With the kickoff of our internship application cycle, we’re reflecting on something we see year after year: internships at Sol aren’t observational. They’re foundational.
Many of our former interns are now building portfolios, shaping Sol strategy, and driving impact across the company. Meet four Solsters whose internships shaped their careers and learn why they chose to stay.
Kristen Cugini
Enterprise Intern → Portfolio Manager, Commercial Asset Management
MBA, University of Virginia Darden School of Business
Kristen began her Sol journey on the Enterprise team, focused on connecting with customers. Today, she works on the Commercial Asset Management team as a Portfolio Manager, supporting operational projects across our fleet.
“I felt that I was given a lot of ownership and responsibility in my internship role, and that’s helped me to be more confident as a full-time employee,” she shares.
Her path has taken her from the front end of the business to the operational core—an evolution that’s given her a unique perspective on how Sol’s work comes together.
“My internship and full-time roles are on opposite ends of the company. It’s been really interesting to see how the work on the Enterprise side flows through and impacts day-to-day operations.”
Her advice to future interns is simple: lean in.
“You will learn a ton in a short period of time. Come ready to ask questions and connect with people across teams. You can make a real impact here. Find what interests you and ask to explore it further.”
Juliana Isaac
Development Engineer Intern → Director, Sustainability & Ecosystem Impact
Bioresource Engineering, McGill University
In just three months as an intern, Juliana saw something that made her want to return: a company full of people deeply committed to their work.
“It was clear to me that Sol is full of mission-driven, passionate people who really care about what they’re doing.”
Now serving as Director of Sustainability & Ecosystem Impact, Juliana continues to innovate in an industry that never stands still.
“I’ve been lucky in all of my roles at Sol to be able to innovate. It’s special to work at a company where creativity is encouraged and supported from the top down.”
For Juliana, the future of solar is defined by that same spirit.
“The industry is always evolving. Innovation is a key part of its future, and it makes it easy to come to work every day excited about what we’re building.”
Her advice to prospective interns: “Soak it all in. Ask questions, read as much as you can, and stay curious. You have access to some of the brightest and most passionate minds in the industry, so make the most of it!”
Brendan Conley
Business Development Intern, Origination (SCS) → Senior Associate, Asset Management
BA in International Affairs & MS in International Business, George Washington University
Brendan’s internship began in Origination, where he worked on distributed generation proposals and pipeline development. Today, as a Senior Associate on the Asset Management team, he manages operational projects, including some that trace back to his intern days.
“One of my favorite projects as an intern was the Urbana Champaign Sanitary District proposal, because we won it,” he says. “In origination, most projects don’t pan out. It was rewarding to see something tangible come from the work.” Brendan remembers the pride of contributing to the initial layout and financial model.
His role has evolved alongside the company’s growth. “As an intern, I worked on originating our distributed generation pipeline. When I joined Asset Management full-time, my first portfolios included those now-operational projects. Now, I work exclusively on our utility-scale projects in line with Sol’s goal to be a clean energy IPP.”
Beyond the work, Brendan points to culture as a defining part of his experience, from project wins to volleyball games and tubing trips.
“As an intern, I found the team to be extremely passionate, knowledgeable, and mission-driven. It was commonplace to grab a coffee with someone to learn about what they were working on.”
Adil Javat, CFA
Asset Management Intern → Director, Structured Finance
BA in Economics, Johns Hopkins University
Adil joined Sol as an intern on the Asset Management team. Today, he helps lead transaction execution and capital raising efforts on the Structured Finance team.
Early in his internship, one thing stood out: the level of trust.
“Even as an intern, I was given the opportunity to take on meaningful responsibility, including supporting some investor-facing work,” he says. “That confidence early on made a strong impression and encouraged me to make the most of the opportunity.”
After returning to Sol full-time, Adil expanded his experience across the business before transitioning into Structured Finance.
“In my current role, I’m actively involved in structuring and closing transactions that help power the growth of clean energy infrastructure, combining financial insight with growing technical expertise to turn investment strategies into real-world impact.”
For Adil, the industry’s constant evolution is what makes the work especially exciting.
“The solar industry is shaped by the interplay between policy, capital markets, and growing power demand. Delivering resilient, bankable assets amid regulatory change and market uncertainty is both complex and rewarding.”
Our former interns are now helping us finance, build, and manage the infrastructure that powers communities across the country. And they started by asking questions, building models, joining cross-team conversations, and raising their hands.
Interested in starting your own Sol story? Internship applications are now open.