The Liberia Electricity Regulatory Commission (LERC) has issued the country’s first Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Installer License, marking what authorities describe as a major milestone in strengthening safety, professionalism, and quality across Liberia’s rapidly expanding solar industry.
Presenting the certificate, the Chairman of the Board of Commissioners, Claude J. Katta, said the initiative represents a strategic intervention designed not only to protect consumers but also to professionalize the solar installation sector and ensure its long-term sustainability.
“We’re here to perform a strategic initiative that will not only protect consumers but also professionalize the solar industry and ensure sustainable, long-term growth,” Chairman Katta stated. “As the demand for solar PV systems accelerates, so does the critical need for a standardized, high-quality installation workforce. We can meet this need through the implementation of the LERC’s regulations for solar PV installers.”
Speaking on Friday, November 14, at the LERC head office, Chairman Katta highlighted that, while Liberia’s solar market continues to expand and stimulate economic activity, inconsistent installation quality remains a significant challenge. The lack of uniform standards, he said, has led to varying levels of expertise and heightened risks, including electrical fires, underperforming systems, and loss of public confidence.
“These risks not only threaten the safety of residents but also undermine trust in solar energy as a reliable power source,” he noted. “This licensing program shifts us from a reactive model to a proactive one—establishing a standard of excellence from the start.”
Chairman Katta emphasized that the licensing program should be viewed as an investment in the nation’s future. “It is a commitment to safety, a dedication to quality, and a strategy for growth,” he added.
Speaking during the ceremony, Deputy Minister for Energy, Charles Umehai, urged the licensee to uphold the professionalism and responsibility that the certification demands.
“This installer’s license should be a living license,” he said. “It shouldn’t be something you sit upon. When you go out there, people should know why this license was given to you. It carries a huge obligation because you have the full backing of the regulator and the Ministry of Mines and Energy. It would sadden us to hear that it has been transferred or misused.”
The Executive Director of the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), Samuel Nagbe, described the licensing milestone as critical in addressing capacity gaps within Liberia’s solar sector.
“One of the challenges we have is finding people with the right skills and competence,” Nagbe said. “When installation is not done by professionals, solar systems become hazardous. People lose their investments and properties, and this is a major concern to the RREA.”
Nagbe emphasized that solar energy will increasingly play a central role in Liberia’s power generation. He called for stronger collaboration among sector actors, and congratulated the first license recipient.
Receiving the inaugural Solar PV Installer License, Mark McCauley praised LERC for establishing a transparent and efficient certification process.
“There is transparency in the system,” McCauley said. “With my years of experience setting up solar plants across Liberia, I know safety remains a challenge in the field. This license will be used for its intended purpose.”
The issuance of the first license signals LERC’s commitment to raising industry standards and ensuring that Liberia’s transition to renewable energy is anchored in quality, safety, and professionalism.
