Remote Energy Celebrates Graduation of Spring 2024 Women's Only Solar Fundamentals
Class
Remote Energy proudly celebrates the graduation of 53 remarkable women from its Spring
2024 Women's Only Solar Fundamentals with Energy Storage Units 1 & 2 Class. This diverse
cohort, representing Uganda, Cameroon, Tanzania, and Kenya, embarked on a transformative
journey of intensive training. Their dedication not only deepened their solar skills but also
shattered the barriers and stereotypes that often hinder women from accessing technical
education and job opportunities in the solar industry.
What sets the Remote Energy Women's Program apart is its commitment to providing students
with the extra time and encouragement needed to successfully complete the course. Despite
facing challenges such as network issues, electricity failures, lack of prior experience with online
courses, and family responsibilities, these resilient women persevered. They attribute much of
their success to the supportive environment created by the women's only class, where they felt
empowered and confident to participate fully.
One student shared, "Being among my fellow women made me confident and able to participate
in any activity." The overwhelmingly positive feedback from the students underscores the
importance of a women-only environment in their learning experience.
"We are incredibly proud of the women who have graduated from our program. Their
determination and commitment inspire us every day," said Carol Weis, Co-founder of Remote
Energy.
Remarkably, 100% of the students expressed their desire to pursue a solar license, highlighting
the significant impact of the program. Many cited lack of experience and opportunities as their
biggest barriers to entering the solar industry. The course curriculum included hands-on lab
classes where students learned to safely test PV modules, experiment with shading and
orientation, assemble and wire solar lighting systems, and mount PV modules onto roofs.
Weis also expressed sincere appreciation to numerous individual and corporate donors,
including Fluke Energy, Andersen Construction, the Rotary Club International, and BayWa r.e.s.
SES. "This program would not be possible without the generous support of the community. With
a record number of students in this cohort, we eagerly anticipate welcoming an even larger
group of aspiring solar professionals in our Fall 2024 classes, to build a gender-balanced,
diverse and inclusive solar industry."
For more information about Remote Energy's Women's Program and upcoming classes, please
visit www.RemoteEnergy.org.
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Ella Nielsen
Membership & Engagement Director
American Solar Energy Society
Boulder CO
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