Solar Innovators Research Fellowship

Strengthening Africa’s Solar Manufacturing Through Applied Research

To manufacture solar panels locally, Africa must first train researchers who can build and improve them.

Solar manufacturing starts with research that understands Africa’s climate, materials, and markets.

Africa imports solar panels, yet without local R&D talent, its manufacturing ambitions remain dependent and fragile.

The Fellowship Experience

The Solar Innovators Research Fellowship (SIRF), a program of Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI), is a four-month research fellowship designed to equip early-career African researchers with advanced photovoltaic (PV) R&D skills. Fellows engage in structured coursework and applied research linked to real manufacturing case studies, building the technical capacity needed to support local solar panel production across Africa.

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Strengthening Africa’s capacity for local solar research, manufacturing and innovation

Our Vision

A robust African solar R&D ecosystem capable of designing, testing, and improving PV technologies for local manufacturing and long-term energy resilience.

Our Mission

To train and connect African researchers who can translate scientific research into practical insights that strengthen solar manufacturing capacity across the continent.

The Problem We Solve

Africa hosts roughly 60% of the world’s strongest solar resources yet continues to rely heavily on imported PV modules.

Many solar products entering African markets are not designed for local climate conditions or durability.

Africa’s solar policies increasingly support local manufacturing, but the research capacity required to sustain it remains limited.

Without strong photovoltaic research ecosystems, local solar manufacturing struggles to scale.

Our Solution

Design for African conditions

We support applied research that produces solar products tuned for local climates and durability.

Build local R&D capacity

We train early career researchers and engineers in manufacturable research methods, lab protocols and scale-aware design so local teams can develop and sustain advanced PV know-how.

Translate research into production

Through technical mentorship, partner testing and the research-to-demonstration pathway, SIRF moves validated ideas into prototype assembly and factory trials so manufacturers can adopt them quickly.

Scale competitive domestic manufacturing

We connect research outputs with manufacturers, policy makers and funders to reduce import dependence and grow resilient local solar supply chains.

Programs & Benefits

Training

SIRF delivers advanced, research-driven training in photovoltaics (PV) and renewable energy systems with a focus on Africa’s manufacturing and R&D needs. The program equips fellows with:

Training is designed to strengthen Africa-based research capacity and support locally relevant, high-impact innovation.

Mentorship

SIRF provides structured mentorship linking fellows with experienced researchers and industry experts. Mentorship supports:

This model helps build the next generation of African scientific leaders in clean energy.

Research Access

SIRF facilitates access to the tools and instructional resources necessary for rigorous PV research in Africa. This includes:

The objective is to reduce resource gaps and strengthen technical excellence across African institutions.

Industry Exposure

SIRF connects fellows with renewable energy stakeholders operating in Africa. Opportunities include:

This ensures research remains aligned with real industrial and policy challenges.

Research-to-Demonstration Pathway

As part of the WOCEWA-supported capacity initiative, feasible insights from SIRF research may inform a limited demonstration at the RETTI Solar Factory. This will involve a small pilot batch of locally assembled panels where applicable recommendations are documented. The demonstration is a separate, physical training activity delivered later in the year and is intended for learning and documentation.

Recognition & Network

Our Partners

The Solar Innovators Research Fellowship is an education and research programme run by the Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute with support from the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) and in partnership with academic institutions and private sector companies.

PARTNER WITH US

SIRF is delivered by the Renewable Energy Technology Training Institute (RETTI) with support from the WOCEWA (Women and Clean Energy in West Africa) small grant framework, a program of ECOWAS implemented by ECREEE.

This support strengthens SIRF’s mission to advance women-led clean energy enterprises and research-driven solar manufacturing capacity in West Africa.

SIRF forms part of a broader renewable energy capacity-building framework supported under the WOCEWA initiative. While SIRF delivers virtual research training across Africa, a separate Solar Panel Assembly Training program will provide hands-on solar assembly training to 20 Nigerian women in Lagos.

Selected practical insights from SIRF research may inform aspects of the demonstration assembly process. Both initiatives contribute to strengthening local solar manufacturing capacity.