In an effort to promote renewable energy in Liberia, it took a step forward when nineteen females and two males graduated from a six-week course on renewable energy and Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installation at Hilltop Schools Inc.
This was the first technical training at Hilltop Schools, delivered by Gaps Solution Center in an effort to empower its students with livelihood skills while promoting renewable energy and helping to mitigate the effects of climate change.
The Photovoltaic (PV) Installation training was a part of a bigger project funded by the Honnold Foundation, an American charity organization, that partners with marginalized communities to expand equitable solar energy access. The training covered topics on the sources of energy, the different types of renewable energy, solar energy, PV sizing, design, installation, and operation.
The $60,000 grant from the Honnold foundation included: the installation of a 15KVa rooftop solar array system to electrify The More Than Me Academy operated by Hilltop Schools, creating awareness among students and parents on renewable energy, and the training on solar PV installation for a select number of students.
At the graduation ceremony held for students who successfully completed the six-week course on Solar PV installation, Hilltop’s Director of Safeguarding and Acting Executive Director, Mrs. Sylvestine Gbessagee expressed her pride in the students:
“I am incredibly proud of these girls for believing in themselves and taking up the challenge to venture into a field that most often only men find themselves in. I am also glad that the skills gained to employ themselves and improve their lives and that of their community.”
The graduating class dux, Eve Harmon, congratulated her colleagues, and encouraged other students from her alma mater, the More Than Me Academy to believe in themselves.
“Bravo to us! We are solar technicians. We have broken the norm and belief that only men can succeed in technical fields. To our junior sisters here, I want to say that if we can do it, you too can do it!”
Gerald Hodges, Hilltop Schools’ Director of Growth and Lead on this project concluded by sharing the overall impact of the project, saying:
“The installation of the solar system at the More Than Me Academy has enabled Hilltop to cut down on our carbon footprints, the noise from our old diesel generator, and save thousands of dollars on generator fuel and maintenance. Additionally, the students graduating today from this program have unlocked doors to opportunities that will better their lives, the lives of their families and communities.”
In the long run, the solar project will contribute toward several of the United Nations Sustainable Development goals including: SDG 1: No Poverty; SDG 5: Gender Equality; SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy; SDG 8: Good Jobs and Economic Growth; SDG 10: Reduced Inequality; SDG 12: Responsible Consumption; and SDG 13: Climate Action.
The graduation ceremony was attended by partners from GIZ Endev Liberia, as well as the U.S and Swedish Embassies in Monrovia, respectively.
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