Context
In finding a sustainable, affordable and reliable energy solution to meet its needs, Gambia has incorporated in its energy strategy the solution to leapfrog the dirty development pathways followed by countries in the global North and power its economies and its societies through renewable energy decarbonisation of the electricity sector. Solar PV is the most common renewable energy technology used in the Gambia and remains the most promising renewable energy technology in the provision of electricity and water pumping in certain parts of the country.
In the Gambia, most government projects involving the installation and use of solar PV technologies are usually contracted to foreign solar companies or experts that design and install the solar systems for use in health facilities and water pumping boreholes mostly in rural areas. More than 90% of the so-called indigenous solar PV technicians have not benefited from any form of professional or structured solar PV training. In the Gambia, none of the existing tertiary and higher education institutions offer training in the installation and management of Solar PV and other renewable energy technologies and are ill-equipped to do so.
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