Mar.
2018
Press release / Pressemitteilung / Communiqué de presse / PM01-2018
Future-proof: Education is (Solar) Power
SOLAR23 manages the project initiative “Let’s make solar work” and trains solar professionals and young talents in Nigeria
SOLAR23 is known as a turnkey provider of off-grid‐connected photovoltaic systems and independent solar thermal systems, offering high-quality components and turning them into sustainable solutions by additionally training local staff. NSOLAR23 is the leading company of the project initiative “Let’s make solar work” and recently successfully completed the first trainings.
This Nigerian-German project “Let’s make solar work” was initiated by experienced solar companies teaming up under the leadership of SOLAR23 to organize know-how and technology transfer from Germany to Nigeria and is co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development under the DeveloPPP programme.
The co-operation project in Nigeria aims at disseminating knowledge on effective ‘plug & play’ power audit tools, their implementation and advanced power efficiency measures. Additionally, it introduces the use of solar PV diesel hybrid power supply solutions and intends to spread this among Nigerian energy professionals, so they can advise small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and social facilities on verified solutions for saving energy and securing a stable energy supply, beyond the power grid, harvesting solar energy sources. SOLAR23 is responsible for the overall coordination of the project.
In recent years, prices for solar systems dropped, so that the costs for solar energy productions are lower than for diesel generators and thereby represent a sustainable and also financial advantage. This also applies to Nigeria. Yet, this fact and the technology behind solar energy unfortunately is not widely known in the country with the largest population in West Africa. Therefore, all involved project partners thrive to enhance the knowledge transfer for a better future in Nigeria. First trainings have now been conducted.
The first expert seminars focused on power audits for companies and facilities, solar PV diesel hybrid systems and on diesel savings and were quickly overbooked. Nigerian solar professionals deepened their knowledge about how to correctly size and deliver mid-scale solar PV diesel hybrid systems that help reduce considerably soaring energy bills. The professionals trained by “Let’s make solar work” use modern analysis tools to improve their understanding of customers power consumption patterns. They are able to size PV diesel hybrid systems that match with their customers’ requirements and expectations. If well maintained, PV systems can work over 20, if not 30 years, generating solar power for free after pay-back period.