TCL SunPower Gives Australia: Tackling the challenges of climate change and solar adoption in the Pacific

As part of the TCL SunPower Gives Donation Program, TCL SunPower Australia donated TCL Solar Back Contact (BC) modules to support the Pacific's first Sustainable Energy Training Centre at the University of the South Pacific TAFE (USP) in Suva, Fiji.

The donation reflects TCL SunPower Australia’s ongoing commitment to empower communities and organizations while supporting the adoption of renewable energy around the world.

Officially opened in August 2026, the Sustainable Energy Training Centre, is a facility designed to strengthen renewable energy education and workforce development across the Pacific region. With the collaboration of USP TAFE, the Sustainable Energy Industry Association of the Pacific Islands (SEIAPI), and industry partners, the centre is part of the long-term vision to boost energy resilience and renewable energy implementation.

Why the Pacific region needs to transition to renewable energy

We are on the frontline of climate change, and we understand perhaps better than most that sustainability is not simply an environmental issue, but it is an issue of livelihoods, economic security, food security and the future of our people.”  Hon Ro Filipe Tuisawau – Fiji Minister for Public Works, transport, meteorological services and energy.

The Pacific Island communities are among the most exposed to the impacts of climate change, most of the regions rely heavily on diesel to generate electricity and fuel transportation. With around 14.5 million people scattered across over 25 territories, supply already presents a logistical challenge, particularly for remote islands where it’s costly and difficult.

Global disruptions including the COVID-19 pandemic and fuel price crisis have further highlighted the vulnerability of the region’s reliance on fossil fuels, a power source that is both expensive and polluting. Renewable energy, particularly solar, offers an opportunity to strengthen energy security by enabling communities to generate electricity locally.

However, the transition is not just about deploying solar panels, it requires the right policy foundations as well as the institutional capacity and local expertise needed to install, operate and maintain these systems over the long term.

The training centre and its impact on the region

“Let this be a centre where knowledge becomes action, ideas become solutions, and training becomes opportunity.” Hon Ro Filipe Tuisawau – Fiji Minister for public works, transport, meteorological services and energy.

Geoff Stapleton, Executive Officer of SEIAPI and Director of International Training for GESES, has been developing this vision since 2010. Frustrated by the limited access to renewable energy training in the Pacific, the industry called for a local training facility. The idea originated with a paper developed by Stapleton and Herb Wade, the concept later gained the support of a philanthropic organisation in the United States, whose funding ultimately turned the vision into reality.

The technology behind the centre

TCL SunPower donated TCL Solar 460W Back Contact modules that are now powering the centre and a part of the facility’s hands-on training program.

For projects across the Pacific Islands, selecting equipment that can withstand demanding conditions is a critical consideration. Many systems are installed close to the coast, where exposure to salt mist, tropical storms and cyclones present demanding requirements for a solar panel.

“Some manufacturers don't provide warranty if the modules are installed 100m from the shore, which is not the case with you guys”

Armit Singh, General Manager and Director of CBS Power Solutions, highlights the importance of selecting manufacturers that can provide appropriate warranty coverage and ongoing support.

The Pacific has rigorous requirements for the performance and durability of the panels, SunPower and TCL Solar modules demonstrate how solar technology can be deployed in harsh environments while highlighting the importance of certified durability and warranty commitments to support the project’s lifespan.

Looking Ahead

With Pre-COP31 approaching in Fiji this October, the Sustainable Energy Training Centre arrives at an important time for the Pacific, the conference will amplify the regions voice and bring climate change actions and renewable energy adoption into a global conversation.

By supporting the centre, TCL SunPower is contributing to the wider momentum of driving a responsible energy transition, not just by deploying the technology but also building the knowledge, skills and partnerships needed to empower the next generation and ensuring renewable energy solutions are effective over the long term.

Once again, thank you to the University of the South Pacific, Geoff Stapleton, SEIAPI, and the wider industry for making this such a meaningful occasion and driving change towards a low carbon future.

"These partnerships demonstrate what can be achieved when government, education, industry, and development partners work together towards a common purpose." Mr. Siosiua Tuitalukua Tupou ʻUtoikamanu, Fiji Pro-Chancellor and Chair of Council, The University of the South Pacific