SolaRUV
Solarpreneur

Solarpreneur

Board of Director’s Message

Anthony Utomo

Managing Director PT Utomo Juragan Atap Surya Indonesia (Utomo SolaRUV)
Solarpreneur is a community empowerment program initiated by Utomo SolarUV to train Surabaya’s COVID-era volunteers in solar energy installation, business, and workforce readiness. By equipping them with hands-on technical skills and entrepreneurial knowledge, the program creates new green job opportunities and supports inclusive economic recovery.
Aligned with Indonesia’s net-zero emissions target by 2060, Solarpreneur contributes to accelerating residential solar adoption and building a skilled, community-based workforce to drive the clean energy transition from the ground up.

Solarpreneur has already impacted 67% of Surabaya’s COVID-era volunteers, empowering them with solar energy skills and green job opportunities. These individuals, once frontline community responders, are now trained to support Indonesia’s clean energy transition through technical roles, entrepreneurship, and local solar projects—transforming service into sustainable livelihoods.

The Solarpreneur program stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between community, industry, and government in driving a just and inclusive energy transition. By transforming Surabaya’s pandemic volunteers into skilled, green professionals, the program not only supports Indonesia’s net-zero vision but also builds resilient, empowered communities for the future.

Program Overview

Solarpreneur is a community-based capacity-building program initiated by Utomo SolarUV to empower Surabaya’s COVID-19 volunteers with practical skills and career pathways in the solar energy sector. Designed during the post-pandemic recovery period, the program transforms local volunteers into skilled solar technicians, entrepreneurs, and green workforce candidates, contributing to both social recovery and environmental sustainability.

Vision

To build an inclusive, community-driven green workforce that accelerates the transition to clean energy and supports Indonesia’s journey toward a sustainable, net-zero future.

Program Overview

To build an inclusive, community-driven green workforce that accelerates the transition to clean energy and supports Indonesia’s journey toward a sustainable, net-zero future.

  • Develop a skilled and certified workforce ready to support residential solar power adoption across Indonesia.
  • Foster green job creation by enabling participants to become solar technicians, resellers, and clean energy advocates.

Core values

Empowerement

We are committed to unlocking potential within local communities by providing access to knowledge, opportunity, and meaningful green careers.

Innovation

We embrace the latest solar technology and creative training methods to equip participants with future-ready skills and solutions.

Collaboration

We believe in the power of collective action—uniting communities, industry partners, and government to drive sustainable change and create lasting impact.

SDGs & Progress Tracking

The Solarpreneur program actively supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through community empowerment, clean energy adoption, and inclusive workforce development. Key SDG alignments include:

67%
Surabaya’s COVID volunteers have participated in Solarpreneur training.
58%
Participants had no prior technical background before joining.
30%
Participants are women—boosting diversity in a traditionally male-dominated field.
60%
Trained participants entered internship programs or job placements within 3 months of completing the course.
20+
Participants have become active solar resellers, building micro-businesses in their communities.
15%
Alumni are now part-time or full-time solar installation assistants for residential projects.
100%
Participants learned how solar PV technology supports Indonesia’s net-zero 2060 target
>30
Residential-scale systems supported by program graduates—each system can reduce an estimated 1–1.5 tons of CO₂ annually

External Cooperation

LONGi provides not only cutting-edge solar components but also expert support in training and technology transfer. Their engineers and product specialists contribute to the technical education modules, ensuring that participants receive the most up-to-date knowledge aligned with global industry standards.

Jinko Solar contributes by supplying high-quality solar modules and sharing technical expertise to enhance the training experience. Their support ensures that participants are educated with the latest developments in solar technology, system design, and real-world application standards.

Sungrow provides advanced equipment and technical expertise to support hands-on learning. Their engineers and product specialists contribute directly to the training modules, equipping participants with practical knowledge of inverter installation, system integration, and performance optimization.

Hoymiles contributes both cutting-edge products and technical training support, enabling participants to gain practical experience with microinverter-based residential solar systems. Their expertise helps trainees understand key aspects of modern system design, including safety, performance tracking, and energy management.

Stakeholder Element

To assess the quality and impact of the Solarpreneur program, we conducted a stakeholder engagement survey focusing on four key areas: the effectiveness of training materials, program output, clarity of business communication, and overall satisfaction. The results reflect valuable insights from our partners, trainers, and participants.

Private Sector/Industry Partners

LONGi, Jinko Solar, Sungrow, Hoymiles provided technical expertise and practical tools

Goverment

City government of Surabaya recognized the program and provided project opportunity

Academic & Training Institutions

Potential collaboration with university, polytechnic, and vocational school

Community/Civil Society

Surabaya COVID-19 volunteer community as trainees

Key Perfomance

2024 Year in Review

2024 marked a pivotal year for the Solarpreneur program—transforming momentum into measurable impact across Surabaya’s green workforce and energy transition efforts.

Number of Participant

Human Resources
Report

The Solarpreneur program demonstrated strong human resource impact, with 46% female and 54% male participation—highlighting growing gender diversity in the renewable energy sector. Participants also represented various backgrounds, including former volunteers, students, and underemployed youth. This inclusive approach strengthens the green workforce pipeline while promoting equal opportunity, skills development, and social equity in clean energy careers.

Documentation

Theory Session

Practical Session

Certification Process

Solarpreneur alumni work for Solar power plant in Balai Kota Surabaya

Accredited Certification & National Standard Integration

Collaborate with vocational training centers (BLK), SMKs, or the Ministry of Manpower to issue nationally recognized certifications, ensuring trainees meet labor market standards and have better access to formal employment in the solar sector.

Solarpreneur Business Incubator

Establish a dedicated business incubator to support alumni who want to become resellers, service providers, or green entrepreneurs—providing mentorship, micro-funding, and access to supply chains from brand partners (e.g., LONGi, Sungrow, Hoymiles).

Digital Learning Platform

Develop a hybrid or online training platform that includes video tutorials, interactive modules, and a learning management system (LMS), allowing broader reach beyond Surabaya to other cities and rural areas.

Women in Solar Initiative

Launch a targeted program to increase female participation, leadership, and visibility in the solar energy workforce—through scholarships, role models, and safe learning environments.

Regional Expansion Pilot

Replicate the Solarpreneur model in other high-potential regions such as Semarang, Bandung, or Makassar, with partnerships from local governments and energy stakeholders to decentralize impact.

Impact Monitoring & ESG Reporting System

Build a structured impact measurement framework tied to SDGs and ESG metrics (e.g., green jobs created, CO₂ saved, diversity index), to track progress and attract long-term private sector and donor support.