Clean energy transition is an inevitable trend that helps ensure a sustainable economy. Therefore, it is essential to improve technical knowledge and practical skills for the trainers who are directly teaching and training workers and technicians in the solar energy industry. 

Learners from 10 vocational colleges participated in a PV module design activity 

From June 12-15, 2023, a theoretical training course on “Rooftop Solar Installation in Viet Nam” for 23 teachers from 10 vocational colleges was conducted at College of Machinery and Irrigation (VCMI) in Dong Nai province.  

This is the first course of the Training of Trainers (T.o.T) programme for 10 colleges jointly developed and implemented by the GIZ ESP’s project Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) and the TVET program, aiming at enhancing capacity building for relevant stakeholders in energy transition.     

During this 4-day training, 23 trainees from 10 selected vocational colleges under the TVET programme from all regions of Viet Nam acquired theoretical knowledge on PV application and small-scale PV grid-connected systems. They have also gained practical skills in PV system installation, operation and maintenance. 

Viet Nam is taking the first steps in the transition process away from fossil fuel to greener and cleaner renewable energy. This is an inevitable trend that helps ensure a sustainable economy. Therefore, it is essential to improve technical knowledge and practical skills for the trainers who are directly teaching and training workers and technicians in the solar energy industry, Mr. Sven Ernedal, representative of the GIZ Energy Support Program (ESP) shared. 

Knowledgeable trainers were invited to deliver the course, including two experienced lecturers from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Science and Technology, and an outstanding trainee from the T.o.T RTS installation program (2020-2022) who is now a lecturer at the Ho Chi Minh City Electric Power College. 

The training covered a range of topics, including solar resources, solar PV technology, PV system design and installation, health and safety, testing and commissioning. This course laid a solid foundation for the trainees’ future practical training, further study, and teaching in this field. 

In addition, learners had the opportunity to learn about specific machinery and equipment for rooftop solar power system installation such as ground resistance meter, power quality analyser, solar pyranometer, etc. The lecturers gave practical exercises on calculation and analysis so that students could better understand and consolidate the basic knowledge they have learned, creating a knowledge base for the expected implementation course at the end of the July, 2023. 

Commenting on the training session, Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong – Rector of the College of Machinery and Irrigation shared: “This is an important course, taking place at a critical time when we are facing a shortage of electricity for daily life and production. Learners are expected to quickly transfer their knowledge via training others to meet the ongoing demands and trends.”  

This initiative is in line with Viet Nam’s commitment to clean energy transition. The country has set a national goal of achieving net-zero emissions and phasing out coal by 2050, as stated by the Prime Minister at COP 26 in Glasgow. Additionally, the recent PDP 8 encourages around 50% of households to install rooftop solar systems by 2030. With the Northern region experiencing power shortages in the summer of 2023, the deployment of solar sources becomes an even more promising solution in the short term. 

“We’re excited to contribute to the development of renewable energy in Viet Nam and enhance the skills and knowledge of our trainees. Together, we can create a sustainable and clean energy future!”, Mr. Sven Ernedal, representative of the GIZ Energy Support Program (ESP) emphasised. 

The collaboration between the ESP and TVET began in 2020. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2022, the two programmes have successfully conducted three virtual theoretical trainings and two practical trainings on solar PV technologies and rooftop solar system installation in Viet Nam. These trainings have benefited 20 lecturers from Ninh Thuan Vocational Training and 20 staffs from Ho Chi Minh Electric Power College.  

The Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy for Southeast Asia (CASE) project, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Actions (BMWK), aims to support Southeast Asian partner countries in the transition to a future energy system that provides reliable and affordable energy to the people while increasing political ambition to comply with the Paris Agreement. Through a comprehensive approach, including public, private and research organisations, CASE contributes to shifting the narrative of the energy sector in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Viet Nam towards an evidence-based energy transition.