The Switch is raising funds to support their mission to educate the next generation of solar experts. Created by skilled artisans at the Harlinger Pottery and Tile Factory using techniques dating back to 1598, these unique tiles pay homage to Dutch craftsmanship. They represent the contributions of artisans such as blacksmiths, sailors, tailors and carpenters who have shaped the Netherlands. All proceeds from the sale go directly towards training and certifying new talent within The Switch team.

We are thrilled to share the Empowers Impact Report of 2023 with you. This report highlights our dedication, in collaboration with our partners, to drive positive change and our continuous efforts. Our commitment to empowerment remains at the core of all our endeavors, whether it involves training installers, implementing non-profit solar projects, or providing children with STEM education. We believe that together, we can work towards a greener tomorrow.

Last November, team Esdec raised money to fulfill the wish of Sjors, a 10-year-old boy, for a special day. With generous support from friends, family, business partners, and numerous well-wishers, the challenge collected many contributions. In a touching display of compassion and generosity, Make A Wish organized an unforgettable day for Sjors, a boy with dreams as big as his heart.

Hilko, an avid winter sports enthusiast, found new purpose guiding disabled skiers on a trip organized by the Association of Disabled Winter Sports Enthusiasts (VGW). Joining a team of 60 volunteers, including ski instructors and equipment handlers, he dedicated his Empower Hours to support this meaningful cause. Inspired by his mother’s involvement with VGW, Hilko contributed his Empower Hours to provide disabled skiers with an unforgettable winter sports vacation.

To bring the world solar, sooner, we need every member of our team to be a part of our mission. That’s why we’re introducing Empower Hours, an Enstall Empowers initiative for our employees to make a meaningful difference beyond their daily roles. Empower Hours provide dedicated time for our team members to step away from their regular tasks and volunteer at non-profits or charities.

It was an unforgettable day where Jealey was able to feel and be treated like a true princess. Jealey was picked up in a limo,
rode on a Unicorn, decorated the cake (and ate it of course), had lunch in a castle, and had a special dinner with her family.

We have scored 1500 out of 1500 points in the United States for our SEIA DEIJ certification module on “supporting community organizations that support diversity” due to the work of Empowers.

We’re thrilled to share that Enstall has been honored with the prestigious 2023 World-Class Workplace Award, recognizing our commitment to employee engagement. This award reflects our dedication to creating a positive work culture where every team member feels valued and supported.

The Sustainability Hub, operating from St. Agatha Catholic Church, is training individuals in solar panel installation. Led by A.J. Patton, this program aims to graduate 10,000 skilled workers, offering steady employment and environmental benefits. Funded by Summit Ridge Energy, it targets underserved communities.

Community Work Services, Apex Technical School, and Power52 Clean Energy Access Institute, in partnership with The Fedcap Group, introduce the Clean Energy Institute. This 450-hour solar training program includes digital skills, financial literacy, and hands-on solar installation. Graduates earn six college credits from Paul Smith’s College, paving the way for further education. The initiative, funded by the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Commonwealth Corporation, and National Grid Foundation, sets a precedent for similar projects in underserved communities, meeting the growing demand for sustainable energy solutions.

One and a half years after Empowers was founded, we are ready to show the world what we have accomplished.

Elementary school children are engaging in various “technical games” from the Cool TECH Box. They have come up with three innovative solutions to address the shortage of personnel in the field of technology.

A new project for technology in elementary schools has been introduced: the Cool TECH Box. The creator, Anja Lutz, was disappointed by the low number of children opting for technology, prompting her to initiate a social project aimed at raising awareness of technology among elementary school students.

Empowers invited Wolfpack Robotics (FRC Team 3859) to judge a competition. After long deliberation, the Wolfpack Robotics team was ready to announce the winner of the Empowers Summer Contest.

We have scored 500 out of 500 points in the United States for our SEIA DEIJ certification module on “supporting community organizations that support diversity” due to the work of Empowers.

The former Shell laboratory at Overhoeksplein, once veiled in secrecy, has transformed into A Lab—a thriving hub where 300 innovative and socially-conscious creative enterprises collaborate. Lucas Hendricks, the visionary behind this initiative, aims to create diverse connections within the rapidly developing district. A Lab has been a fixture on Overhoeksplein since 2013, evolving into a central player as the neighborhood developed. A Lab connects Amsterdam North by housing businesses dedicated to serving locals and Amsterdam residents, including IMC Weekendschool and Massih Hutak. Bouw Woon Leef recently visited A Lab’s The Switch, a company training the unemployed, migrants, and refugees to become solar panel installers.

How do you deal with the shortage of people on the labor market? Solar Magazine discusses this dilemma with Seyit Yeyden, managing partner of the Professional Garden. “The pond is bigger than most PV installers think.”

The switch-flipping ceremony celebrated the completion of a 300-kilowatt solar panel installation at Isaac Dickson Elementary School, courtesy of Green Built Alliance’s Appalachian Offsets program. The project, six years in the making, is set to save the school over $30,000 annually in energy costs, benefiting school programs. The event held personal significance for Leigha Dickens, a former board member turned staff, as her husband attended the school as a child, making it a special family moment. It’s also a reminder that even seemingly impractical childhood dreams, like eco-friendly school designs, can become a reality, ushering in a more sustainable future.

In Loon op Zand, 30 solar panels were installed on a flat roof. What makes this project unique is that these panels now grace the roof of a home for 8 future residents with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities. The Open Door Foundation plays a crucial role in ensuring the well-being of these residents by providing essential care and support. This remarkable initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Open Door Foundation, Esdec Distribution, Trina Solar, and SolarEdge. Trina Solar supplied the panels in partnership with ESTG, while SolarEdge provided the inverters.

To achieve the energy transition, we still need many hands who can install solar panels, among other things.

We are short of people in the technology sector. Esdec, an Enstall company, is a supplier of mounting systems for solar panels in Deventer, among others. In this podcast, Vera Vos Vice-President Strategic Marketing and Communication at Enstall, and Maarten Waalkens account manager at Konnected will talk about this subject.