The Lagos State Government is partnering United States-based International Information Technology and Application Solar (IITA-Solar) to explore opportunities in the $50 billion global solar market providing millions of new jobs and business opportunities.
The sector reached 11.5 million globally last year.
Speaking in Lagos during the kick off of the global certification on solar technology training for unemployed youths, the Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke said that renewable energy has continued to bring socio-economic benefits by creating numerous jobs and business opportunities worldwide, adding the government was ready to build capacities of youths to take advantage of such opportunities, including manufacturing, construction and installation, operation and maintenance, as the economy continues to battle growing electricity deficit.
With energy demand expected to grow, the Commissioner said Lagos government would support youth entrepreneurship as well as take steps to leverage local capabilities to harness its renewable potential for industrial development.
According to her, the world has seen encouraging growth in renewables bring about much larger employment by adopting a comprehensive policy framework that drives the energy transition.
The collaboration with IITA-Solar, she explained, was aimed providing the training for a global certification in solar technology while NABCEP would equip the participants with the skill sets to install and maintain generation systems such as solar farm with voltage up to 16,000 volts associated with transformers.
She said 280 youths would benefit from the training, which would cover everything from how solar energy to installing solar panels. It involves both in-class and hands-on learning.
According to her, the graduates would emerge as competent and accredited solar PV design & installation professionals.
Most importantly, she added that they would have the confidence and connections to be successful in the growing renewable energy sector.
According to her, the global energy market is accelerating along with the unabated shift towards renewable energy.
The Programme Coordinator, IITA Edu, Toks Onabanjo, noted that solar power generation, has emerged the most promising markets due to the swift adoption of alternative energy generation capacities.
This, according to him, has accelerated the market growth.
According to him, the deployment of distributed solar photovoltaic systems in homes as well as for commercial and industrial buildings appears as a budding market segment worldwide, adding that it was an opportunity for young people.
He said the training was for a great opportunity for young people to gain employment and start new businesses in future solar projects.
Meanwhile, the global solar panel market is expected to skyrocket and exceed $130billion by 2030, driven by the increasing shift towards renewable energy worldwide.
