A photovoltaic system is supplying a newly founded training centre in Haiti with solar power. The centre covers 2,000 square metres and provides training for mechanics and construction workers. Most of the modules were donated by Centrosolar, a company from Hamburg. Since the training centre opened in Léogâne on the 18 October 2011, the system has been providing power for all the school rooms, offices, teaching and production workshops, the canteen, and a boarding house for external teachers. Centrosolar is therefore making a significant contribution to an efficient power supply and has secured electricity for the training centre, which has 150 students.
Centrosolar delivered thin-film and crystalline modules with a total output of 28 kWp. The modules were installed with the help of the foundation Biohaus Stiftung. In 2009, Willi Ernst, founder of one of Centrosolar’s predecessor companies and currently an advisor for the Centrosolar Group AG, established the Biohaus-Stiftung für Umwelt und Gerechtigkeit (Biohaus Foundation for Environment and Justice). The solar pioneer travelled to Haiti himself to help install the PV system.
“The city of Léogâne was in the epicentre of the earthquake that struck in January 2010. The power supply in Haiti is still completely insufficient. We offered our support as soon as we learned about the plans to build the training centre. Our solar power system is our small way of contributing to the rebuilding of Haiti,” explained Bernd Pawlik, from the Centrosolar AG board of directors.
The training and production centre in Léogâne was built by Pro Haiti e.V., a German organisation. The students receive qualified and practice-oriented professional training, focusing on earthquake-resistant buildings. Expert photovoltaic knowledge will also be included in the training programs. Once they have completed the program, graduates will be able to professionally install and maintain solar power systems.
