German experts to train PH firms on solar energy

Five German renewable energy companies will conduct training sessions later this month to help Philippine stakeholders take advantage of the country’s rich solar energy resources, the German-Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GPCCI) said Thursday.

In a statement, GPCCI general manager Nadine Fund identified these German solar energy companies as SMA Solar Technology AG; Conergy Asia and ME Pte. Ltd.; Inutec Solar Center International gmbh; QINOUS GmbH and vis solis GmbH.

The training session, dubbed the German Solar Training Week (GSTW), is being organized by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in partnership with the GPCCI, to introduce German solar competencies to potential Philippine partners.

The GSTW is part of the initiative of the German government called “renewables —Made in Germany,” which is supported by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.

According to Fund, the success of the GSTW in the past two years encouraged the cooperating organizations to hold the GSTW again this year.

“We are very happy at how this initiative has turned out. The Philippine energy sector received it very well and already, it has resulted in positive developments between German and Philippine participants. GSTW has actually became a model for similar initiatives in other countries and we are so proud that this concept was born here in the Philippines,” Fund explained.

Fund added that training would provide an excellent platform to improve business partnerships between German and Philippine companies through exchange of experiences and technology know-how.

At least 150 engineers and energy sector stakeholders are expected to attend the training, all of whom are expected to learn German innovations such as mini grid and off grid roof top project development and optimization; utility scale solar power project development; and inverter technologies and innovations.