Have you ever wondered how much energy your appliances consume, what components make up a solar PV system, the cost of electricity and the efficiency and safety of your electrical appliances? These were some of the questions at the heart of a two-day community training held on Saturday, 30th November 2024, and Sunday, 1st December 2024, at the Kyampisi Living Labs in Luweero District. The sessions were facilitated by Dr. Francis Mujjuni and Mr. Paul Asiimwe. The training brought together about 70 community members across the two days to explore energy systems operation and management alongside practical ways to ensure energy efficiency.Thank you for reading this post, don’t forget to subscribe!
Day one focused on the operation and maintenance (O&M) of energy systems, with nearly 20 participants. After a brief welcome session that included outlining of objectives of the training, the participants engaged in lessons on types of solar systems, components of solar systems, safety practices, routine system checks, and start-up and shutdown procedures. This provided essential knowledge to ensure the reliability of energy systems. The sessions included practical demonstrations on how best to manage and operate energy systems, such as cleaning solar panels, maintaining inverters and battery systems, and the use of different equipment that is required during the maintenance process. By the end of the day, participants had gained not only theoretical knowledge but also the practical skills necessary for ensuring optimal energy production and increased reliability of the system.
The second day shifted to energy efficiency, attracting a larger group of about 50 participants. The sessions started with understanding key concepts in electricity, like safety, energy cost, the interpretation of appliance nameplates, and an understanding of energy consumption patterns. These lessons were brought to life by demonstrations of household appliances like light bulbs, pressure cookers, refrigerators, and cookstoves. The latter session built on this foundation with appliance-specific energy-saving practices and practical assignments. Participants also engaged and shared their experiences and insights on overcoming energy-related challenges.
The training concluded with a Q&A session, and closing remarks. Throughout the training, emphasis was placed on practical application, making complex energy concepts accessible and actionable for the community. This experience at Kyampisi Living Labs marked a significant step toward enhancing energy literacy in the rural communities.