Importance of individual capacity building for successful solar program implementation: A case study in the Philippines

Abstract

Brooks, C. and Urmee, T. (2014) Importance of individual capacity building for successful solar program implementation:A case study in the Philippines. Renewable Energy, 71. pp. 176-184.http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/22588/ Copyright: © 2014 Elsevier Ltd.It is posted here for your personal use. No further distribution is permitted. IntroductionIn rural areas of developing communities electricity is essential for telecommunications, powering applications in schools, community centres and health facilities. Lack of access to reliable electricity is one of the major factors that inhibits opportunities for the development and operation of many enterprises. At the domestic level it can improve individual and family productivity and lessen the burden of many domestic tasks. Access to energy has proven fundamental to economic growth and a catalyst for alleviating poverty. However, supplying electricity by grid in these small and geographically remote and isolated areas often near impossible and not cost effective [1]. People not served by centralized power grid mostly rely on solid fuels and fossil fuels like kerosene and diesel for most of their energy needs. Fossil fuels are often imported, and their use leaves local economies vulnerable to global price fluctuations and disruptions in supply.Transporting these fuels to remote locations can be expensive and difficult, and their indiscriminate use can also be harmful to health and the environment.Photovoltaic systems, such as Solar Home Systems (SHS), are being promoted by both governments and international aid organizations as a feasible and cost effective alternative for the basic electrification of rural households [2]. A number of successful SHS pilot projects received widespread attention such as Bangladesh Solar Home System project by IDCOL [3,4]. After these success stories, solar home systems gradually came to be adopted as a viable option for rural electrification.The idea to provide rural households and small communities with solar energy projects in the Philippines is not new. Throughout the pacific-island region countries such as the Philippines have experimented with small scale rural energy projects for over three decades. Since 1970 many such projects were implemented in the Philippines in both the public and private sectors with a total investment estimated at $100 million [5]. The Government of the Philippines has been the recipient of aid funding for renewable energy projects from many of the major donor organizations (multilateral and bilateral) over the past 20-30 years. The early projects were mostly driven by international cooperation and funding agencies.The majority of these early projects were donor/aid driven and often lacked a comprehensive implementation plan to ensure sustainability in the technical transfer process. A detailed study of many of the early projects found that nearly 20-25% failed due to barriers experienced in the technology transfer process [5]. The earliest project failures were usually related to technical proble...

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“…Hence, training of the local technical personnel and users were found to be crucial in achieving the success of rural solar PV projects. 49 Some available training programs include the Training of Photovoltaic Installers (PVTRIN), which is an accreditation and training scheme for some European countries for personnel engaged in small-scale PV systems. 53 The paucity of education and training has also been identified as a barrier in the renewable energy industry, resulting in a shortfall of qualified personnel in many countries.…”

“…A need for skill development programs for installers, training of users and technicians, capacity building programs, and technically qualified installers are required. [49][50][51][52] The need for universal training modules with local improvisations was felt. 49 Easy availability of skilled technicians (from the vicinity of the project) will ensure the successful implementation of the solar PV project, especially in rural areas.…”

“…[49][50][51][52] The need for universal training modules with local improvisations was felt. 49 Easy availability of skilled technicians (from the vicinity of the project) will ensure the successful implementation of the solar PV project, especially in rural areas. In addition, training needs and content for users/technicians may differ from project to project in terms of technology, design, layout, and other local factors.…”

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“…There are also examples in humanitarian contexts of energy products being unused or re-sold (Boodhna et al 2019 ). As a result, local capacity development is an important factor in successfully delivering energy interventions (Beck and Martinot 2004 ; Radulovic 2005 ; Urmee and Harries 2009 ; Brooks and Urmee 2014 ). However, appropriate levels of expertise are needed to deliver and manage sustainable energy systems, and training on energy efficiency and energy system operation and maintenance are currently not being achieved in humanitarian response.…”

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