Intern Spotlight: Jack Sloan and Adelaide Phillips

Jack Sloan and Adelaide Phillips recently wrapped up a four-month internship at AC Power, where they explored the world of brownfield solar development. Both are New York University students — Jack is a sophomore (Class of ’27) studying Environmental Studies, while Adelaide is a senior (Class of ’25) majoring in Policy, Business, and Ethics.

In the Q&A below, they reflect on their experiences at AC Power, from the unique workplace culture to the skills they gained and the values that shaped their work.

How did you come across AC Power?

Jack: I received an email through a class I was enrolled in at NYU — which was all about energy — saying that there was an internship opportunity at a solar developer based out of NYC, and reached out right away to interview. I was immediately drawn to the mission of the company, which is to repurpose disturbed land into solar fields, as I’m interested in renewable energy and wanted to contribute to the renewable transition as well as learn about the inner workings of the renewable energy industry. During my interview, I found the team to be incredibly genuine, as well as intentional about setting AC Power apart from the competition.

How would you describe the workplace culture at AC Power?

Adelaide: The workplace culture at AC Power is truly exceptional. The team is not only smart and driven, but also energetic, friendly, and generous with their time. From day one, it’s easy to ask questions and get support — everyone is happy to help. A great example of this culture is how we were onboarded as interns: different team members took time out of their day to walk us through their specific areas of expertise. It creates a welcoming, collaborative environment where even as an intern, I felt fully included and connected.

What’s a day in the life like as an AC Power intern?

Adelaide: No two days at AC Power were the same, and that’s what made the internship so rewarding. Many of our projects spanned several days, so we often rotated between tasks throughout the day. Some days were spent diving deep into state-level solar policy and crafting memos to help guide strategy. Other times, we screened potential development sites, researched land use histories, or identified promising partnership opportunities. Beyond the task work, the team made a real effort to help us understand the broader workings of the company. We walked through everything from organizational structure and workflows to the software tools and financial modeling that bring AC Power projects to life. Things never got monotonous because tasks were always changing.

What is your favorite AC Power tradition you’ve noticed?

Adelaide: This is not exactly a tradition, but one of my favorite things about AC Power is all the quirky things in the office. From tiny frog statues wearing party hats to eclectic candy brought by different members of the team, the office itself embodies the personalities of all the people. This trend continues through all the desks at AC Power; they’re all totally full of character. There are tons of plants everywhere as well. It's super homey.

Jack: The team at AC Power has cultivated a workplace that is full of character and tradition and is genuinely fun and motivating to work at. One of my favorite traditions in the office is the ringing of the bell. When site control is gained for a project, meaning that AC Power gains exclusive access to go forward with solar development over a piece of land, a member of the team will ring a metal bell in celebration. There are a few other celebratory occasions for which the bell can be sounded, and each is as spectacular as the rest. Also the office is home to many plants, which are lovely.

What skills have you left AC Power with the capacity to do?

Adelaide: I’m leaving AC Power with a myriad of new skills. One of Jack and I’s favorite tasks is using software to screen and understand sites. When I first began at AC Power, I felt like it would be impossible to discern whether a site was a brownfield or not from an aerial view. It felt totally impossible. Now, I can not only identify but also analyze the site's topography, buildability, and connectivity. From activities like one-on-one lessons on the intricacies of solar design to combing through state level solar policy, I have learned so much about solar

Jack: In addition to site screening, I’m very grateful that I’ve gotten some good experience working with solar policy memos and policy webinars. Environmental policy is something I’ve always wanted to work with and am studying in college, and learning how to work through those documents — even though it was admittedly very difficult at first — and assess their impact on the renewables market has been invaluable. The team at AC Power was incredibly helpful in teaching us about how to decipher new terminology and use new tools, and was super accommodating to us while we learned new skills that had a steep learning curve, which I’m very grateful for.

How do you feel that your values align with AC Power’s company mission?

Jack: AC Power keeps its mission in the foreground, and it made working there very fulfilling. Not only is the main goal of the company to build renewable energy, but AC Power also has a lot of time of day for social equity issues as well, which is a key part of any sustainable development. A lot of my work consisted of finding non-profit organizations to partner with for community building initiatives. I also spent a lot of time vetting sites for environmental concerns such as conservation land, species on site, or wetlands in the area. I have a lot of angst and anxiety about environmental issues and climate change, and I found it incredibly rewarding to have a productive outlet for those emotions and feel like I was making a difference. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to intern with AC Power!