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Solar repair and safe handling training

Five practical sessions at a Solar Second Life hub, for people who work with solar or want to. You'll learn to find faults, revive what can be revived, and handle dead equipment safely.

Apply for training
Cost
Free
Places
15 per cohort
Sessions
5, hands-on
Where
In person, at a hub
Age
18 and over
Starter toolkit
When you graduate

Cohort dates

You can only be selected for one cohort at a time.

Applications open

Cohort 1

Port Harcourt · November 2026

We confirm the exact dates and venue at your interview.

Apply for Cohort 1
Opens later

Cohort 2

Port Harcourt · February 2027

Applications open after Cohort 1 is full. Join the community to hear first.

Join the community

Not near one of our hubs? We're opening more, in more cities and countries. Join the community to hear first when training comes to yours.

The five sessions

Each session is hands-on, with real panels, batteries and inverters. We check your skills at the start and again at the end, so you can see how far you've come. Attend all five to graduate with a certificate and your own starter toolkit.

  1. Solar basics and working safely

    Handle It Safe

    How a solar system fits together, the tools and safety equipment you need, and how to work around batteries and DC power without getting hurt.

  2. Finding the fault

    Keep It Running

    Test panels, batteries, charge controllers and inverters with a multimeter, and work out what has really failed.

  3. Repair and revival

    Keep It Running

    Fix the faults that come up most often, on the bench and on real systems at sites found through our register, under supervision. Record the before and after so the owner can sign it off.

  4. Safe storage, transport and recycling

    Handle It Safe

    What to do with equipment that can't be saved: lithium battery fire risk, safe storage, moving it without leaks or fires, and handing it to a licensed recycler. Led with a battery-safety specialist.

  5. Practical assessment and next steps

    Both skills

    Show what you've learned on real equipment, then plan how to use your new skills for work and income.

Who can apply

  • You're 18 or over.
  • You live or work in or near the hub you apply to.
  • You can attend all five sessions.
  • You want to use the skills for work, in a trade, an association or on your own.

You don't need solar experience. We welcome complete beginners, people with some experience, and working technicians who want to go further.

Places for women, and support to attend

At least 30% of places in every cohort are for women, and 60% for young people aged 18 to 35.

Every trainee gets a transport and refreshment allowance for each session. On top of that, we can help with:

  • Childcare
  • Mobility support
  • Extra transport help

Tick what you need on the form. Asking for support does not affect your chance of being selected.

How selection works

Places are free and limited, so we want them to go to people who will come to every session.

  1. Apply

    Fill in the short form. It takes about five minutes and you don't need an account.

  2. We shortlist

    We read every application and invite a shortlist to interview.

  3. Short interview

    Usually online, so you don't need to travel. We talk through the training, what you want from it, and make sure you can attend all five sessions.

  4. Confirm your place

    We select 15 people for each cohort. Two more go on a reserve list, so if someone drops out, the place isn't wasted.

A safe place to learn

Solar repair has mostly been a man's trade. We've set the training up so everyone can take part and feel safe doing it.

Daytime sessions, accessible venue

Every session runs in the daytime at a workshop that's easy to reach and get around.

Women on the training team

At least one female facilitator works with every cohort.

A Code of Conduct everyone signs

Trainees and staff all agree to our Code of Conduct before the first session.

Someone to tell, in confidence

We have a named safeguarding lead. If something worries you, report a concern. You don't have to give your name.

Questions

Does it cost anything?

No. The training is free, and so are the field guide and videos.

Do I need my own tools?

No. We provide all the tools, safety equipment and practice equipment you'll use. Finish all five sessions and you graduate with a starter toolkit of your own.

Will I be filmed?

Some sessions are recorded to make free video lessons. We ask for your written consent first, and you can choose not to appear on camera. It won't affect your place.

What if I miss a session?

Tell us as soon as you can. You need all five sessions to graduate and receive your starter toolkit, so if you know you can't attend one, it may be better to apply for the next cohort.

What happens after I graduate?

You can choose to be listed in our Find a technician directory, so equipment owners can reach you on WhatsApp. You can also take on repairs logged on the equipment register.

What do you do with my information?

We use it only to run the training and report on it to our funders, without names. We never publish your phone number. Read our Privacy Policy.

Ready to apply?

You'll need your phone number and about five minutes. Your email is optional.

Start your application