Training of Youth Technicians and new Graduated Engineers on construction and rehabilitation of Solar Power System

Terms of Reference

For consultant/firm

Training of Youth Technicians and new Graduated Engineers on construction and rehabilitation of Solar Power System

Under the project

“Towards more protected, resilient, and self-reliant crisis-affected communities in the Baalbek District of Lebanon and Rural Damascus in Syria”

Oxfam Lebanon Programme

Background

Oxfam is a global movement of people, working together to end the injustice of poverty. Oxfam has been working in Lebanon since 1993. We provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people affected by conflict, and we promote economic justice and good governance, and women’s rights. Oxfam also works with local partners to contribute to the protection and empowerment of marginalized women and men.

In responding to the Syrian Refugee Crisis, Oxfam addresses the emergency water needs through WaSH service provision to populations residing in informal settlements; and to those of the Lebanese host communities through efforts to improve water infrastructure and management systems.

Oxfam’s response includes equipping wells with solar pumping systems, water trucking services, water tank distributions, and water quality monitoring; provision of family latrines with gender-sensitive considerations and for persons with special needs, construction of grey water systems, and latrine desludging services; in addition to raising awareness around public health issues in local partners.

Objective

In line with Oxfam's climate justice strategy, and in efforts to respond to the solar market assessment findings and recommendations in solar energy technologies competences, Oxfam will team up with local initiatives, consultants and companies that are specialized in solar technology to equip 32 young men and women, 50% Syrian and 50% Lebanese in the target communities with knowledge and skills on solar technology. The participants will be trained on solar technology through theoretical as well as practical modalities. Also, the participants will receive a specialized tool-kit according to their specialty in order to allow them to maintain and install solar systems.

Oxfam is looking for a firm (consultant/company) to prepare a training module and conduct training on solar PV systems construction and maintenance for 32 youth (50% women, 50% men, 50% Syrian and 50% Lebanese). The module should include theoretical as well as practical knowledge on construction and rehabilitation works.

The consultant is required to have a comprehensive grasp of construction and rehabilitation of solar system, applied professional experience in conducting training and must be able to provide flexible course delivery in order to meet the participants and organizations’ needs.

The consultant is requested to design a short training module (around 5 days). The design must involve theoretical and practical methodology. Further, the consultant should prepare suitable (relevant to the context) training materials.

The main tasks of the consultant are:

• Develop training module guide.
• Train the 16 Youth, Technicians persons, on field construction and maintenance of solar facility (Household solar, solar water pumping).
• Train the 16 Youth new graduated solar engineers on construction and maintenance of solar facility (Household solar, solar water pumping).
• Link the participants with the market, Introduce the participants to solar companies. Invite companies to attend the end of training ceremony and distribution of certificates.
• Review proposed tool kit.

In coordination with Oxfam

• Certificate of attendance will be shared with participants.
• Invite BWE, municipalities as well as members of the Chamber of Commerce to participate in the process in order to connect the youth with the different responsible stakeholders (supplier should have a good related with Chamber of Commerce).

Expected deliverable

The following deliverables will be expected from the contracted consultant:

• Training Module guide (including One or two PowerPoint/PDF on each agreed part with illustrations.
• Five days training on solar installation and maintenance for each of the two groups.
• Solar training report includes pre-post-tests analysis, pictures.

The training will cover the following tools and lessons as well:

A) For the Youth technical

Duration: 5 days, 8 hours each day

Target: Young installers, Technicians and Electricians who need a course on solar installation, installation teams who need efficient practical training, and fresh graduate students from technical and Vocational Education and Training centers

Module 1: Introduction to Solar Energy Systems

• Overview of solar energy and its applications.
• Types of solar panels and their specifications.
• Basic understanding of energy and power.

Module 2: Solar PV System Components

• PV system components, types & specifications: inverters, charge controllers, batteries, wiring, and mounting structures.
• Electrical safety precautions and standards.

Module 3: Site Assessment and Installation Planning

• Site assessment techniques.
• Basic shading information.
• Basic mechanical & electrical system considerations.
• Health and safety guidelines for site work.

Module 4: System Installation and Commissioning

• Solar panel mounting and wiring.
• Inverter and battery installation.
• System testing and commissioning.
• Safety considerations during installation.
• Troubleshooting common installation problems.

Practical training (Two days out of five)

Objective: Basic skills for solar panel installation and wiring.

• Overview of safety procedures
• Hands-on activity: Assembling and wiring a small solar panel
• Testing and troubleshooting of solar panel system

Objective: Basic knowledge of solar system design and installation.

• Hands-on activity: Installing solar panel and charge controller/hybrid inverter to a

battery system

• Advanced wiring and installation techniques
• Testing and troubleshooting of solar panel system

Objective: Advanced installation, inspection and troubleshooting techniques.

• Site visits and inspection checklists
• Testing different solar system components
• Troubleshooting common solar system issues
• Best practices for system design and installation

B) Junior engineers

Duration: 5 days, 8 hours

Target: Junior Engineer Mechanical, Electrical or Civil Engineer

Module 1: Introduction to Solar Energy Systems

• Overview of solar energy and its applications.
• Types of solar panels and their specifications.
• Basic understanding of energy and power.

Module 2: Solar PV System Components

• PV system components, types & specifications: inverters, charge controllers, batteries, wiring, and mounting structures.
• Electrical safety precautions and standards.

Module 3: Site Assessment and Installation Planning

• Site assessment techniques.
• Basic shading information.
• Basic mechanical & electrical system considerations.
• Health and safety guidelines for site work.

Module 4: System Installation and Commissioning

• Solar panel mounting and wiring.
• Inverter and battery installation.
• System testing and commissioning.
• Safety considerations during installation.
• Troubleshooting common installation problems.

Module 5: PV System Sizing and Design (including software design…)

• Load analysis and sizing
• Energy consumption calculations
• Battery sizing and selection
• System design and optimization
• Advanced understanding of energy and power

Module 6: Off-Grid PV Systems (including software design…)

• Off-grid system design considerations
• Load balancing and system sizing
• Battery management and maintenance
• Troubleshooting and repair
• In-depth understanding of off-grid system components

Module 7: Hybrid PV Systems (including software design…)

• Hybrid system design considerations
• System components and integration
• Load management and system optimization
• Troubleshooting and repair
• Advanced understanding of hybrid system components

Module 8: Grid-Tied PV Systems (including software design…)

• Grid-tied system design considerations
• Interconnection and permitting requirements
• Net metering and billing arrangements
• Troubleshooting and repair
• Understanding of grid-tied system components

Module 9: steel structure / civil works module

• Design considerations
• Code of practice and standards
• Basic load and load combination
• Material

Practical training (One day out of five); Visit to existing and under construction sites.

Training Methodology

In order to ensure easy and smooth understanding of the training material, the suggested methodology to perform the training would consist of:

• Presentations
• Open discussions
• Site visits
• Hand-outs
• Questions and Answers

The consultant could suggest equivalent convenient methodology.

Qualifications

The selected candidate should be self-motivated, have the following qualifications:

• Experience in conducting training and teaching methodologies.
• At least three years’ experience in either construction/rehabilitation or solar power system
• The firm or entity must provide a pool of experts (solar engineer-expert in software, senior field engineer, others).
• Able to travel to project sites.

The team must:

• Have good organizational skills, proven experience in coordinating with national stakeholders and expert teams.
• Have good analytical and organizational skills
• Have good understanding of national policy and institutional structures,
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team
• Fully proficient in the solar software applications.
• Excellent verbal and writing communication skills in English

Submission documents:

The bidders should submit the following:

• Training Methodology and workplan.
• Technical Expert; Specific Experience relevant to the assignment; List of similar projects implemented (including, client, scope-brief details of project, date, contact references
• Consultant profile (if applicable).
• CV: CV for person conducting training, professional background and other supporting documents showing the qualification (solar engineer-expert in software, senior field engineer, others).
• Two or three references (company name, contact name and telephone number).
• The financial proposal: The bidders should submit the detailed financial offer in USD dollar. (Note: Oxfam will provide venue to conduct training)

Tentative timeline:

The activity is expected to start on July 3, 2023.
The first draft of the module is expected to be shared one week after signing the contract/PO.

Time for the training will be agreed after submitting the training module and approving it by Oxfam.

Coordination:

Activities by the consultant should be coordinated closely with Oxfam’s Renewable Energy Advisor and Senior Engineer. A meeting with Renewable Energy Advisor and Senior Public Health Engineer will be organised after signing the contract/PO.

Timeframe and Payment

Payment shall be 100% upon handover and approval by Oxfam on the shared material.

Submission of quotations and Questions

Submission of quotations and any requests for clarification may be submitted by email to eekhoury@oxfam.org.uk  ccing  SHeneskehian@oxfam.org.uk