Swiss Partners
ZENNA AG, Murg,
www.zenna.ch,
Lukas Küffer
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Documentation
Final report
Video of the project
Zenna will provide both courses, upon request.
Swiss Contribution
ZENNA is a company specialized in photovoltaics with over 10 years of experience. The Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Swissolar and Solafrica have experience in training photovoltaic experts. Locally, the project is supported by the cdw Stiftungsverbund (DE), the Centre for Employment (Cayo CET), Solar Energy Solutions Belize (SESB) and also by the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology and Public Utilities Belize (MESTPU).
Description
ZENNA and several Swiss and local partners, have successfully implemented a mini-grid for 45 households within the framework of the REPIC project, “Proof of Concept: Smart Solar Off-Grid for La Gracia (REPIC contract 2015.09)”.
Belize has a lack of trained personnel in the field of photovoltaics. The REPIC project “Solar Education Belize” includes the development, pilot-stage planning and implementation of two locally adapted training courses (Solar Technician Course) and the maintenance and operation (Solar Caretaker Course) of photovoltaic systems. The aim is to integrate the courses into the training programmes offered by Belize and regularly include these educational possibilities in the future.
Results
The training documentation and both courses were successfully completed. Both courses were already part of the electrician training at the Cayo CET Vocational School in 2017/2018. The mini-grid which was implemented as part of the REPIC project “Proof of Concept: Smart Solar Off-Grid for la Gracia, Contract 2015.09” was included in the practical training.
Impacts
The CET Vocational School has definitely included both course in its official curriculum as of autumn 2019. The two REPIC projects “Zenna”, as well as the project video https://vimeo.com/zenna/repichad positive influence on an agreement with EU, on July 22, 2019, for 14 MEUR. The amount is to be used in line with the “Sustainable Energy Roadmap of Belize” for mini-grid solar systems in rural regions, energy efficiency projects, as well as the promotion of learning and know-how, such as the nationwide implementation of both courses.