Solar Training for Local Operators

A partnership between the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE) continues to address the lack of technical persons in Vanuatu with the skills to design, install, operate, and troubleshoot rural, off-grid RE systems.

Following a previous training in Kole on East coast of Santo early this year, a similar training was conducted in Port Vila from September 7 — 11, 2021. A total of 19 trainees from Loh, Hiu and Toga in Torres groups, Pele Island offshore of Efate and Emae island attended the weeklong training.

The programme targeted the training of 300 so called ‘Local Operators’ throughout various islands of the BRANTV Project demonstration sites who will make their living and serve their community to install, operate, maintain and repair Off-Grid RE PV solar systems.

So far, 102 people have been trained in Certificate II on Solar Operations and Maintenance of which 16 percent are women. The PCREEE has similar objective to promote capacity building an integral and cross-cutting component of delivering its four strategic priority areas.

One of the participants Mr. Thomas Putunleta, an Area Administrator from the Torres islands, saw the importance of the training and sought permission from his Superior, the Director of Local Authority to attend the training. He said it is the first time to have a large group from Torres islands attend a technical training. A total of seven participants came from Loh, Hiu and Toga.

At the end of the training, Mr Anthony Garae, the Director of Energy awarded Certificates to participants who had successfully completed the training on theory and practical focused on unit standard: EEPA0811 on Solve basic problems in photovoltaic energy apparatus and systems.

All 19 participants are returning home with a big smile on their faces, knowing that they have acquired the technical skills and knowledge to serve their communities and make a living in installing, operating and repairing PV solar systems.

The training is jointly funded by the Government of Vanuatu, GEF/UNDP through the Barrier Removal for Achieving the National Energy Road Map Targets of Vanuatu (BRANTV) project and PCREEE/SPC.

Source: www.dailypost.vu/news/solar-training-for-local-operators/article_e831f60...">https://www.dailypost.vu/news/solar-training-for-local-operators/article...">Vanuatu Daily Post