Department of Energy runs solar training for local operators under BRANTV Project

A group of 19 trainees from Toga, Loh and Hiu in Torres islands as well as Emae island in the Shepherds group and Pele island near Efate have completed a one-week training for local solar operators that started on September 7, 2021.

The training is the result of a partnership between the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Pacific Centre of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE).

 It is part of the addressing the lack of technical persons in Vanuatu with the skills to design, install, operate, and troubleshoot rural, off-grid renewable energy systems.

This training was conducted at the compound of the Ministry of Climate Change, Meteorology & Geo-Hazards, Energy, Environment and National Disaster Management at Number 2 area in Port Vila.

The programme is part of the wider target of training 300 ‘local operators’ throughout various islands of the Barrier Removal for Achieving the National Energy Road Map Targets of Vanuatu (BRANTV) Project demonstration sites that will make their living and serve their community to install, operate, maintain and repair Off-Grid RE PV solar systems.

James Kaltonga from Emae said he has learned a lot from the training.

“My solar system had disconnected a few times and then power came back the next day.

“I was worried that my solar system was damaged.

“But now during the training, I know that when the system is overloaded, the controller will disconnect itself to save the system,” Kaltonga said.

All 19 participants have acquired the technical skills and knowledge to serve their communities and make a living in installing, operating and repairing PV solar systems.

A total of 102 people have been trained so far in Certificate II on Solar Operations and Maintenance, of which 16 percent are women.

The training was jointly funded by the Government of Vanuatu, GEF/UNDP through the BRANTV project and PCREEE/SPC.