Solar Power to Villages in Karen State, Myanmar

In Myanmar access to national grid service is still limited to around 30% of total population and the electric service is frequently suspended by black-outs even in big cities.

In the State of Kayin(=Karen) ,electrification ratio is still under 10% ,one of the lowest figure in Myanmar.

To contribute to improve such situation, especially in the public facilities, BHN has been, since 2013, installing solar power systems to 8 high schools, 3 hospitals, 1 village water well and other public places.

Along with the installation works of solar systems, BHN has been continuously conducted educational workshops to villagers on system maintenance & sustainable managements of the systems.

The State Government of Kayin is also actively distributing solar systems to private houses in the rural areas, however, the knowledge of the State staff is still very much insufficient to teach & consult with the villagers on proper use of solar systems.  Such situation caused too many damages and troubles with the State installed solar systems too.

To improve the solar electric literacy of the State staffs BHN conducted, in 2014~2015, educational courses for State staffs for them to be able to guide villagers on proper use of solar systems, as well as to make the staffs able to repair simple troubles.

In 2016, BHN also started a new educational courses to train on 2 tiers of levels: (1) Solar System Adviser course  and,  (2)Trainers to Trainers course. 

Once the students pass the examination for tier (1), they will be awarded the title of “Solar Power System Adviser” from the State Government and BHN.

Students for Tier (2) course are basically chosen from the Solar Power System Advisers of the preceding year and they will be responsible to create further numbers of Solar Power Advisers so as the State Government will have a sustainable system of creating Solar Advisers in future,after BHN left the State,