Projects and Reference List GREEN Solar Academy
Past and current projects
As a training provider and expert for training concepts, curriculum development and teaching materials, we have worked on several projects in the renewable energy sector and are active as consultants in the field of solar training. Here is a collection of outstanding activities and projects we have realised over the years:
GREEN Solar Academy designed and equipped a 100% off-grid solar centre in Alicedale, Eastern Cape to test the concept of remote training in rural areas. The GREEN Solar Center in Alicedale functions as a community information and training hub, additionally providing energy services such as a charging station, internet café, and a shop for small solar appliances.
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The GREEN Solar Centre Alicedale is one of 9 Living Labs implemented in different African countries as part of the Smart Energy Solution for Africa (SESA) programme funded by the European Commission. Living Labs are real-life test beds for innovative energy solutions that allow SESA to experiment with ideas in different environments and gauge whether they have the potential to be rolled out in more locations.
With the assistance of GREEN’s technology partners Phocos, RenewSys and Axiz Solar, and the aid of the PV Installation company LCP Roofing, GREEN Solar Academy set up a solar training centre in a refurbished container. The solar training centre is completely self-powered, incorporating 16.32 kWp PV generator capacity, 15 kW inverter capacity, and 30kWh battery capacity.
We use this centre to do training on two fronts: first, we offer access to our GREEN eLearning programmes Principles of PV Systems and PV Off-Grid Technician, to give people in the community and surrounding region the knowledge and skills to participate in the Just Energy Transition; and second, we provide a real workplace experience for the team of interns who operate the centre on a daily basis.
The services offered by the interns at the solar training realise an income for the operation of the container, and include paid access to WiFi, device-charging, document copying and printing, the sale of small self-contained solar solutions, and the rental of uYilo Mobility’s electric vehicles. Click here to read the full story.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Youth, Professionals
Country: South Africa
Period: 2022
Project Partner: uYilo e-mobility programme
Project Title: SESA
Client / Contractor: Siemens Stiftung as part of Smart Energy Solutions for Africa (SESA)
DGS in partnership with GREEN Solar Academy facilitated a stakeholder workshop and development of a training course on pico solar systems and the respective training of trainers in Maputo, Mozambique.
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PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Professionals
Country: Mozambique
Period: 2019
Project Partner: LV Thüringen der DGS e.V.
Project Title: Consulting for training in the PV sector
Client / Contractor: GIZ Mozambique Energising Development (EnDev)
GREEN’s role in the PartnerAfrica Ghana project was to develop curricula and training content on Solar Powered Irrigation Systems (SPIS) for training and information sessions for different target groups in Ghana, and to deliver these events in Ghana. In order to evaluate the knowledge and training needs of the target group, GREEN conducted several interviews with representatives of the target group and a stakeholder dialogue.
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Together with experienced GREEN trainers from the GREEN Solar Academy Ghana and Ethiopia, we developed a comprehensive 4-day training programme focusing on types of pumping & irrigation systems, pumping concepts, water requirements for irrigation, system planning & design, O&M and the financial viability of SPIS in cocoa farming. We delivered the training twice, once to members of the Renewable Energy Working Group of the Association of Ghana Industries in Accra and once to engineering students at the Takoradi Technical University.
The aim of the PartnerAfrica project in Ghana was not only to train PV installers, but also to educate cocoa farmers and the food processing industry about the potential of solar irrigation, so we designed and delivered 17 end-user information sessions.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Professionals
Country: Ghana
Period: Nov 2022 to Oct 2023
Other Involved Parties: GREEN Solar Academy Ghana
Project Title: PartnerAfrica Project Ghana (PAPG) “Solar Ghana Cocoa” in the framework of the Special Initiative on Training and Job Creation between the German Solar Association (BSW-Solar) and the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI)
Client / Contractor: Bundesverband Solarwirtschaft e.V.
DGS in collaboration with GREEN Solar Academy converted training material for a short course for solar PV installers at vocational training level in Ethiopia into an eLearning course.
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GREEN developed the course concept and implementation roadmap. The training content created consists of 33 lectures with a narrating voice, 26 practical videos and 7 podcasts and each lecture includes interactive exercises. The course is divided into 7 chapters of which each ends with an exam. The course was created in English and Amharic language. The technical implementation was realised by Zabai Ltd. who created the eLearning platform. After the course creation, the Ethiopian college teachers were trained in the eLearning content and handling of the eLearning platform by GREEN and Zabai and a concept to integrate the eLearning into existing teaching structures was jointly developed.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Trainers and Teachers, Youth
Country: Ethiopia
Period: 2020 to 2021
Project Partners: LV Thüringen der DGS e.V., Zabai Ltd.
Project Title: Digital and Online Green Energy TVET
Client / Contractor: ADRA Deutschland e.V.
DGS in partnership with GREEN and the Solar Energy Foundation facilitated the development of a national solar PV curriculum and teaching and learning material for TVET colleges in Ethiopia.
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At 4 pilot colleges in Tigray and Oromia, training facilities were equipped with PV demo systems and training of trainers was implemented for the teachers of the 4 pilot colleges.
In cooperation with the task force of the Ethiopian Federal and regional TVET agencies, a solar training curriculum was finalised and the team facilitated the task force with the development of learner guides, teacher guides and assessment guides for a 3-year training programme. From the full qualification, a 3-months short course was extracted and the training material was prepared accordingly. Based on the short course, teachers from the 4 pilot colleges were trained in two batches in Adama and Mekele.
The training focused on solar PV basics, basic design and installation of PV off-grid systems and comprised of a theoretical training part with exercises and a practical part where the teachers facilitated the installation of the 4 demo PV systems at the colleges.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Trainers and Teachers
Country: Ethiopia
Period: 2019 to 2021
Project Partners: LV Thüringen der DGS e.V., Solar Energy Foundation Ethiopia
Project Title: GREEN Energy TVET in Oromia and Tigray, AF19-036
Client / Contractor: ADRA Deutschland e.V.
GREEN Solar Academy has partnered with Life Choices Academy to develop and implement a year-long solar and personal skills development programme paired with internships for technically-inclined youth, where participants who complete the program will earn the qualification of Solar PV Assistant Installer.
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We spent two years developing this programme based both on our own experience as well as input from industry stakeholders on skillsets required in the solar industry. Suitable candidates for the training are aged 20 to 30 with with N4 to N6 electrical engineering qualifications.
The first phase of the programme is an 8-week training syllabus based on existing DGS and SAIEE-accredited GREEN Solar Academy courses, as well as Life Choices personal development modules. The training includes blended learning based on the GREEN eLearning PV Off-Grid Technician and the GREEN Solar 101 basic theory training, GREEN PV Mounter practical training, industry engagement through site visits and guest talks and lectures, as well as modules from Life Choices’ life skills and professional development training.
The second phase of the programme is a 10-month quality workplace experience with a GREEN Alumni network company. During this period, both interns and host companies actively receive support and feedback from Life Choices.
The third and final phase involves a two week recap training and assessment at the Solar Youth Academy. Successful completion of the programme will result in the qualification of Solar PV Assistant Installer for the candidate. GREEN is currently seeking QCTO and German AHK certification for the qualification.
This programme will result in 138 candidates being trained over a 3-year period, and a ready supply of professionally-trained interns for SA’s PV sector. The pilot group of 23 has already completed phase 1 and has moved into internships for their on-the-job training.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Youth
Country: South Africa
Period: 2024 – Ongoing
Project Partner: Life Choices
Project Title: GREEN Solar Youth Academy – Pilot training of Solar PV Assistant Installer
Client / Contractor: Maria Marina Foundation
GREEN Solar Academy trained 20 qualified electricians on the 5-day SuperSolarSchool, our PV GreenCard training for SAPVIA (South African Photovoltaic Industry Association) and EWSETA (Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority).
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GREEN assisted SAPVIA with the registration of participants, provided a group training for 17 participants in Johannesburg and offered 3 participants to attend a scheduled training in Cape Town.
GREEN’s task was to prepare the participants for the SAPVIA PV Assessment with the SuperSolarSchool Training. The goal of the SAPVIA, EWSETA cooperation project was to increase the pool of upskilled electricians and PV GreenCard certified installers.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Professionals
Country: South Africa
Period: November 2023
Project Title: PV GREENCARD TRAINING
Client / Contractor: SAPVIA – South African PV Industry Association
GREEN Solar Academy developed a training and training progress monitoring package for SANEDI’s Energy Service Companies. The training was aimed at meeting the overall training objectives for SANEDI Energy Service Companies (ESCo’s), which include gaining/enhancing safe and quality Solar PV installation skills.
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GREEN conducted a 5-day PV GreenCard SuperSolarSchool training program at the GREEN Solar Academy Gauteng, which was divided into three batches and accommodated a total of 60 participants. GREEN collaborated with SANEDI to select the participants and provide guidance on the selection criteria and considerations for participant screening. To measure the program’s effectiveness, GREEN designed an online pre- and post-training knowledge assessments. GREEN also carefully recorded the progress of the participants and the project as a whole. This culminated in a comprehensive project report.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Professionals
Country: South Africa
Period: May to October 2023
Project Title: PV GreenCard training for SANEDI Energy Service Companies (ESCo’s)
Client / Contractor: SANEDI (South African National Energy Development Institute)
GREEN and Valentin Software GmbH facilitated the development of photovoltaic training programmes for Ghanaian and Togolese students and young graduates in partnership with the Takoradi Technical University, TTU, and the Kya Energy Institute, respectively and set up a fully equipped Solar Training Centre at the university.
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In Ghana, the project began with the design of the Solar Training Centre for the Takoradi Technical University, which was equipped with two PV system model roofs. The centre was officially inaugurated in early 2022. GREEN offered a training of trainers programme to 30 lecturers and facilitated the creation of a PV training programme for B-Tech graduates and engineering students. Furthermore, GREEN facilitated the implementation of the first training sessions to enable TTU to independently offer the course in the long run.
Parallel to the work in Ghana, an online training solution was developed for Togo. Together with the project partner KYA Energy Institute, the GREEN eLearning platform, green.zabai.org, was adapted for Togo and the entire French-speaking West African region. 2 eLearning programmes, the basic course Principles of PV Systems and the advanced course PV Off-grid Technician, were translated and adapted for the French-speaking West African market. GREEN also developed and delivered a training of trainers programme to use the eLearning courses as blended learning materials and trained 22 university lecturers from 10 African countries.
As a result, a total of 52 trainers/lecturers and 609 students were trained in 11 countries. GREEN also supported the involved University to set up an internship and job placement programme.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Trainers and Teachers, University Students
Country: Ghana, Togo
Period: Oct 2020 to Sep 2023
Project Partners: Valentin Software GmbH, University of Lomé, KYA-Energy Group, Takoradi Technical University
Project Title: developpp Ghana & Togo Implementation of PV training at universities in Ghana and Togo and job placement for the youth, SAP Nr. 4620
Client / Contractor: DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH
GREEN Solar Academy trained sales employees from Masana Petroleum Solutions on the Solar 101 course, which is an intro into the Solar PV industry. GREEN assisted with the registration of all the participants and provided a group training for 18 participants in our Johannesburg training centre.
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PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Professionals
Country: South Africa
Period: October 2023
Client / Contractor: Masana Petroleum Solutions
GREEN Solar Academy developed a 2-month youth solar training programme covering electrical & energy management, solar PV installation & mounting and working at heights for the Youth Employment Services (YES) incubation hub in Alexandra, Gauteng.
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GREEN created a specialised training syllabus for 80 youth from Alex. We offered a blended learning experience that included practical and theoretical training by tailored the content of 3 existing courses and adding one full week of working at heights training. The customised training included frequent evaluation by GREEN of the trainees’ progress through exams developed specifically for this purpose.
YES supplemented the technical upskilling with training that focused on entrepreneurship, work readiness and basic digital literacy.
GREEN also developed the initial questionnaires used to recruit trainees and conducted the interviews to select the participants. Those chosen were aged 19 to 25 with an N4 matric qualification and some workplace experience.
Following the 8-week training, GREEN used its Alumni Network to find host companies for the trainees. After two months with a company, YES pays the stipend of the youth and the company benefits from BBB-EE points.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Youth
Country: South Africa
Period: 2024
Project Title: YES Solar Incubation Hub
Client / Contractor: Youth Employment Services (YES)
GREEN trained 17 women, electricians of the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality on the 5-day SuperSolarSchool comprehensive theory and practical course.
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The participants were trained in 2 batches, 1 group of 7 and another group of 10 at the GREEN Solar Academy centre in Port Elizabeth. GREEN assisted with the registration of all 17 participants for the course and also provided course evaluation, project timesheets and training pictures to our project partner maxx of which they used on the project report.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Professionals
Country: South Africa
Period: 2023
Project Partner: maxx-solar energy PTY Ltd
Project Title: Business Scouts Network for development – Preparation, coordination and implementation of solar
PV training for women in South Africa
Client / Contractor: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
GREEN was tasked by the South African non-governmental organisation KP Cares to customize a training programme on the principles of PV systems and PV Mounting for unemployed youth in North West, Free State, and Northern Cape provinces. The overall objective of the training programme was to upskill 100 young people to prepare them for internships and subsequently jobs in the PV industry, preferably in their own region.
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GREEN tailored a special programme for the youth including the eLearning course Principles of PV Systems, the PV introductory course Solar 101 and the practical installation course PV Mounter.
For the 1-week basic training sessions, the GREEN trainers travelled to the respective provinces. The basic training started with the eLearning course, Principles of PV Systems, offered in a blended learning approach. This was followed by the 3-day Solar 101 introductory course. The practical PV Mounter installation training was offered for all participants at our academy in Johannesburg.
The participants were trained in three groups, one province at a time, over the course of a year, and once all training was complete, GREEN trainers accompanied the young people on visits to solar farms.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Youth
Country: South Africa
Period: Oct 2022 to Oct 2023
Project Partner: GREEN Solar Academy Gauteng, Nedbank Foundation
Project Title: Provision of solar hybrid systems training for the Renewables for Socio-Economic Development Programme
Client / Contractor: KP Cares
GREEN Solar Academy developed a tailored training and assessment package for 85 participants on behalf of the TERM Group, and supported the client in the participant selection process.
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GREEN tailored a training programme based on three existing courses to meet the timelines and desired outcomes for the client. We started with the Principles of PV Systems course and Solar 101 to entrench the theory – this training was done by GREEN trainers on-site at the client’s Rustenburg and Mooinooi facilities – then used the PV Mounter 100% practical course to train the participants in smaller groups at our academy in Pretoria.
Before training started, GREEN developed a selection matrix to help TERM select suitable technically-inclined candidates to benefit from the training, and also developed an exam to be attempted on completion of training.
PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Professionals
Country: South Africa
Period: 2024
Client / Contractor: TERM Group Pty Ltd
DGS in partnership with GREEN Solar Academy and Solar Energy Foundation Ethiopia trained lecturers at 4 different vocational training centres in Oromia, Ethiopia in PV system installation and use of a previously developed eLearning course to train solar PV basics and installation in a blended learning approach. The training consists of 2x 5 days of theoretical and installation training and 2x 5 days of refresher training.
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PROJECT DETAILS
Target Group: Trainers and Teachers
Country: Ethiopia
Period: 2022 to 2024
Project Partners: LV Thüringen der DGS e.V., Solar Energy Foundation Ethiopia
Project Title: TVET for resilience and adaptation to climate change (TRACC) in Oromia, Ethiopia
Client / Contractor: ADRA Norway
