Victron Energy training in the Republic of Benin

Education and training are key to understanding and installing Victron Energy products. Usually this involves training Victron Energy distributors and dealers, but in the Republic of Benin they have taken this one step further by providing education and training within the general populous. This is particularly relevant in Benin where solar systems play a key role in the country’s energy needs.

Teaching the teachers

What better place to start then – than with teachers themselves. In fact Axel Mathieu Foadey and Jules Yao Gnagbolou of NGCom Services, based in Cotonou, have done just this. Whilst NGCom Services is primarily an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) company, the ICT sector is also a driving force in both economic development and wider social change.

The headline image above shows Axel & Jules training teachers at a technical vocational school and the image below shows them carrying out hands-on solar system training for secondary school physics teachers. Once you’ve trained the teachers it is not long before classes full of students understand off-grid solar/battery/inverter systems.

Beyond training

As more people are trained, the level of understanding and the ability to install and manage a system improves.

In the first place it might be something as simple as safely handling and transporting Victron OPzS Batteries as shown below.

Other key skills are battery maintenance. Below technicians demonstrate refilling OPzS batteries with distilled water.

Once trained a professional Victron installer can carry out system commissioning.

Conclusion

No matter where and how Victron Energy products are used in the world, it is clear that education and training are key to professionally installed and managed systems. In the Republic of Benin, Axel Mathieu Foadey and Jules Yao Gnagbolou of NGCom Services are instrumental in doing just that, right at a grass roots level – long may they continue to provide this valuable service. We applaud them for this initiative.

John Rushworth

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Justin Tyers • 28 March 2025

Electricity comes to remote communities in N America

In countries as well-developed as the USA, there is an assumption that everyone in every location enjoys similar utilities and modern conveniences. Not so. Let’s meet the team behind a programme to bring electricity to remote dwellers of the Navajo Nation around Arizona and Colorado in North America. Navajo Nation tribe member Camille Keith is passionate about sustainable technology, and also in bringing the advantages of it to her tribe: Yáʼátʼééh Greetings, Hello Yeii Tachinii nishłí, Tábą́ąha báshíshchíín, Todichiinii dashicheii, Honaghaani dashinálí; I am a tribal member of the Navajo Nation. “I am a first-generation non-traditional graduate from Fort Lewis College (FLC) in Durango, Colorado holding a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering majoring in Energy and Certification in Geographic Information Systems. Camille with (l-r) Austin Betty and Harry Barlow “I co-lead the FLC’s Village Aid Solar Initiative – a student-led organisation which focuses on partnering with Native American communities to provide residential off-grid solar energy for families in need. Navajo Tradition “I grew up living a remote lifestyle on the Navajo Nation, in a small tribal community called Shą́ą́’tóhí which means “Sunshine Springs” – in English it is known as Shonto. It’s located in Northern Arizona. “We lacked access to basic needs and housing, electricity or running water. Each day we hauled or gathered our resources: water, firewood, food, essentials. We did not have access to fresh produce at times because we did not have a refrigerator. In the spring we planted corn, beans and squash in our fields in Shonto canyon. At harvest we made traditional foods to provide fresh, healthy meals for our families. We feared getting ill or being injured because the nearest hospital was more than an hour away.” As I grew older I began to question why so many Navajo families endure high rates of diabetes, heart disease, mental illness and substance disorders? I began to understand the contributing factors: living in poverty, lack of access to electricity, water, healthcare, food insecurity, poor housing infrastructure and other detrimental environmental factors all affect our health. These realisations sparked my interest and passion in bringing sustainable energy to my nation. Victron Ambassador Because of her passion and enthusiasm to learn about the advantages and convenience our products can bring to off-grid communities, Camille accepted an offer to join the Victron Ambassador team. Her work includes demonstrating how to build residential solar power installations to those for whom the technology is entirely new. Training Days In order to set high standards, and to maximise reliability and safety, a series of Training Days have been organised during which tribal members, as well as College Students – tomorrow’s engineers – get hands on learning. The training days are organised by Victron’s N. America Event Manager Saul Charlesworth who coordinates training programmes, trade shows, ‘vanlife’ gatherings, the annual Distributor Meeting – as well as these hands-on trainings. He says: Training and education is very important to Victron. Our products are feature-rich, and attendees learn about product-applications as well as the correct installation procedures. In the case of the training in Durango, Colorado, we had a number of engineering students – who are the future – as well as members of the Navajo Nation who have received a power system for their home. They were keen to learn how to operate, maintain and get the most out of the Victron components included in their system. This training aligned with an annual ‘Ambassador Weekend’ where our team of North American Ambassadors come together, along with some Victron staff, to share ideas and look ahead to plan the coming year. Consequently there was an immense amount of experience, knowledge and skill on hand! Victron team setting up. FLC Village Aid Solar Initiative hosted the Victron Ambassador weekend training for off-grid PV. It was an opportunity for FLC students, staff and community members to learn how to wire inverters; testing; configuration; commissioning and to discover the remote monitoring features of internet based platform Victron Remote Management . Electricity – for the first time Out of the 68,100 residential homes on the Navajo Nation, approximately 14,000 still do not have access to electricity – affecting about 45,000 Navajo (Diné) people. Camille says: I graduated in 2022 and the following year was given the opportunity to help establish the Village Aid Project – Solar Initiative which I now co-lead. Partnering with Native American communities we provide renewable energy access for families in need. These off-grid PV residential solar systems range from 1.5 – 2.3 kW. They provide power for refrigeration, lighting, charging appliances, boiling water, cooking with electric stoves, running medical equipment and internet access. Most families are beyond grateful to receive their off-grid solar systems. It’s such an impactful experience to hear and see the changes it makes for the families we’ve served. Speaking in Navajo, power recipient Mable Wardlaw says: Mable Wardlaw (l) Camille Keith (r) “ The grandmas long ago used to say to me, whenever you get help, with relation and respect, you thank everyone who has helped you. I express my relations to you all as my grandchildren and sincerely thank you for your efforts in helping me. I buy many batteries for my flashlight because they burn out quickly. I also buy food from the grocery store, but the fresh food goes bad quickly. I can now buy food, and it won’t go bad quickly and I can light up my home now. Thank you all, my children, for traveling this far to help me. I am very thankful that now I can light up my home and have a refrigerator to store my food. ” Curtis Greyeyes says: “ Seeing electricity come alive for the first time in my home was really ecstatic to see. I’m very grateful. ” And Betty John, who is a Community Health Representative says: “ A lot of our people as you know are diabetic, and their medication must be kept refrigerated. They now get to buy fresh food and meat too because now they have refrigeration. They also get to charge their hearing aids and have outside lighting ”. Off-grid power systems The systems built during training were designed to be simple, easy to deploy, reliable and low maintenance for off-grid use. Along with all necessary cabling, fuses and accessories, each system included: MultiPlus 24/3000/70-50 120V VE.Bus VE Panel 3kVA 120/240 NA Primary 24/48VDC Among other versatile uses, the VE Panel simplifies wiring during assembly, includes input/output breakers, and makes for a really neat power installation when installed ‘on view’ in the home. SmartSolar MPPT 250/100-Tr VE.Can Ekrano GX SmartShunt 500A /50mV VE.Bus BMS V2 LiFePO4 Battery 25,6V/200Ah Smart-a A balanced and sustainable world Camille says: I joined the Victron Ambassador team because it aligns with my passion and vision of helping make the world ‘hozhó (balanced) through sustainable energy. The team also allows me to build relationships and partnerships with technical experts, installers & communities throughout the world. Ambassadors Jen Nummi (left) and Camille Keith (right) Being a Victron ambassador also shapes me to be a leader and provides professional growth; knowledge sharing, and expands my thinking skills. My grandparents, family and community elders prayed and visioned my path to be a leader for my people and it is such a great feeling to experience that their prayers are heard. I have been provided many great opportunities to help my people and the world overcome challenges.

Justin Tyers • 22 October 2024

Solar Training in Fiji

There are a lot of solar installers in Fiji. Across the country’s 300 hundred islands, spread over half a million square miles – of which 98% is water – demand for solar energy system in far flung habitations and enterprises has to be met by local installers. Victron distributor Solar Fiji wanted to improve the skill base of the country’s solar installers – allowing them to specify and build correctly-sized installations, professionally. Reducing errors results in happier customers and fewer warranty enquiries. Solar Fiji recognised that the solution was to host a two day training event which was provided by Australia based Ciaram Granger of MyEnergy Engineering. About 60 technicians from companies across the nation attended the event in which the training was structured in a two-way dialogue format – with attendees encouraged to ask questions at any time. The session focused on Victron Energy programming, functionality, the breadth of possible applications, and was held at Fiji Solar’s base in Nasinu, Fiji. Solar Fiji Business Manager Ayshna Radri says: “ The technicians who attended the training purchase Victron products from us but handle their own installations. The primary challenge they faced was in the configuration and wiring of the systems, particularly for 3-phase and parallel systems – but also single-phase setups. This training was aimed at improving their understanding of these aspects, and reducing potential issues during installation. The training also focused on remote monitoring access – a really important service in our location. Ciaram provided a detailed explanation of all the functionalities of Victron Remote Management ( VRM ).” Victron Remote Management allows engineers to access systems remotely. It allows detailed analysis of data – just as if you were on site – but even better than that it will notify engineers of problems – such as an alarm status – automatically …even before the customer is aware of it. Ayshna says: “ We had great feedback from the attendees who had undertaken journeys from Viti Levu (Central – Suva, Lami; Western – Lautoka, Nadi) and Vanua Levu – Labasa to get here. “It was a win-win, for us: the training session empowers technicians; informs them of the capabilities of Victron Energy devices, and will lead to increased sales – plus we were able to provide a great Fijian experience and develop closer ties with Ciaram Granger – our main distributor and service provider! We hope to do this on an annual basis. We plan to upload the training video to our YouTube channel after making a few necessary edits.” You can follow Solar Fiji on their Facebook page. The headline image is by Christian Haugen

Justin Tyers • 02 March 2021

Victron Training in a cabinet ESS / Off Grid / 3Phase

Victron Ambassador Markus Pauritsch has come up with a neat and portable way to carry out Victron training for 3-Phase ESS and Off-Grid systems. He’s built a stylish, fully operational cabinet for training sessions in his native Austria – beginning as soon as health restrictions allow. Markus’ 3Phase cabinet and Dr. Who’s Tardis share a common feature – they both pack a lot of futuristic technology into a small space. The cabinet looks so exciting – with its imaginative lighting, fronted by a GX Touch 50 on the glass door – that delegates will be itching to find out what’s happening inside! So what is happening on the inside? Packed into the case there’s a 9000VA 3-phase ESS system including 10kW/h battery storage: 3 MultiPlus-II 48/3000/35-32 1 SmartSolar MPPT 150/45-Tr A Cerbo GX A GX Touch 50 A Fronius Symo 3.0-3- M An Energy meter EM24 – 3 phase – max. 64A/phase 2 LiFePO4 Batteries 25,6V/200Ah smart. A VE.Bus BMS An Orion-Tr 48/12-9A (110W) A Smart BatteryProtect 48V-100A A Battery Monitor BMV-712 Smart together with all necessary Fuses, cables and Busbars. The fully functioning cabinet is designed to work like this: 5.1kWp solar modules feed both the Fronius Inverter and the SmartSolar MPPT. Four AC powered fans mounted in the cabinet-roof provide ventilation and control internal temperature. Excess PV power can be used for water heating using 48V DC immersion heaters. The 48V-100A Smart BatteryProtect will turn the water heating elements on/off, so there’s no risk of melting relay contacts. The cabinet is fitted with RGB LED downlighting. A Wi-Fi enabled controller operates the LED strips – and a neat enhancement is that it is possible to change lighting colours according to system conditions (State of Charge; warnings and alarms, etc.) via Node-RED. Markus Pauritsch became a Victron Ambassador a year ago. His enthusiasm for our products was spotted through his regular contributions to our Community pages – offering advice to others and showing great technical competence. As an ambassador he visits potential customers; trains installers on the job; he has supported Leo Yntema – Victron Sales Manager for Austria, Switzerland, Belgium and Luxembourg – with training carried out at the Fronius HQ; and he commissions systems for distributors. His extensive IT experience allows him to take on higher-level Modbus questions; and later this year, he will work with Leo conducting advanced training courses with this purpose-built cabinet in Austria and Switzerland. This second-level training will be offered to distributors and installers who already possess some knowledge of AC- and or DC-coupled solar systems – allowing them to become more familiar with the set-up and configuration of such systems. The default setup of the 3-Phase AC and DC coupled cabinet is as an ESS, but it can easily reconfigured to an Off-Grid system. The planned training includes sessions on: Power Calculation; System configuration; Tips and tricks regarding cable calculations; and Troubleshooting, etc. When not in use for training, Markus employs the cabinet installation in his own house! This ESS system cabinet is already built and operational, and will be available for Victron training as soon as the lifting of current health restrictions allows. Markus Pauritsch shows us the GX Touch 50 which provides at-a-glance system information and access to settings of his 3-phase training cabinet. If you live or work in Austria or Switzerland and you think you can benefit from this kind of training, keep an eye on our Training page – it is here you will find details of all face-to-face and webinar training as soon as it becomes available.

Justin Tyers • 15 October 2026

Webinar Invitation: Putting Surplus Solar to Work

Join us on November 6th at 14:00 CET for the second joint webinar hosted by Shelly and Victron Energy to get a deeper understanding of smarter energy management. In the previous Shelly/Victron webinar we learned about energy measurement, surplus solar, and self-consumption. Episode Two builds on that to explore how Victron Energy data can be used to drive coordinated actions across Shelly control, sensing, visualisation, and protection solutions. Webinar hosts Lucian Popescu (Victron Energy) and Orlin Dimitrov (Shelly) will demonstrate how the two ecosystems work together to manage and prioritise GX Opportunity Loads while maintaining manual control and safe fallback behaviour. Discussion Programme The programme includes: Introduction to the Shelly and Victron Energy teams New Victron Venus OS v3.80 and GX capabilities, and support for more Shelly products Bluetooth improvements: using Shelly devices as a bluetooth range extender Opportunity Loads control with Victron Energy, Shelly, and other products Visualization and local control with Shelly Wall Display XL Circuit-level and environmental use cases with Shelly Pro CB and Shelly Weather Station Live demonstration Live Q&A What you will learn During the presentation you will learn: How Victron GX information can trigger Shelly devices; How to use Shelly devices as a bluetooth range extender; How different Shelly products support control, sensing, visualisation, and protection within an energy-management system; How to control and prioritize GX Opportunity Loads while preserving manual control and safe fallback behaviour; How the demonstrated Victron and Shelly system is structured, and How the partnership creates practical value for installers and customers. Who is it for? This information will be invaluable to PV installers using Victron devices, programmers, Electricians, Energy Consultants, Industry Professionals and DIYers interested in load automation. Registration You can register for the event right now. If you are unable to join us on the day, register anyway , and we’ll send you the recording so you can catch up later. Presenters: Lucian Popescu – Victron Energy Guy Stewart – Victron Energy Orlin Dimitrov – Shelly Shenay Okan – Shelly Privacy information This event will be recorded and shared publicly with Shelly/Victron customers, partners, employees and service providers. The recording may include your name and any questions you submit to Q&A session. By registering for the event you agree to the Privacy Policy. We look forward to seeing you!

Victron Energy training in the Republic of Benin

Teaching the teachers

Beyond training

Conclusion

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