Innovative Solar Site Visit Sets Tone for Training Pathway Engagement

‍GWO has just undertaken the first member visit to a solar site following the introduction of the Global Solar Training Standards to the industry in 2025. Led by GWO Training Project Managers Thomas Redmond and Peter Wiingaard, the visit reflects GWO’s close collaboration with members to ensure that training pathways for solar and technical training standards remain aligned with operational needs.

A State-of-the-Art Solar Site

Situated in the Guadalajara Province nearby the Spanish capital, Casa Valdez was commissioned in 2022, featuring 97,740 bifacial modules of double-sided glass. This modular structure of this 44-megawatt (MWac) farm allows the absorption of solar radiation on both sides of the module, maximising the amount of energy that can be harnessed.

GWO representatives were hosted by the RWE Casa Valdez team who illustrated the challenges and innovative solutions deployed to build, operate and maintain the project. RWE HSE teams also travelled to site to share lessons from wider regional and global operations. During the visit, RES Group teams were visible on site to support operations, illustrating the complex collaboration required to maintain projects at this scale.

The insights from this meeting will directly inform the continued development and delivery of the Global Solar Training Standards, ensuring that they sustain a benchmark of consistent and high-quality training for solar employers and technicians across the industry.

Supporting Employers to Scale Solar

Julie Brown, Head of Training Development at GWO, commented: 

As the solar industry continues to grow fast, it is critical that safety stays up to speed. With demand for a skilled solar workforce increasing exponentially, the Global Solar Training Standards are designed to support employers, enabling them to reduce risk, improve workforce competence and create opportunities for skilling new talent. Visiting operational sites like Casa Valdez allows us to ensure those standards are grounded in the realities our members face every day.

Tim Hillsdon, Head of HS&E Onshore: Wind, Solar, PV & Storage (Europe & APAC) at RWE Renewables, added:

As a global leader in renewable energy, RWE’s commissioning of the Casa Valdes solar farm reflects our continual contribution towards achieving Spain’s climate targets. As a GWO member, we recognise the importance of global training standards and the great opportunity the new Global Solar Training Standards offer in providing a standardised pathway for employers to hire, train and certify solar technicians to the highest level of competency on every site.

Your Role in the Roll-Out of Solar Training

The Global Solar Training Standards focus on addressing key risks in solar operations through structured, standardised training that supports hazard awareness, safe working practices, and technical competence. By building on GWO’s long-standing experience in establishing training pathways for the wind industry, these standards aim to contribute to a measurable improvement in safety performance across the solar sector while remaining industry-led and driven by employers’ needs.

GWO encourages members to actively shape the future of solar training by participating in the GWO Solar Training Committee. Member involvement is essential to ensuring the standards remain relevant and reflective of industry needs.

Members interested in contributing are invited to contact Julie Brown, Head of Training Development at GWO, to learn more about joining the committee and supporting the ongoing development of solar safety and technical training.