Scaling Up Kyrgyzstan’s First Solar Skills Program
This project builds on the success of two hands-on solar trainings delivered in Kyrgyzstan between April and July 2025. Developed by the Bulan Institute in partnership with the Kyrgyz State Technical University (KSTU), it is the first practical solar skills training program in the country. So far, we have trained 24 energy specialists, including technicians, engineers, and electricians from across Kyrgyzstan. Many of them are already applying their skills in their regions, helping to introduce solar energy solutions in rural areas.
We have a strong foundation already in place:
• A dedicated training programme on solar panel installation and maintenance, developed by the Bulan Institute and Kyrgyz State Technical University. This program combines academic knowledge with practical application, ensuring participants gain theoretical understanding, technical expertise, and hands-on experience.
• A fully equipped solar classroom at Kyrgyz State Technical University, established with support from SolarSpar.
• Access to professional laboratories and real solar installations at Kyrgyz State Technical University, used for both laboratory work and practical training.
• Experienced trainers and professors from the university and public and private energy companies.
Now, we’re ready to take the next step: train 60 more specialists, double our impact, and build a national network of qualified local solar professionals. This project doesn’t just support climate action—it also creates jobs, builds resilience, and delivers real, renewable energy solutions to communities that need them most.
From the beginning, we designed this initiative as more than just a training program. It is a comprehensive solar energy advancement project to build capacity, raise awareness, and drive clean energy adoption in different regions of the country. We began by conducting a national needs assessment to understand the gaps in knowledge, infrastructure, and capacity building. To ensure discussion, exchange, and policy alignment, on 19 May 2025, we organised a stakeholder consultation meeting in Bishkek, gathering representatives from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector.
The Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic has been supportive throughout this process, helping to guide the program in line with the country’s energy transition goals. In two trainings, 24 energy specialists were selected by the Ministry of Energy from public energy companies.
In addition to technical training, our broader objectives include:
• Raising public awareness about solar energy through campaigns and outreach;
• Producing knowledge products, such as manuals, handbooks, educational materials, and visual media;
• Advancing national dialogue on green jobs and energy resilience;
• Facilitating dialogue and exchange on green transition between Central Asian countries.
Our main goal is to develop a skilled local workforce capable of driving Kyrgyzstan’s clean energy transition from the ground up. However, building technical capacity must go hand in hand with raising public awareness and building dialogue. Our needs assessment clearly shows that Kyrgyzstan should prioritise off-grid solar installations to reach remote and underserved areas. That’s why this project also focuses on educating communities and local municipalities about the benefits and possibilities of solar energy. By spreading solar knowledge, we are creating pathways to employment, energy access, climate resilience, and sustainable development.
Hands-on Solar Training to Empower Communities Across Kyrgyzstan
This is the first practical solar skills training program in Kyrgyzstan. Despite the country’s high solar potential, there has never been a structured way to train energy professionals in this field—until now. Because the renewable energy composed only 1% of the energy mix of the country, and now it is changing with the new RE projects.
What makes this project unique is its hands-on, job-oriented approach. Participants don’t just sit in classrooms—they learn directly on solar equipment, practice installations, and receive mentorship from experienced engineers and university faculty.
We’re not only filling a critical skills gap—we’re also creating local climate leaders who return to their communities with the knowledge to install and maintain solar systems. That means clean energy, new job opportunities, and long-term sustainability.
Kyrgyzstan is facing the combined challenges of climate change, an ongoing energy crisis, and increasing demand for reliable energy—especially in rural and remote areas. The Kyrgyz government is actively accelerating the adoption of renewable energy, with several large- and medium-scale solar projects currently under construction. However, to accelerate the green transition, the country needs a skilled local workforce to install, maintain, and expand these technologies. By supporting this project, you will help us to develop practical solar skills, support the national clean energy transition, improve energy security, and help communities adapt to both environmental and economic pressures.
Participants of our second solar training during the practical session. 
We established a solar classroom equipped with solar panels, inverters, and computers.assroom equipped with solar panels, inventors, and computers. 
Certificates are awarded upon successful completion of theoretical and practical exams 
Your support will fund training, equipment, and training materials
We are raising CHF 32,000 to train the next group of 60 energy specialists in Kyrgyzstan. These funds will directly cover:
Training materials and toolkits and additional solar equipment.
Renovation of the solar classroom.
Transportation, food, and accommodation for participants from the regions.
Trainer fees and technical support.
Monitoring and impact reporting.
Every donation helps us expand access to clean energy, empower local professionals, and reduce climate vulnerability in Central Asia. With your support, we will build not only skills—but hope, resilience, and opportunity.
As part of the training, participants visited the rooftop solar plant at KSTU to observe firsthand how the system is installed, managed, and operated 
