With the ShinE project, we aimed to optimize professional development by imparting up-to-date, practical knowledge on solar installation and integration. Our goal was to equip students with the skills needed to meet today's challenges in the renewable energy sector. By developing a digital learning platform, we sought to make high-quality educational content on solar technologies accessible to all learners. Furthermore, we aimed to strengthen the link between companies, their needs, and students. The project emphasizes the importance of in-depth knowledge in technology, sales, and system integration, essential for training the skilled professionals the market demands. Due to the framework conditions, that some companies in the photovoltaic market do have training courses and some crafts branches do not have adjusted educational and training materials, the team wanted to initiate a wider exchange along the value chain from the planning, designing to the installation, operation and maintenance of the systems. This cooperation also targeted to seek methods to overcome the internationally inhomogenious market situation of the stakeholders in the EU - PV-Market.
We initiated the ShinE project in response to the growing demand for education in clean energy and the noticeable gap in modern training resources within vocational education, specifically related to solar power systems. As climate change continues to pose a serious global threat, it is essential to equip young people with skills in energy efficiency, sustainability, and digital innovation. This project seeks to update and enhance vocational education and training (VET) by incorporating specialized knowledge on the upkeep and troubleshooting of solar energy systems into educational programs. In doing so, it actively contributes to the goals set out in the EU Green Deal. Due to the increasing complexity of photovolatic systems, which are more and more part of decentralized energy managment, battery storage, building heating and automation systems and e-vehicle charging infrastructure it is evident, that different crafts, guilds and industries must work together. This cross-crafts and -trade cooperation must be addressed in an VET-educational system.