Presenters

About Neal

Neal is an experienced banking representative, with an established track record of servicing the financial sector since 2013. He started his career as an Absa Graduate with a definite focus on credit analysis and intentionally paved his journey into deal solutions, client relationships, and structured finance roles, particularly within the Business Banking segment over the last 10 years. Investing in strong relationships through acute business acumen and building vested trust with his key stakeholders has allowed him to grow his brand within the industry, and further expand his intentions to be innovative in the sector.

His passion lies in solutioning businesses that are disruptors in the market. Finding bespoke solutions coupled with cash flow lending allows him to display his love for corporate finance.

Renewable energy is held very close to his heart, with his focus now being facilitating funding solutions within the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) leg of this new and exciting sector. His expertise now adds value to the strategic team within the New Sector Development sphere of Absa Relationship Banking.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Commerce Honours, Finance
• Bachelor's Degree Finance, General

About Neels

Meet Neels, an experienced trainer at GREEN Solar Academy in Johannesburg. With expertise in maintenance management and superintendent roles, Neels' career highlights include serving as a Maintenance Manager at Saint Gobain and a Maintenance Superintendent at AfriSam SA Rooikraal AGG.

He excels in implementing maintenance practices, conducting inspections, and ensuring legal compliance. Neels has extensive training in areas like legal liability, SAP, coaching, and open-cast mining, making him a highly qualified trainer for solar courses.

He brings a strong maintenance background and diverse training skills to contribute to the growth of future solar experts in Johannesburg.

Qualifications

About Pedro

Pedro is one of our trainers at the Academy in Angola. He is the co-founder of Gomes Rocha Engenharia, Lda (GRE), GREEN Solar Academy’s local partner in Angola. Within GRE, he focuses on PV project design, engineering, consulting, and training in the solar industry.

But Pedro is not only a good engineer but as well a charismatic trainer. He can break down complex topics and presents even the driest topics in an engaging and interesting way!

Qualifications

About Peter

Peter is one of the trainers who specialises in practical installations for PV Systems at the Johannesburg Academy. He is an experienced technical services specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the maintenance and education management. As an electrician he has wired up a number of PV systems and can teach solar novices the nitty-gritty of an installation.

Peter is very engaging and passionate about ensuring that every participant’s needs are met during the training and he never forgets to add a good portion of humour.

Qualifications

• Electrical Artisan
• N3 Electrician
• Certificate Facilitate Learning
• Operations management
• Outcome-based assessment
• SAPVIA PV GreenCard

About Regardo

Regardo is one of our facilitators at the Cape Town Academy. He has over 10 years of experience installing grid-tied and battery-based energy storage systems as well as fault finding, doing field repairs and maintenance of grid- tied and battery-based hybrid energy storage systems as well as microgrids.

In the SuperSolarSchool and Mounter courses he passes on his vast practical experience and is always open for questions.

About Robert

Meet Robert, an experienced trainer at GREEN Solar Academy in Johannesburg. With extensive expertise in the electrical industry, including renewable energy, Robert is a valuable asset in training aspiring PV installers.

His career journey began as an Electrical Assistant in 1991, progressing to become a Master Electrician and specializing in electrical design and engineering. Robert's broad experience covers industrial, commercial, and specialized installations, along with power efficiency, standby generators, PV projects, and hazardous area expertise.

As a Certified Energy Manager and registered assessor, he brings valuable dimensions to his training, shaping future solar experts at GREEN Solar Academy.

Qualifications

About Rudolph

Meet Rudolph, an experienced trainer at GREEN Solar Academy in Johannesburg. With nearly 30 years of diverse experience in business transformation, operations management, and lean manufacturing, Rudolph is a knowledgeable asset.

He holds a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Pretoria and an MBA. His roles, including Founder of CCSO Consulting, showcase his leadership in turning around a loss-making factory. Rudolph's expertise spans environmental approvals, business transfers, and large projects.

As General Manager at Sasol, he implemented systems, contributed to the bottom line, and created improvement strategies. As Group Strategic Sourcing Manager, he exceeded savings targets and negotiated multi-million-rand contracts.

Rudolph's practical insights and extensive background enrich the training of aspiring solar experts at GREEN Solar Academy.

Qualifications

• Bechelor of Engineering: Mechanical
• Master of Business Administration (MBA)

About Samson

Meet Samson Tsegaye Lemma, a dedicated trainer at GREEN Solar Academy in Ethiopia. With extensive work experience in the solar industry, Samson joined the academy in 2020 after completing their training of trainers course.

As the Country Director at Stiftung Solarenergie-Solar Energy Foundation, he established solar technicians' training centers and pioneered Ethiopia's first in-house revolving fund for solar home lighting systems.

Samson's diverse experience also includes managerial roles in engineering and heavy equipment operations. With his wealth of knowledge in renewable energy, Samson plays a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of solar experts at GREEN Solar Academy.

Qualifications

About Steve

Steve is our master trainer at the Academy in Zimbabwe. He has an incredible 3 decades of experience in the electrical industry: specifying, designing, manufacturing, and installation. He runs his own companies in Harare and Johannesburg. One of them, JVS projects, is in the field of solar photovoltaic and is a technical and channel partner with Siemens, Schneider, Legrand, and an approved installer for CHINT, Renewsys, and Steca.

Steve is an excellent trainer. Even though he is a true master in his field, he can adapt to any target group, be it advanced or complete beginners. And because he has over 30 years of experience, he never runs out of practical examples.

Vivian has been working in the PV business since 2011. In 2015, she became the training coordinator of maxx-solar and in 2020, she formed the GREEN Solar Academy together with fellow director Antje Klauss-Vorreiter. Vivian manages the creation of course content and oversees the company’s marketing and GREEnetwork activities.

2020 - Chief Products Officer of GREEN Solar Academy (Pty) Ltd

2017 - Vice President German Solar Energy Society DGS e.V.

2015 - Training coordinator of the maxx-solar energy (Pty) Ltd.

2013 - Assistant Training Coordinator of maxx-solar energy (Pty) Ltd.

2011 - Assistant Project Manager: Education DGS Thuringia

Qualifications

2018 M.Sc. Management Renewable Energies

2015 B.A. Management Renewable Energies

Interests