Glint Solar | Blog

Meet Martin - Data Engineer at Glint Solar

Written by Martin | Mar 18, 2024 9:42:22 AM

Updated 2023

Let Martin give you an introduction to Data Engineering at Glint Solar!

Martin is studying a Masters Degree in Computer Science Engineering, and he is currently in the final phase of his studies, undertaking a six-month internship at Glint Solar. Martin's educational journey took place at Telecom Nancy, affiliated with Université de Lorraine.

“I have been with Glint Solar for a few months now as an intern, and I am proud to say that I have found my place in the product team.”

 

Responsibilities as a Data Engineer

The product team is composed of people with different skills, and I am lucky to be part of this group alongside some talented software engineers and product designers. As a data engineer, my role is to find, process, and make data available to our customers.

I got quite a lot of responsibility very early, which I think is a good thing. It helped me to feel fully integrated into the team super fast. I appreciate that my colleagues trust me, and it was motivating to have the freedom from the start to experiment and take initiatives.

Being part of the product team's meetings allows me to have a say in what we work on next, and I can freely express my opinions and contribute to the decision-making process on what tasks we take on and how I can help make them a reality.

 

Data Layers in the Glint Solar Software

Just on my first day at Glint Solar, I was able to add a layer to the maps with the help of Pal, one of the other data engineers. It helped me gain confidence and progress quickly.

Áreas Importantes para la Conservación de las Aves y la Biodiversidad (IBA) en España. Comprises significant habitats for priority bird species.

In my first month, I was able to add more than 15 layers in five different countries, including flood zones, landslides, and avalanche areas in Norway. These layers are crucial for solar developers, as they can filter out risky areas, ensuring that they don't build solar panels on land that will be flooded or smashed by an avalanche.

Due diligence areas for landslides and floods, flood zone maps, and avalanche care areas in Norway.

Within just a few weeks, I was able to add all the necessary and interesting data layers to make a country and one of our data packs sellable.

One of my most challenging tasks so far was to make parcels in Poland available. The data was highly non-centralized and I had to query around 400 different servers to collect all parcels. Sadly a part of those servers were down, but I still managed to achieve a good coverage. I can now proudly say that we offer the best coverage regarding vectorized poland parcels that you can find online.

Parcels and roads in Poland.

It's a fulfilling feeling to know that my work has contributed to the success of Glint Solar. Moreover, receiving positive feedback from both the sales team and customers regarding the countries I helped to improve is a great source of motivation to add even more layers.

 

Finding Home Away From Home

The experience of moving to Oslo and working in a new environment has been thrilling. Although my move from France was stressful, the support of my colleagues at Glint Solar provided helpful advice that reassured me. Despite the initial challenges, I never gave up and found a shared apartment five days before arriving in Oslo. Although leaving my home country on my own for the first time and being in a new place alone felt strange, I was excited to take on this new adventure.

 

"There is something truly special about cooking, making music, and enjoying good wine together that helps build strong friendships. And I also really enjoy these non-work elements of Glint Solar."

 

Glint Solar company trip to Sweden in March 2023.

I was warmly welcomed by everyone at my new workplace, and my integration process was smooth and swift. Within a few days, I felt like I was already part of the team. The highlight of my experience so far was the company trip to Sweden, where we engaged in various team-building activities in small groups. This trip allowed me to connect with my colleagues on a deeper level and strengthen our relationships.

 


When I'm not working, I keep myself occupied with a variety of hobbies. I'm a passionate rugby and chess player, even playing in the office and competing against Harald, our CEO.

Additionally, I love creating video games and doing a bit of drawing. I also enjoy spending time skiing, hiking, and exploring natural wonders such as lakes, mountains, and seas.

 

Join our team at Glint Solar!

As someone who has recently joined the Glint Solar team, I can confidently say that it's an incredible place to work. The company is filled with passionate, innovative, and driven individuals who are all dedicated to creating a more sustainable future by accelerating the adoption of solar energy.

Glint Solar provides fantastic opportunities for career growth and development, and the team members are incredibly supportive and helpful. If you're looking for a place to work that values inclusivity and innovation, then Glint Solar might be the perfect fit for you!