Group to unveil solar technology transfer skills

To ensure that Nigerians diversify to renewable energies and augment the current power generation in the country, Light up Nigeria Initiative will be training Nigerians on solar technologies.

Coordinator of Light up Nigeria Initiative, Allwell Udubako, made this known at the 2019 Edition Science and Technology Expo, held in Enugu State.

The event was organised by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

He said the project is aimed at improving investments in renewable energy efficiency, and rural electrification, and targeted at students, and any person who wants a career in solar course and training.

According to him, Light up Nigeria was first conceived in 2008 by Heartland MCS Ltd, with the implementation leading to further research two years after and later culminated in the perfection of some legal documents, getting endorsements, trademarks, patent rights and partnerships.

He added that the free training would be periodic and covers the six geo-political regions of the country, “Our products are durable off-grid solar products, panels are built locally; we are ready to train people to handle these products and our projects.

Some products showcased at the fair were solar inverters, LED lights, optimisers step up, chargers are assembled and locally made that are portable and durable”.

Udubako disclosed that the Light up Nigeria Initiative, community cooperative solar acquisition programme was designed two years ago to solve the climate change problems, ”we discovered that most of our higher institutions and rural communities have epileptic power supply.

We equally observed that businesses cannot do without light, the businesses in the communities and in schools academic studies are affected, like the barbing saloons, viewing centers rely on small generators to power their businesses, we then considered it necessary to change the narrative.”

He revealed solar acquisition project is to light up homes, shops, churches and communities with solar power, we observed that communities are using lanterns with smoke , fell trees for firewoods in the rural communities, which is stressful and unhealthy. He also observed that a lot of people want to solar energy to augment the electricity.

“but we have few installers who can install solar panels.

Most of the electricians were not trained to install solar inverters, some will charge exorbitantly and damage the solar panels and such actions have discouraged solar users.”