{"id":1196,"date":"2025-07-23T21:17:23","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T21:17:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/?p=1196"},"modified":"2025-10-23T11:23:54","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T11:23:54","slug":"accomplishing-dreams-and-breaking-stereotypes-solar-power-training-for-50-guyanese-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/2025\/07\/23\/accomplishing-dreams-and-breaking-stereotypes-solar-power-training-for-50-guyanese-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Accomplishing dreams and breaking stereotypes: Solar Power Training For 50 Guyanese Women"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Isaiah Braithwaite<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fifty women have embarked on an incredible journey as part of the Guyana Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Program (GUYSOL) Women in Solar Apprenticeship Program. They are learning to use technology that converts sunlight into electricity. Training is being done by the public utility company Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) through GUYSOL, funded through the Guyana-Norway partnership, and administered by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). The course involves five weeks of classroom sessions covering practical and theoretical skills in solar energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, the trainees embark on an eight-month apprenticeship with GUYSOL, where they will get virtual coaching from the training firm Green Solutions International SKN Inc. The program aligns with a national drive to combat climate change and utilize renewable energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GUYSOL is developing eight utility-scale photovoltaic solar projects totaling 33MWp (Megawatt peak) of renewable energy, and the women will receive quality on-the-job experience. Social Management Specialist at GUYSOL, Chitra Singh-Samaroo, said the program addresses gender inequality in the energy sector by training women for technical positions where their participation is minimal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said the program positions them for sustainable careers in a field that helps Guyana transition to renewable energy. She added that the women will receive a stipend during their training. Traditionally, technical fields like solar photovoltaics are male dominated, and this program helps to redress this imbalance and promote gender equality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis initiative aims to equip women with technical skills and promotes their inclusion in a sector that offers growing economic opportunities. With the energy sector positioned to play a pivotal role in driving national development, it is crucial that women are prepared to participate meaningfully. Empowering women with these skills is not just important, it is essential to ensuring that the benefits of Guyana\u2019s rapid development are shared equitably and sustainably,\u201d Singh-Samaroo said.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Winseena Welcome configuring components of the Mobile Solar Lab<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The participants saw the training program as an opportunity to follow their dreams and break stereotypes. Winseena Welcome, a trainee from Kwakwani (Region 10), said seeing and understanding what it takes to run an efficient solar system has been intriguing. As her community suffers from regular power outages, she plans to install a solar PV system at home to help with the electricity supply after finishing her training.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would say the program might seem overwhelming, but everything is broken down very nicely for everyone…even if you start with zero knowledge…I\u2019m interested in all the skills, knowledge, and experience that comes with the training,\u201d she asserted.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Marieamma Desenmangarazon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Marieamma Desenmangarazon, a trainee from Region Six, said the program was exceptional, and she gained valuable knowledge about solar photovoltaics, in which she is keenly interested. She believes the training program will give her all the skills, knowledge, and experience required for a lucrative career in solar energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said, \u201cSolar photovoltaics isn\u2019t hard. Sometimes you feel overwhelmed…it\u2019s fine to feel so at first…focus…do online research…that helps a lot…don\u2019t listen to anyone\u2019s negative thoughts…it\u2019s really great training. Always remind yourself you\u2019re capable of succeeding in anything once you put your mindset towards it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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Denise Tull<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Denise Tull from Region Two said she took advantage of the training after falling in love with a solar farm she worked on for two months. \u201cI can safely say to women who want to learn about photovoltaic systems…it is very interesting and fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s learning the process of turning light energy into electrical energy and also meeting with other women who share the same interest.\u201d She has found the experience enjoyable and educational and eagerly anticipates using her new skills.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Sophea Baksh<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Sophea Baksh of Region Five shared that learning new technical skills is something she always loved and learning about solar photovoltaic systems is one of those skills she has her eyes on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Baksh said she was elated when she recognized the opportunity to pursue her dream. \u201cI\u2019m amazed at what I\u2019m learning…It has been educational and enlightening…Solar PV systems are a clean [power] source and eco-friendly, which will help to reduce the carbon footprint…the consumption of fossil fuel will be reduced, resulting in a healthier environment for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI would like to encourage women to give Solar PV training a shot…it\u2019s a bit challenging at first to remember everything, but as long as you set your mind and take up the challenge, you will succeed. Let\u2019s not forget about having self-confidence…you will achieve anything you set your mind to achieve,\u201d Baksh said. With a growing local demand for energy and a global shift towards renewable sources, the 50 women participating in the program are preparing for crucial roles in a smooth transition to renewable energy<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By Isaiah Braithwaite Fifty women have embarked on an incredible journey as part of the Guyana Utility-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Program (GUYSOL) Women in Solar Apprenticeship Program. They are learning to use technology that converts sunlight into electricity. Training is being done by the public utility company Guyana Power and Light Inc. (GPL) through GUYSOL, funded […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1197,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":68,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,21],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-1196","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-featured","8":"category-renewable-energy"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1196"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1196\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1360,"href":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1196\/revisions\/1360"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1197"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/energyguyana.gy\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}