By Mark Gil Nuguit

Editor’s Note: Mark Gil Nuguit serves as ICSC’s RE-Charge Pilipinas Innovations Officer, based in the organization’s regional office in Tacloban City, Leyte. 

I was fortunate to be part of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities (ICSC) five-person Team that facilitated the Solar Scholars Training in Nadi, Fiji, last May, to teach 14 community leaders from Fiji, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu how to assemble, install, and maintain community solar photovoltaic systems (CSPVS).

I felt excited and nervous because it was my first time serving as a primary trainer in the Solar Scholars Training and my first time traveling outside the Philippines.

On the morning of May 25, we arrived at Nadi International Airport, where we were welcomed by George Nacewa, 350 Pacific’s Coordinator. As we traveled to our hotel, one of the first things I noticed was how similar Fiji was to the Philippines; its surroundings, houses, and climate were all quite familiar. After settling in, we immediately visited the sites where the CSPVS will be installed. The first site was the Fiji Council of Social Services (FCOSS) office in Lautoka, and the second was the Yavulo Village Learning Center in Sigatoka.

The first day of training began on May 26: The participants introduced themselves, their organizations, and the work they are doing. Before the training started, our Director for Community Resilience, Arturo Tahup, explained the importance of the training and the use of renewable energy—not only to gain knowledge about installing solar power systems, but also to reduce power rates, achieve energy security, address the worsening impacts of climate change and contribute to solving the global energy crisis.

Senior Innovations Officer Glinly Alvero then introduced participants to the tools and equipment used in PV system board assembly, as well as the functions of each component, before dividing the participants into two groups. While some participants were already familiar with PV systems, most had little to no experience, especially among women. However, everyone was eager to learn how to install and connect the components properly.

I noticed that Fijian women were accustomed to doing physically demanding work, and they actively jumped into the different assembly tasks. All of the participants seemed to enjoy the PV system assembly. 

During lunch, I wondered what kind of food would be served and what Fijian cuisine was like. To my surprise, many of the dishes were very similar to Filipino food.

The PV system assembly was completed on the second day of the training. After assembly, the participants learned the step-by-step process of testing the system before switching it on. They were delighted to see that the PV systems they had assembled worked successfully.

That evening, George invited us to drink Kava, Fiji’s national non-alcoholic beverage made from the roots of the Piper methysticum plant. Drinking Kava is more than simply having a beverage; there are rituals to be performed before and after drinking it. The gathering was enjoyable and made me feel as though I was still in the Philippines; the Fijians were very much like Filipinos—friendly, cheerful, and fond of sharing stories, laughter, and good company.

May 28 was the installation day of the PV system at the FCOSS office in Lautoka, more than an hour away from the hotel. FCOSS serves as a network hub, a disaster response center, and a relief coordination office. Because of its important role in the community, it was selected as a beneficiary of the PV system to help ensure that it can continue its operations during disasters.

The installation was a collaborative effort: some participants installed the solar panels on the roof, while others worked on the different components below. The installation took nearly four hours before the system was successfully tested and prepared for operation. The ICSC Team discussed proper load management with FCOSS leaders and explained how to use the system during emergencies, as well as how to protect it when severe weather conditions are expected.

On May 29, we installed the second PV system at the Yavulo Village Learning Center in Sigatoka, again traveling for more than an hour to reach the site. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by the village leaders, and George introduced the ICSC team to different members of the community.

Before proceeding to the learning center, we visited the Village Hall, where its leaders led a prayer for the day. The PV system installation here took nearly five hours, after which we trained the center’s staff, including the teachers, on proper system monitoring and operation.

After completing the installation, we returned to the Village Hall for another prayer ritual, after which we were offered Kava. During lunch, we also ate a dish made from taro leaves cooked in coconut milk, which Filipinos would recognize as similar to Laing.

Later that evening, together with the participants and the 350 Pacific team, we visited a restaurant managed by a Filipino. It was a wonderful opportunity to share food and culture with everyone, as we also shared experiences, knowledge, and insights. The gathering was enjoyable and meaningful.

The day of our return flight, we decided to explore Nadi Town before heading to the airport that evening. While visiting a shopping mall, we met a Fijian lady who could speak Tagalog. She told us Fijian women enjoyed watching Filipino television dramas—something that one of the training participants, Josaia, also confirmed.

Visiting Fiji and working with 350 Pacific Climate Warriors remains one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I am grateful and happy to have been given the chance to facilitate the Fiji Solar Scholars Training; though I have much to learn myself, it was an honor to share my knowledge of renewable energy technology with the Fijian people. I hope that we will have many more opportunities to visit communities and share our knowledge with others in the future.