Addis Ababa — GTZ's project, Access to Modern Energy Services-Ethiopia (AMES-E) on Wednesday launched the first learning sector for solar technology setup to Selam Technical and Vocational College.

The cooperation with Selam has led to the founding of the first solar school in Addis Ababa. In cooperation with the German Society for Solar Energy (DGS), eight trainees have been taking part in the training for the last one month.

Subsequent to its commencement, the solar school will provide training and skill-upgrading in photovoltaic and solar thermal as well as maintenance of solar panels thereby ensuring sustainability of the program in the solar energy development initiatives of the AMES-E, said Dr. Uwe Hartmann, Chief Executive Officer of DGS at the launching ceremony held at compound of Selam College.

AMES-E is installing photovoltaic (PV) solar system for electricity generation of 50 off-grid, public health centers in remote areas through out Ethiopia. The PV solar systems will provide enough energy for refrigerating vaccines, in-patient and out-patient examinations as well as powering microscopes and other medical technology, Hartmann added.

"AMES-E aims to provide sustainable access to modern energy service including hydro and solar electrification for more than 300,000 beneficiaries," he said.

The German Society for Solar Energy is one of the oldest Solar NGO in Germany. Established in 1996, it has already worked with a network of solar schools in Germany, head quartered in Berlin. Since then more than 3600 architects, engineers and craftsmen have been trained in the field of solar thermal systems and photovoltaic systems.

Alemayehu Tegenu, Minister, Ministry of Mines and Energy, Ambassador Dr. Claas D. Knoop, Embassy of Germany and invited guests attended the event.