4 educational webinars for teenagers in local communities: Introduction to Renewable Energy

People, especially teenagers, feel vulnerable due to the lack of access to electricity and internet. Solar energy can provide confidence because it does not depend on electrical grid. To help them learn and understand how Ukraine’s energy system and solar energy work, the RePower Ukraine Charitable Foundation organized lectures on these topics. The unique value of these lectures lies in the fact that they were held in 4 communities where the Foundation has already installed solar power plants on hospitals. This reassures children that in these critical moments, there will be light!

Overview:

Lectures were held in frontline communities: Sosnytsia and Mena (Chernihiv region), Konotop (Sumy region), Slobozhanska (Kharkiv region). These are the same communities where the RePower Ukraine Charitable Foundation have already installed a solar power plant.

Challenges:

• Schools do not provide much information about renewable energy sources, with even less attention directed towards solar energy;
• Children are worried about electricity shortages;
• At this age, teenagers from their positions and plans for their future profession and mostly do not consider their future in the solar energy sector.

Solutions:

• Teach children how the energy system and solar, in particular hybrid, power plants work and involve them in a discussion on the topic;
• Teach them how solar plants help hospitals, schools and other important institutions work even in difficult times;
• Build trust in solar energy, because it is our energy independence, and to inspire the future to connect with solar energy.

Results:

• Those who were interested in the topic of renewable energy sources (RES) came to the lecture;
• They learnt how the energy system works, in particular renewable energy sources, and how hybrid power plants are a real breakthrough in modern energy. In addition, they engaged with the lecturer on topics they were interested in.
• Children learned how solar stations support the work of hospitals, schools and other important institutions, and also how RES preserve the environment.
• Children understood that renewable energy sources are our energy independence.

We thank our partners Gore Street Energy Storage Fund and BayWa r.e. for the financial support. You help make the contribution of solar energy to people’s well-being visible and support their mental wellbeing!