In the framework of the WP5 “Tools to remove barriers preventing distributed solar technology uptake by local markets” activities, a capacity building programme has been successfully realized. The starting point was the identification of tools to remove the barriers that prevent distributed solar technology uptake by local markets. Thanks to the initial state of the art of solar technology in MPCs and after the results of the SWOT analysis related to this technology, ENEA and CIEMAT, major partners in WP5, in agreement with MPC’s partners and based on the requests of key stakeholders met during the technical meetings/visits, decided to focus the pilot capacity building on SOLAR PV. The basic idea is to guarantee high quality products and safety and well installed plants in order to boost citizens and politicians in being confident towards PV technologies. The quality value chain of solar photovoltaics met such expectation. Therefore ENEA proposed and tested a Capacity Building programme built upon two pillars: standards qualifying testing procedures and certified competences.
In the second half of the project, as a follow up of technical meetings, ENEA experts, with the support of local partners, have analyzed regional needs dealing with accreditation and certification bodies, standardization bodies and accredited testing laboratories. The information collected kicked off of the Capacity Building programme: in each partner countries a training of trainers of vocational school and experts have been organized. In Lebanon and Egypt the ToT course has been certified by an international accredited Third Part.
In each partner countries workshops and a technical seminar have been organized for and attended by decision makers, stakeholders and experts involved in renewable energy and PV sector.
Experts and engineers, together with personnel of standardization bodies, have participated in an ad hoc study tour at ENEA’s accredited testing labs.
As a matter of facts, the quality value chain of solar photovoltaics is sustainable if the entire Mediterranean basin, after having harmonized policies and regulations, shares common standards to qualify products as well as to certify competences.