineers Without Borders and Project Manager for the Domestic Project for Engineers Without Borders. This experience has inspired me to work with other members of the Renew Crew to build a solar array for a Penn State building on campus. I think we will be able to impact the community by encouraging solar usage and making a building more efficient. In the long term, I could see myself as a project engineer working for a construction company and partnering with electrical contractors.
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