Competencies Needed by Electrical/Electronic Technology Education Graduates for Installation of Solar Energy Systems for Sustainable Self-Employment in Enugu State

The main purpose of this study was to determine the installation competencies needed by electrical/electronics technology education graduates for installation of solar energy systems for sustainable self-employment in Enugu State. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were developed to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The study population was 91 comprised 73 graduate solar practitioners installing and maintaining solar system and 18 electrical/electronics technology education lecturers in public universities in Enugu State. There was no sampling as the entire population was studied. The instrument for data collection was a 31-item structured questionnaire divided in three sub-categories based on the research questions that was made for the study. The questionnaire items were structured in four-point rating scale. The questionnaire was validated by experts, while the reliability of the instrument yielded 0.78 using Cronbach Alpha. Out of 91 copies of questionnaire distributed 80 copies were properly filled and returned giving 87.91% return rate. The data collected were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and t-test statistics. Based on the results of data analysis, the study found that theoretical competencies, practical skills and entrepreneurial competencies were needed by electrical/electronics technology education graduates for installation of solar energy systems for sustainable self-employment in Enugu State. Based on the findings, knowledge of solar panel assembly, ability to understand electrical systems, ensuring correct mounting of solar panels with accessories, performing maintenance tasks such as measurement, setting appropriate business goals and determining what customers need are needed for installation of solar energy for sustainable self-employment in Enugu State. Recommendations were made among which include; government and relevant bodies should adopt the identified competencies in preparing the students for self-employment in solar system installation and technology educators should utilize relevant materials in developing the students’ competencies in solar systems installation and maintenance.