Catching the Sun: Aram’s Journey into Solar Energy

At 25, Aram Manukyan describes himself as someone who is curious and always ready to seize opportunities to learn and grow. After finishing school, he explored a wide range of fields at the Sisian State College, studying everything from dance and painting to woodworking and computer science. In his free time, he even enjoyed building miniature models of churches.

After learning about a free course on solar energy system installation, repair, and maintenance, Aram didn’t hesitate to apply.

The course was organized by the Fund for Armenian Relief in Sisian and Goris, as part of the “Workforce Development in Syunik for Sustainable Solar Energy” program, funded by the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation.

“I had seen solar panels and water heaters being installed in villages, and it always interested me,” Aram says. “I thought it would be a great way to learn something useful and find a good job later on.”

During the training, Aram gained a solid understanding of how small-scale solar systems are installed and maintained. He also learned how to assess a building’s energy needs and offer practical advice on improving energy efficiency. He believes there is strong demand for solar installations in sunny Syunik. Even when people don’t have much money, they still find a way to invest, knowing it will save them more in the long run.

The second, advanced phase of the course was carried out by Zenith Academy, providing top participants with hands-on experience and employment opportunities.

“I’m just getting started, but I can already see that this is a profitable field,” Aram says. “It’s something that can help me support a family, and at the same time, I’m learning something new every day and going deeper into the profession. Our instructor, Mr. Vagharshak, explained everything in such detail. It was so interesting that we would stay after class just to ask more questions.”

Aram has recently completed his internship at Freenergy company in Kapan and hopes to continue working there.

The “Workforce Development for Sustainable Energy in Syunik program”, funded by the H. Hovnanian Family Foundation, is implemented by the Fund for Armenian Relief. Launched in March 2025, the program supported 50 participants, 10 of whom are expected to enter the job market. Colleges in Goris and Sisian have also been equipped with new tools and demonstration systems, helping to introduce and strengthen this specialization for future students.