Every year, the Solar Games electrify the exhibition hall with an energetic, head-to-head competition among the North American installation at the flagship event of Intersolar & Energy Storage North America (IESNA). However, the true power of this unique tournament goes far beyond the arena. Thanks to a long -term partnership with the non -profit organization Twend Solar and the generosity of solar play sponsors, a large part of the devices used in the solar games for the worldwide communities are taught in need of clean and reliable energy.
Twend solar in action: lighting of the path in Ethiopia
One of the most recent Twende projects Solar took place at the Wogagen School “First Light of the Day” in Burrhan, Ethiopia. In cooperation with the Community Project: Ethiopia installed Twend Solar in Wogagen, the country's first public K-12 school, an 8 kW solar energy system of 8 kW. The system completed in 2024 now has important educational instruments such as computers, projectors, microscopes and evening courses.
The most important functions of the project include:
· Reliable, clean energy that replaced the crazy diesel generators and reduced emissions
· Improved learning with access to modern tools and resources
· Community empowerment through a sustainable campus with a brick factory, a farm, a bamboo kindergarten and a future community center
The project was a collaboration between the local leadership and the Ethiopian Ministry of Education. The three Ethiopian specialists trained by Twend in Oregon now help to maintain the system and clarify others to ensure long -term effects.
“Our vision is based on an old African saying:” If you want to travel quickly, go alone. If you want to travel far, go together. ” – the community project
About the solar games
The Solar Games is the first Live Solar + Storage installer competition in the industry, which takes place annually in the Expo Hall of the Iesna flagship. The three-day tournament with several rounds combines elite installation teams that compete for the construction of complete roof solar and storage systems.
How it works:
· Install teams on the roof in a tailor -made arena with real devices that you may never have used before.
· Each round is assessed based on the installation quality, safety, efficiency, speed and more.
· The teams must be OSHA 10 certified, with at least one member of the NABCEP certified or a licensed electrician.
· The winning team takes 10,000 US dollars and fame to become crowned solar game champions.
It is an exciting and urgent competition, which is partly sporting events, partly professional professional ground.
“It is an intensive experience: hundreds of people who watch them from all perspectives run with the clock and 10,000 US dollars in the line; work with devices that we have never seen before, and judges watch every step and take notes while they work.” – David Getschel, director of electrical operations at All Energy Solar and 2023 & 2024 competitors
From the arena to the field: equipment gets a second life
As soon as the last round and the crowd is clear, new work begins. The devices used in the solar games, including modules, inverters, racking, batteries and more, will receive a second life through Twende Solar and transform temporary installations into long -term solutions for sub -supplied communities.
Since 2010, Twende Solar has made renewable energy systems available:
· Medical clinics in the Democratic Republic of Congo
· Clean water systems in Haiti
· Distance schools in Mexico, Tanzania and Nicaragua
· Indigenous communities in the USA
“This event offers our company the opportunity to achieve and promote new Rolls battery products in competition and at the same time to do the required device donations for twendy solar.”
– Jeff Myles, Marketing Manager, Rolls Battery Engineering
Behind the scenes with Twende Solar & 2025 Solar Games Champions, Huston Solar Tune in this Special Podcast episode, took live in the hub during the IESNA 2025 to find out the knowledge of Twende Solar Executive Director, Robin Swanhuyser and this year's Solar Times Champions, Huston Solar, Huston Solar, Hoston Solar, Hoston Solar, Hoston Solar, Hoston, Hoston Solar.
In this open conversation it is examined:
· How it is to compete in the Solar Games Arena
· How donated equipment in communities like Chole Village finds a second life
· Why solar installers, sponsors and non -profit organizations gather on this initiative
Participate
Visit the links below to find out how you can offer the global well.
Support
Apply for the 2026 Solar Games · Submit an application for the competition
Note: The teams may receive up to $ 2,500 for travel support after the event.
See the effect
Take a look at the video from Twende Solar to learn more about how Solar Games devices are implemented worldwide.