Solar Power Project – A Hands On Workshop

Solar Power Project – A Hands On Workshop

Are you interested in Solar Energy? Would you like to learn how to make and install Solar Panels and at the same time do something great for a small rural community in Costa Rica? Then the Solar Power Workshop is great for you.

An ideal volunteer on this project has a passion for environmental conservation, renewable energy, and helping communities. You won’t need any Spanish skills, however be aware that you’ll be spending time with local Costa Ricans – who may not speak English that well – but the coordinators and teachers that are there for you throughout the course speak English. All courses are held in English for you, and in Spanish for local participants

One of the goals of our Solar Power Workshop is to provide solar power to schools and rural communities on the Osa Peninsula. The Osa Peninsula is a very remote region of Costa Rica, and one of the most biodiverse regions in the world with a large protected rainforest. Many communities and elementary schools are located entirely off-grid and don’t have any electricity for basic needs such as lights. We install the solar equipment as a donation to the schools/ communities and make the installation an integral part for our Solar Power Project group. You’ll help an experienced installer to get the installation done, and learn how to do it at the same time.

Another goal of the project is to educate locals on solar energy and show them how easy it is to build, install, and use. Solar energy is known here, but generally the locals believe it’s expensive and therefore unaffordable to them. Many don’t have any knowledge on solar energy but use solar equipment at their home, and use / install it wrongly. We take care of all workshop materials and even provide small kits to locals to purchase so they can “build their own” solar panel at home. As a participant on our project, you’ll work alongside the locals in the hands-on solar panel building part, and also during the installation of the solar equipment. Cultural integration and mixing our foreign participants and local participants is a crucial aspect for our project.

You as a participant will gain an understanding of the basic engineering principles of photovoltaic power during our theory lessons throughout the workshop. During our hands-on workshop part you’ll learn how solar panels are built and maintained, assemble all the solar panel parts, install solar panels, and educate the community. You’ll also receive some amazing guest-lectures on topics related to renewable energies in Costa Rica, and more in depth economic and solar power analysis.

We also offer some down time throughout the workshop. There will be a couple of days off (during the 2 week course in June) and also some afternoons or mornings will be free, so that you can go to the beach or just relax. It’s important to us to have a good balance between work and free time to enjoy what Costa Rica has to offer.
Our next Solar Power Workshop in Costa Rica will be June 17th – July 1st 2017.

Cost and Accommodations
The costs of the project is $1200 for 2 weeks
Includes Lodging, Food (Vegetarian / Meat options)

Language
English and Espanol

For more information, go to: http://www.glvolunteers.com/solarproject/
Does this sound as the perfect summer workshop for you?
Don’t wait any longer and apply now! http://www.glvolunteers.com/apply/
Hope to see you in June!

Your Green Life Volunteers Team