Technicians train in solar technology

 GOVERNMENT technicians and engineers from 12 provinces are  attending a week-long training on solar photovoltaic (PV) installation at the University of Technology (Unitech).

The training, conducted by United States Agency for International Development, has partnered with Arizona State University under the Vocational Training and Education for Clean Energy programme to build qualified technical trainers and technicians to install, operate and troubleshoot off-grid solar PV in the Pacific.

The training, which began yesterday, saw representatives from Autonomous Region of Bougainville, East New Britain, West New Britain,  Manus, East Sepik, West Sepik, Madang, Morobe, Milne Bay, Central, Eastern Highlands and Chimbu.

Facilitated by VOCTEC Pacific  coordinator Gavin Poreira, the training was aimed at improving the sustainability of renewable energy infrastructure and investments in developing countries by increasing awareness, knowledge and capacity of local stakeholders, primarily in decentralised clean technologies.

Poreira said a training partnership had been set up with Unitech, with the capacity and resources to train others in solar technology.

Unitech’s director appropriate technology community development institute John Dujambi said this was the first training of its kind in PNG, despite only 12 taking part.