Shell holds training for Omani small businesses

Muscat: In line with its ongoing commitment to foster the development of the Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) sector and to promote energy sustainability and renewable skills capacity within Oman, Shell Development Oman recently held an introductory training course on the fundamentals of solar photovoltaics (PV).
The course was led by Dr Sean White from White House Solar, USA. Dr White is an internationally recognised expert in solar PV as well as a highly experienced solar installer, instructor and entrepreneur.
The training was well attended by aspiring solar entrepreneurs who are interested in developing their solar businesses, by Ministry of Education engineers who will support delivery of the first 4 pilot ‘solar school’ sites, as well as some government representatives and university students interested in the role solar technologies can play in Oman’s energy future.
The ‘Solar into Schools’ Project was identified as one of two key initiatives in Shell Oman’s 2015 Gift to the Nation announced earlier this year. This initiative will see Shell launch solar energy systems into at least 22 Omani public schools across the Sultanate over the next 5 years.
Speaking about the training, Chris Breeze, Shell Country Chair in Oman stated: “We at Shell are very pleased to support this solar PV training course. The intensive 5-day training has provided all participants with the basic fundamentals they need for photovoltaic system safety, design and installation. We see training as being vital to the successful delivery of our Solar into Schools Project, as well as to the ongoing development of Oman’s budding solar SME ecosystem. By helping SMEs arm themselves with skills and knowledge that is in line with internationally recognized good practices we help provide the right foundations for a sustainable future growth of solar PV in Oman.”