Investing in knowledge for kustainable energy: Sunshine Solutions
Reliable electricity is essential for quality healthcare and education. Yet in many countries where MIVA operates, power outages still occur regularly. Hospitals and schools often rely on unreliable national grids or expensive diesel generators. Moreover, the demand for energy is growing due to the use of medical equipment and digital learning tools. In this context, solar energy is playing an increasingly important role in MIVA projects. That’s why we introduced the Sunshine Solutions training.
From installation to optimal use
For a number of years now, MIVA has been supporting our partners in the transition to solar energy. In practice, however, it became clear that installation alone is not enough to achieve the intended impact. Many healthcare and educational institutions lack the knowledge to properly use and manage solar energy systems. For example, staff do not know how to align energy consumption with the system’s capacity or how to identify simple problems in a timely manner. As a result, systems are sometimes underutilized, unexpectedly become inoperable, or investments turn out to be less sustainable than hoped. These experiences prompted MIVA in 2025 to develop a new program: the Sunshine Solutions program. Together with our technical partner BBM, a subsidiary of the Austrian company MIVA, we developed a practical and accessible training program specifically designed for the everyday users of solar energy systems.
Practical training for non-technical users
The two-day Sunshine Solutions training is intended for employees of partner organizations who are responsible for their institution’s energy supply. The training is deliberately designed to be accessible: participants do not need a technical background. In plain language, they learn how the systems work, how energy consumption can be calculated, and how smart choices lead to lower costs and a longer system lifespan. Topics such as battery types, maintenance, malfunctions, and supplier selection are covered. They also learn how monitoring data can be used to track performance, identify cost savings, and detect problems early on. In this way, solar energy transforms from an incomprehensible technology into a manageable and reliable tool.
No more fear of power outages
A school community with 70 preschool and elementary schools in Nigeria: Thanks to solar energy, we have a reliable power supply. Our training and computer centers can now stay open longer, without fear of sudden power outages. It makes a world of difference for our students.
During the Sunshine Solutions training, I discovered how solar energy really works and why it’s so important for a sustainable future. We didn’t just learn the theory; we also got hands-on: cleaning panels, testing batteries, and understanding how to charge them safely and efficiently. With a properly functioning solar energy system, we save money every month. We can now use that money for other important school projects.”
Pilot and initial results in 2025
In 2025, the Sunshine Solutions training was tested for the first time in Nigeria and Ethiopia. Participants reported feeling more confident in managing their solar energy systems and having a better understanding of how their daily actions affect performance and costs. Concrete improvements were also evident, such as more efficient energy use and faster detection of technical problems. An important component of the program is the train-the-trainer model. In this model, local participants are trained to further share their knowledge within their networks. This expands the training’s reach, reduces reliance on external experts, and strengthens local ownership.
Long-term sustainable impact
Through the Sunshine Solutions program, MIVA demonstrates that investing in sustainable energy requires more than just equipment. By investing in knowledge and skills, we structurally strengthen our partner organizations. More efficient energy use leads to lower maintenance and fuel costs for generators, thereby freeing up more resources for healthcare and education for vulnerable groups. The training thus represents an important step in MIVA’s broader commitment to sustainability: not only by choosing clean energy, but above all by ensuring that this energy is used properly, safely, and sustainably. In the coming years, MIVA aims to further expand this program by offering this training to more partner organizations and implementing it in other countries, thereby contributing to reliable service delivery and a just energy transition.
MIVA International & BBM
Forsolar energy projects, MIVA works closely with BBM, the technical partner within the international MIVA network. BBM is a nonprofit organization with more than 30 years of experience in Africa in the fields of mobility, technology, and ecology. As a subsidiary of MIVA Austria, BBM provides expert technical support, ranging from designing solutions to training and coaching local installers. By collaborating with BBM and international MIVA organizations, we can not only carry out projects more efficiently but also share knowledge with one another.
