GUPES Green Gown Awards 2016 – Africa – Strathmore University - Highly Commended

Development and implementation of a solar PV outreach training module for capacity building in East Africa

Highly Commended

Strathmore Energy Research Centre (SERC) received funds to develop and implement a Solar PV training and outreach programme which will comprise training, testing and certification services throughout many areas in the country.

The goal of the project is to train at least 100 trainers and through them 1000 technicians to certification level T2 within 36 months. A suitable number of mobile labs fitted with hands-on training equipment and training materials will be acquired as part of the project.

The program had a special additional activity of empowering women technicians through training on design, installation, maintenance, operation and maintenance of solar systems. This was done in collaboration with Arizona State University under the VOCTEC program.

Top 3 learnings

1. We faced high clearance charges from customs during the importation of the VOCTEC toolkits and therefore opted for locally available materials.
2. We have built capacity for 25 vocation institutions to offer solar PV courses.
3. We have created a network of institutions for liaison and project opportunities, through this, we are able to share and learn more about similar projects.

What it means to win

“Strathmore Energy Research Centre is a competence centre on renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability. Winning the GUPES Award will bring recognition to our institution  and thus make is easier to spread the concept of sustainability in the minds of the young in Kenya and the Eastern African region.”

Prof Izael Pereira Da Silva, Director, Strathmore University Energy Research Centre

Videos

• Development and implementation of a solar PV outreach training module for capacity building in East Africa (click to hide)