Solar Power Project – A Hands On Workshop

Solar Power Project - A Hands On Workshop

INTRO: Are you passionate about renewable energies? Would you like to learn more about solar energy? Would you be interested in helping to get power to off-grid remote elementary schools in Costa Rica? Then you should participate in our Hands-on Solar Power Workshop on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica.

DETAILS: The workshop is a mix of solar-power-theory and a hands-on practical workshop part. You will gain an understanding of the basic engineering principles of photovoltaic power, and you’ll even learn how to build your own solar panels from scratch. You’ll also participate in a solar-Install of a solar system on an off-grid rural school on the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. We will also visit other off-grid solar locations during the workshop, where you can see and feel what it is like to live purely “solar powered”. The workshop also includes local Costa Ricans, who’ll participate in some aspects of the workshop!

VOLUNTEER DUTIES: We ask of our participants to actively take part in the theory and practical lessons, and help us with the installations of the solar system. We also include a visit to the local high school and we ask from our participants to actively help plan the high school visit and teach high school kids about solar energy. We also include locals into our daily practical and theory classes, and we would appreciate that participants help us to teach locals about solar energy.

QUALIFICATIONS: An ideal volunteer on this project has a passion for environmental conservation, renewable energy, and helping communities. As a participant you should be flexible, pro-active, creative, and a team-player! The workshop is held in English for our foreign participants.

DATES: The workshop is held for two weeks in the end of July 2018.

The ideal day to fly into Costa Rica would be the 14th of July 2018, and the flight out date would be the 28th of July 2018. The workshop duration is 2 weeks (but shorter periods may be possible - just ask us).

SCHEDULE: The workshop classes start on Monday the 16th of July and end on Thursday the 26th of July 2018. The daily schedule is from around 9am - 3pm, with a lunch break. There will be some days off in the middle and end of the workshop - so that you have the chance to enjoy the Osa Peninsula: go to the beach, go for a surf, go for a horseback ride, or just hang out around town.

LOCATION: The Project will be in Puerto Jimenez, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica. The installations will happen around the Osa Peninsula, in small rural schools.

ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD: While you’re on this project you’ll live with local host families, together with other Solar Project Participants. Usually we have the participants split up in 2 - 3 different families. You may share a room with one of the participants. Food is Costa Rican typical food cooked for you and prepared by your host family. You’ll all eat together in a common space at certain hours. Usually breakfast will be around 7am, lunch around 12:30pm, and dinner around 6pm.  

FEES: The two week program is 1200$.

FEES EXPLAINED

Our fees for the solar project covers a lot of different aspects. Around 300$ go into your host family accommodation and food. Another 300$ cover instructor expenses (flights, salaries,etc.) and coordinator costs. Around 200$ go into materials for the workshop. 200$ is included as a donation to the project and will cover the solar system we donate to the schools. Finally another 200$ are used towards transportation costs while you’re on the project (to installation and excursion sites), other costs such as room rental fee (which we have to pay to rent the room where we’ll be working in), and other small expenses.

NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE: First and last night in San Jose in a hostel, travel to and from the international airport (airport shuttles are around 30$ each way to San Jose - We can set this up for you, just ask us during sign-up), travel to the project site (usually by public buses, which are from around 10-16$ one way), national/ International flights, travel insurance, visa costs, Any additional food or snacks besides the host family meals, extra-curricular activities.

MORE INFO, VIDEO AND PHOTO:www.glvolunteers.com/solarproject/

APPLY:www.glvolunteers.com/apply/ !