At Ecorus, our people are the heart of everything we do. In this series, we shine a spotlight on our Ecorians: the pioneers, thinkers, and doers working every day to create a more sustainable world. Their stories offer a behind-the-scenes look at how we tackle challenges, drive innovation, and create impact. It’s a testament to how We Know How comes to life, bringing us closer to a future powered entirely by clean, renewable energy.
Meet Alfonso Rosas (27): with two Master’s degrees in Industrial Engineering and a strong desire for change, Alfonso moved to Berlin and joined Ecorus two years ago as part of our German team. Working in a hybrid setup from his home office, he has already designed four solar systems for the rooftops of logistics centres and Aldi stores.
“I have my life in Berlin, my hobbies, my friends, my daily routine, and an interesting, flexible job. I work from home and visit the Ecorus HQ in Düsseldorf regularly. I’m really happy with how my life is going and that I finally found a workplace where I can be myself and use my strengths.”
You’re originally from Spain. What’s it like for a Spanish guy working in Germany?
At the beginning, it was quite challenging, to be honest. The mindset and way of communicating are very different compared to Spain. In Spain, we tend to be more direct, more informal, and everything feels a bit more flexible and personal. In Germany, everything is much more structured. Every step needs to be double-checked, approved, or even certified. That was a big adjustment for me. Things take more time here because of the layers of regulations and the conservative approach, especially when it comes to technical details. You just have to accept it and adapt.
Understanding these regulatory differences and cultural expectations was definitely one of the biggest hurdles. And we’re still learning every week. Just recently, we found out we needed to install an additional safety device between the inverter and the transformer. Something we didn’t account for in the sales phase because we weren’t aware it was required. These surprises add cost and complexity, and sometimes the project planning just doesn’t reflect the reality until you’re deep into it.
What made you decide to join Ecorus?
Before starting my job search, I had three criteria: I wanted a flexible working environment, a role that matched my study background, and an interesting industry. Ecorus ticked all the boxes. I actually had a few other good job offers, but during the recruitment process, I could already feel that the culture here was super supportive and flexible. That made the decision easy.
And for those who haven’t worked with you yet, tell us a little about your role.
Sure! I’m a Project Engineer and planner at Ecorus, working on large-scale ground-mounted solar projects. I get to work on what I love most: technical design and planning. I’m responsible for creating system designs and doing all the calculations needed for our solar installations. I present that information in a visual, easy-to-understand way for my colleagues.
Together with the project manager, we finalize the technical side of the project. Once that’s done, the site managers can take over and start the on-site development. It all flows pretty organically within our team.
What are you most proud of?
When I started, I had no experience with large solar projects. But after just one year, we were already handling major rooftop and ground projects. We faced a lot of challenges, but we made it happen! I’m proud of my personal development, but even more so of what we’ve achieved as a team. Over the past two years, we’ve learned so much and made real progress in standardizing our project processes. That’s something we can all be proud of.
You work from Berlin, but the office is in Düsseldorf. How do you manage that?
Once a month or every two months I visit the team in Düsseldorf. But even in between, it works well. Everyone’s approachable and friendly, whether they’re in Germany, Belgium, or the Netherlands. I can always reach out to colleagues on Slack or Teams. Even though many of us work remotely or from different countries, I always feel comfortable asking questions and collaborating.
What’s something you really love about working at Ecorus?
I love the flexibility in my role. I have control over my own schedule and can always talk to my project manager if I need an extra day or more time on a task. We might take flexibility for granted, but I truly appreciate being able to work in a way that suits me.
For example, I usually start my day with a walk and grab a coffee, sometimes with a friend. When I get back home, I do a short workout and then focus on my goals for the day. I try to block 2–3 hours of deep focus time each day for my core work, and the rest is for meetings and teamwork. And they were right during the recruitment process: the team really feels like a team. Philip has done a great job on that front.
Last question, do you have a personal motto you live by?
Absolutely. It’s not a direct quote, but Martin Luther King once said that a person reveals what they’re really capable of in difficult moments. That stuck with me. When I’m feeling stressed, I try to pause, take a breath, and say, “OK, what’s the real problem? How do I solve it? Let’s go.”
I also have one more personal piece of advice: it’s okay to feel however you feel. Don’t force yourself to be happy if you’re sad. Just let yourself experience what you’re feeling. Just take the day or moment as it comes.
Would you like to contribute to a sustainable future, with innovation and collaboration at its core? Explore our job openings in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany and let’s build a cleaner, brighter future together.
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