Solar Technology Yard Upgraded with New Grid-Tie Systems

Ahead of the 2026 intake, Forever Tvet Institute has completed a significant upgrade to its outdoor Solar Technology Yard. The facility, which forms the centrepiece of the school's renewable energy practical training, now features six fully operational grid-tie installation bays alongside the existing off-grid configurations.

Grid-tie systems — which feed surplus solar energy back into Rwanda's national electricity grid — represent a growing segment of the country's solar market. Until this upgrade, students trained primarily on off-grid and battery-storage systems. The addition of grid-tie bays means that students graduating from the 2026 intake will be qualified to install and commission both system types, making them significantly more employable.

The upgrade also includes new real-time monitoring software installed at each bay, allowing students to observe live energy production, consumption, and export data during their practical sessions. This mirrors the monitoring dashboards used by professional solar installation companies and gives students a head start in understanding the data-driven side of the industry.

Rwanda's national energy strategy has set ambitious targets for expanding solar capacity over the coming decade. Demand for qualified solar technicians is expected to grow substantially, and this upgrade positions Forever Tvet graduates at the front of that pipeline.