DMU: Debre Markos University signs a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Sahay Solar Association, Germany/Switzerland Company, to work jointly on Renewable Energy Laboratory at Debre Markos University.

The two years project enables Debre Markos University building a capacity and performing social electrification projects focusing on Photovoltaic laboratory set-up, capacity building and electrification of rural schools with off-grid solar energy from September 2018 – August 2020.

The director of Debre Markos University Industry Linkage Directorate Mr. Negalign Alemu states that the  University collaborates with Sahay Solar Association Africa (Sahay)  aiming  to set up a Photovoltaic (PV) Laboratory, to conduct solar PV system training at DMU. He aslos states that the agreement is working on solar energy, the cheapest source of energy of other sources. In order to serve and support the university and local communities in the region by installing solar energy systems at rural schools that have no access to the national electricity grid.

Mr. Engdaw Abel, program coordinator, on his part states that the solar energy practiced in Debre Markos University shall serve to improve the service of the activities in the university and other rural schools. The project will provide energy for means of light, mobile phone charging, radio-based education, watching TV, use of office equipment (such as computers, printer/copy machines) while educating the rural communities about the personal consumption.

Rationally, it was confirmed that the project could be able to enhance education in rural schools by providing a service on the education to local communities. Moreover in the project it is stated that the project will generate income for schoolsin maintenance costs; serve the local communities creating awareness and offering education about the opportunities that off-grid solar energy provides.  Establishing a local technical team that carries out installation works of the solar systems and regular maintenance works with the strong interest and commitment of both parties to enter into a firm collaboration is the major platform of the agreement.