In a collaborative effort to expand access to clean energy and education, U.S.-based solar manufacturer Sol-Ark has partnered with Twende Solar and The Community Project: Ethiopia to bring reliable electricity to Wogagen School in Debre Birhan, Ethiopia. Sol-Ark provided the solar inverter systems that now power the country’s first public K–12 STEM academy.
Located over 9,000 feet above sea level in Ethiopia’s highlands, Wogagen School—meaning “The First Light of the Day”—serves 280 students and their teachers with consistent, clean electricity for the first time. With this power, classrooms can now use projectors, computers, lab equipment, and vocational tools. The school has the capacity to expand and serve over 1,000 students in the future, marking a significant step toward educational equity in the region.
The impact of the solar system extends beyond the school day. Evening electricity makes it possible to host after-hours programs for more than 4,000 residents of nearby Chole Village. In an area affected by energy insecurity and civil unrest, the new solar infrastructure offers a source of stability and support.
As part of the project, 16 instructors from local polytechnic colleges are participating in on-site training led by Ethiopian engineer Gizaw Tilaye. This “Training of Trainers” initiative uses Sol-Ark inverters and Rolls Battery systems to provide hands-on experience in solar installation and maintenance. These instructors will return to their communities to teach the next generation of solar technicians.
The project was developed with guidance from local leaders, including village elders, the mayor, and Ethiopia’s Ministry of Education, ensuring long-term sustainability and community ownership. Additional support came from equipment donations by Rolls Battery Engineering and Heliene.
Wogagen School is now a hub of innovation, featuring not only classrooms powered by solar energy but also compost toilets, a bamboo nursery, a community farm, and a brick-making facility. The solar system replaces a diesel generator, reducing fuel dependence and creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for the community.
