MIke Arasa

Mechatronics Engineer with in-depth experience of research and development in renewable energy technologies and climate change. I am passionate about solving problems by incorporating renewable technologies and pushing the sustainability agenda helping society.

have been a Project Manager for Starsight Premier Solar Group since September 2021. My responsibilities include tracking goals, ensuring quality of work, minimizing risk, coordinating installers and vendors, and providing technical assistance. I have managed the implementation of several solar grid-tie and off-grid systems, including 500kW at Buruk International, 900 kW at Rai MDF, and 326 kW off-grid system at Victory Farms. I was a Solar Project Manager & Grants Manager at Lean Energy Solutions from August 2020 to September 2021, where I was responsible for creating and controlling project’s budget, designing and sizing solar projects, coordinating installers, and determining funding needs. I managed the implementation of several solar grid-tie systems, such as 424kW at Uplands premium Diaries, 120 kW at Lauren International and 150 kW at Vision Plaza and 220 kW at Wakulima Dairy. I previously worked as a Research Assistant at Middle East Technical University, where I developed a model to determine the reliability of power inverters and converters, conducted lab experiments and published reports on renewable energy and climate sectors. As a Technical Sales Engineer at Lean Energy Solutions, I increased sales of Solar Systems, drafted technical proposals, installed Solar Water Heating systems, and did progress reports on 3, 60kW Hybrid Solar Off-grid systems. I also worked as a Lab Intern at Hoshchule Osnabruck, University of Applied Sciences in Germany, where I recorded data using temperature, humidity and moisture sensors.

In 2018, I began my studies at Middle East Technical University in Cyprus, where I earned my MSc in Sustainable Environment and Energy Systems in 2020, with a GPA of 3.71/4.0. My coursework included modules on sustainable water resources, energy systems and sustainability, disaster management and mitigation for sustainable future, energy policy, sustainable living and economic operation of power systems, and political economy and law in sustainability. I also received my BSc in Mechatronics Engineering from Dedan Kimathi University of Technology in Nyeri, Kenya, in 2016, with a 2nd Class Honors, 2.1. My modules in this degree included mechanical design, sensor technologies, automation and electrical design. I was included in the Dean's list in 2015 and was ranked 3rd in my mechatronics class during my 3rd year of study.