The Renewable Energy Research Group (RERG) at the Department of Physics, College of Natural Sciences (CoNAS), Makerere University has been carrying out training programmes on Solar Photovoltaic Installation and Maintenance, Biogas Production and Solar Thermal Systems annually for the last 8 years. The training programmes are designed to equip participants with competence and skills needed in the installation and maintenance of solar energy Photovoltaic systems and biogas plants. Over 200 people have benefited from the training in the last 8 years.
This year, the programme builds on past experiences and successes. Key areas of the training include:
- Introduction to basic electronics and renewable energy
- Solar Photovoltaic components & configuration; IV Characteristics
- Photovoltaic system planning and sizing; storage batteries
- Introduction to biogas, classification of biogas, field trip to biogas plant
- Photovoltaic installation, testing and commissioning; Photovoltaic system maintenance
- Solar thermal systems
- Exercises and practical sessions are emphasized throughout the training
The five-day training that started on Monday, 16th May 2022 is being conducted at the Department of Physics, Makerere University. Facilitators include lecturers and technical staff from the Department of Physics and Department of Biochemistry and Sports Science at Makerere University led by Dr Denis Okello, Head, Department of Physics also overall coordinator of the programme, Dr Karidewa Nyeinga and Mr. Michael Musoke.
Participants: The training is open to researchers, students, trainers (teachers, technical institution tutors, solar suppliers, holiday makers) and any other interested persons. At the end of the training, participants receive a certificate of completion. This time round, the training attracted participants from various backgrounds: technical personnel from the industry; and a few non-technical such as lawyers and administrators.
Sponsorship: 20 female students at the Department of Physics were sponsored to undertake the training programme by the following projects:
- NORHED II Project: Energy Technology Network (EnergyNET) funded by NORAD, Norway.
- International Science Program (ISP), Project UGA -01, funded by SIDA, Sweden.
