Solar panel prototype manufacturing project from Ministry of Science, Technology and Research

The Ministry of Science, Technology and Research has launched a Science Technology and Research related educational training program, to facilitate the manufacture of solar panel prototypes.

This project which is of five-year duration is being implemented at a cost of Rs. 240 million. One of the objectives of this project is to facilitate the research and development work relating to the prototype manufacturing of solar panels and will be implemented by the universities of Kelaniya, Peradeniya, Jaffna, and Ruhuna. Also, it is scheduled to finalise eight PhDs related to this subject field by the time this project is finalised.

Recently, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA) and the Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority to train 2,000 Sri Lankan youths on the maintenance and repair of solar panels with NVQ level – 4 vocational qualification, which took place at the Ministry Auditorium. 

It is aimed to provide necessary training to create formally trained and recognised technicians as a measure of addressing the issue related to the lack of a recognised workforce in this filed in Sri Lanka. This project is funded by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research while NAITA will be providing necessary training. The Sri Lanka Sustainable Energy Authority will be contributing to this training program by providing the equipment and space available at their training centre in Hambantota.

This agreement was signed by Ministry Secretary Chinthaka S. Lokuhetti, National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority Chairman Nazeer Ahamed, and Sustainable Energy Authority Chairman T.M.R. Bangsa Jayah.

In addition, this program will be instrumental in imparting knowledge to school students on energy and the manufacture of solar panels as well as educating them on the operation of simple equipment utilising solar panel technology. At the request of the Ministry of Education, Advance Level teachers of technology subject stream will also be trained in this filed under this project. 

This event was attended by Ministry of Science, Technology and Research Director Nazeema Ahamed, Director of this project Prof. Sudath Kalingamudali, and a group of officers of institutions associated with the project.