Psychology and PV systems

Bügler is always ready to lend a helping hand where she can. “If someone comes to me with a problem, then I know that the person needs help,” she says. “And I love using my expertise to solve these problems.” Many of the jobs that land on her desk are tricky, such as complex application forms for photovoltaic subsidies. 

Paperwork and photovoltaic boom

The Luxembourg government has set up a subsidy program that allows homeowners to obtain rebates for a large percentage of the costs of their photovoltaic system, provided the paperwork is right, of course. “The process is complicated – everything needs to be just so,” Bügler explains. “All it takes is a single tiny mistake and the paperwork comes straight back, and you are at square one again.” 

Fortunately, Bügler knows all about the different invoices, datasheets, specific model numbers, output figures and system performance data and can provide customers with expert assistance. Much of the data is confidential, and with bad actors and fraudsters seemingly everywhere online, maintaining personal contact to customers is all the more important: “When customers get confirmation that I have applied for their building permit, they know that everything is going to be correct and that I have done my job.”

The process from obtaining building permit and confirming the order to actually mounting the photovoltaic system is a long one with plenty of bureaucracy to navigate. “There are many contracts that need signing, some of which can be 30 to 36 pages in length,” she says. “Not only are they long, they are often quite difficult to understand.” Despite the barriers, solar power continues to boom: Bügler processes roughly three finished projects per week, with a further 100 awaiting assembly. “Our schedule is booked out months in advance when it comes to PV systems,” says the 44-year-old, who previously worked as a scheduler at a wholesaler.

Bügler, who has two children and would have loved to have studied psychology, likes how much contact she has with customers and colleagues. This is often where she can utilise her passion for the psychological side of things. Her job is to help, support and be a point of contact for others. “I am everyone’s first port of call really,” she says with a smile. “Like if a colleague has to go to a building site but doesn’t have the address, or when the boss rings and asks me if I can get a lifting platform ordered for him. These are all important tasks and I have to see what I can do.” The way in which Bügler speaks to and treats people is often what makes the difference. “I always treat people the way I wish to be treated. Ask nicely and you’ll get a nice answer. That’s the only way to do things in my book. I love my work here, I am passionate about it.”

Versatile, spontaneous, multi-lingual

Aside from taking care of customers, technicians and workers, Bügler is also responsible for maintaining databases, keeping files, organising quotes, submitting orders, providing technical documentation and processing specifications as part of public tenders. Meetings are also important, especially when they are about coordinating the work of her colleagues. 

For Bügler, a typical day at work doesn’t really exist. “A lot of what I do is spontaneous, and I always look to see what jobs I can do for my boss,” adds Bügler, who comes from a mixed Luxembourg-German household. “The atmosphere and working environment here are excellent. I really like that.”