SOLTRAIN at African Utility Week

The 18th annual  African  Utility  Week hosted 6 411 attendees over 3 days from 84 countries and 300 exhibitors from 30 different countries. The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) was one of the exhibitors for the 2018 African Utility week showcasing various projects implemented through SANEDI, including the SOLTRAIN programme.

South Africa | Published 2 years, 5 months ago | view

University of Zimbabwe re-launches Master of Science Renewable Energy

First launched in 1996 and then suspended, University of Zimbabwe’s Faculty of Engineering has relaunched its Master of Science Renewable Energy (MRE).

Zimbabwe | Published 2 years, 5 months ago | view

Workshop expansion for BBCDC’s new solar thermal venture

In order to create income and ensure future sustainability, the Bethal Business and Community Development Centre (BBCDC), with funding and support from SOLTRAIN, has established a solar thermal company in Mohale’s Hoek and has extended its existing workshop.

Lesotho | Published 2 years, 5 months ago | view

Solar Thermal Technology Platform will present challenges, but CERC and stakeholders are up to the task

The Botswana Solar Thermal Technology Platform (BSTTP) Meeting, held at the end of May, aimed to pave way for the implementation of the Botswana Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap (BSTTR) which was formulated through the SOLTRAIN project. For this meeting, various stakeholders from different establishments, led by the Department of Energy (DoE), convened to deliberate on how best to achieve the huge tasks which lie ahead as part of the roadmap.

Botswana | Published 2 years, 5 months ago | view

SOLTRAIN at International Conference on Solar Power Systems

The Namibia Energy Institute presented recent Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN) activities and promoted solar thermal energy at the International Conference on Solar Power Systems for Namibia (SPSN18) organized by the University of Namibia (UNAM), earlier this year.

Namibia | Published 2 years, 5 months ago | view

SOLTRAIN’s cumulative carbon & cost-savings impact quantified

The installation of solar thermal demonstration projects is an important part of the SOLTRAIN programme’s activities. On the one hand, the installations allow the SOLTRAIN community to apply knowledge gained during the training courses, and on the other hand, to show and demonstrate different solar thermal applications from small-scale systems for single family houses to large-scale systems in industrial applications.

Global | Published 2 years, 8 months ago | view

Clean Energy Research Centre hosts successful SOLTRAIN conference

University of Botswana’s Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC) hosted a successful SOLTRAIN Conference at the University of Botswana (UB) Conference Centre in Gaborone in early February. The event included tours of solar thermal installations in the Gaborone.

Botswana | Published 2 years, 8 months ago | view

BBCDC

In December, BBCDC put up a large advertising sign in Mohales Hoek at the site of BBCDC’s solar energy  sales  operation. The  sign  is just next to the main southern highway and enhances the exposure of SOLTRAIN and our solar energy products and services. We call it a ‘Green Lantern’.

Lesotho | Published 2 years, 8 months ago | view

SOLTRAIN-funded project takes the prize in Kazakhstan

The National University of Lesotho (NUL) solar thermal project funded by SOLTRAIN made headlines in Astana, Kazakhstan, where it was awarded first prize in the category “Future Energy.”

Lesotho | Published 2 years, 8 months ago | view

Research underway comparing solar thermal vs. solar PV for water heating

The Namibia Energy Institute (NEI), at the Namibia University of Science and Technology together with AEE-INTEC, have installed the first photovoltaic water heater (PWH) in Namibia using a special DC/AC element for heating the water. The installation is for research purposes under the SOLTRAIN project.

Namibia | Published 2 years, 8 months ago | view

SOLTRAIN

Botswana’s first solar thermal system subsidized by SOLTRAIN was commissioned in February this year. SOLTRAIN’s partner in Botswana, the Centre for Clean Energy Research, University of Botswana, actively guided and supported the project through the phases from inception to installation and commissioning. The beneficiary of the project is Mara-u-Pula Secondary School, which is a premium Senior Secondary School located in the proximity of Gaborone Central Business District.

Botswana | Published 2 years, 8 months ago | view

SOLTRAIN ended 2017 on a high note

SOLTRAIN ran a technical tour late last year and invited representatives from solar companies, academic institutions, the public sector and those who had previously attended SOLTRAIN training sessions to participate.

Lesotho | Published 2 years, 8 months ago | view

How do we implement Solar Thermal Technologies in a Techo- Economically feasible way in South Africa?

The SOLTRAIN project aims to tackle water heating energy needs and create opportunities through addressing the solar water heating sector across six partner countries in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), namely, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, through training, awareness raising, performance monitoring and demonstration systems.

South Africa | Published 2 years, 8 months ago | view

Specialised training course on Solar Heat for industrial applications

A specialised course for a restricted number of experts was held in Stellenbosch at the end of November, giving insight into state-of-the-art design, simulation, planning and installation of advanced high quality solar thermal systems for industrial applications in Southern Africa. The training course was carried out in co-operation with SOLTRAIN and the Solar Academy of the IEA Solar Heating and Cooling Programme, and was hosted and organized by the SOLTRAIN project partner, CRSES, from Stellenbosch University.

South Africa | Published 2 years, 11 months ago | view

Interview with Helvi Ileka from the Namibia Energy Institute

Namibia is southern Africa´s front runner in terms of solar energy. Solar could provide energy security for the country which currently depends heavily on fuel imports. This includes power and water heating for homes, but also heat for the food and mining industry and desalination of water.

Namibia | Published 2 years, 11 months ago | view

BBCDC Awarded Emirates Energy Award

On Oct. 24, Stephen Lelimo and Ivan Yaholnitsky accepted an Emirates Energy Award in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on behalf of Bethel Business and Community Development Centre (BBCDC). BBCDC was recognized in the category of Education and Capacity Building and received a cash prize of 21,780 USD and Certificate.

Lesotho | Published 2 years, 11 months ago | view

SOLTRAIN Supports Schools Climate Change Education and Awareness Campaign Fair

The National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe’s SOLTRAIN partner, exhibited at the Schools Climate Change Education and Awareness Campaign Fair under the theme Change the Mind, Not the Climate at Hillside Junior Primary School, Bulawayo in the latter part of November. Other organisations present were the Zimbabwe Climate Change Coalition, Edgars, and various primary and secondary schools.

Zimbabwe | Published 2 years, 11 months ago | view

Solar Bakery Information Exchange

Under the Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN), partners are expected to transfer technology and exchange information. Namibia Energy Institute (NEI) in collaboration Lesotho’s Bethel Business and Community Development Center (BBCDC) demonstrated a solar bakery at the Windhoek Industrial and Agricultural Show (WIAS) at the beginning of October. The parabolic oven was transported from Lesotho and was on display for the whole week, with the main objective being to raise awareness from bakery entrepreneurs in the country in order for those who are interested in the solar baking to submit proposals for co-financing under the SOLTRAIN project as demonstration systems.

Namibia | Published 2 years, 11 months ago | view

Solar Innovation at BBCDC

Bethel Business and Community Development Centre (BBCDC) updates us on some solar innovations that they have recently undertaken relating to a new collector manifold for an aging solar water heating system and, a heat exchanger design.

Lesotho | Published 2 years, 11 months ago | view

SWH and PV system installed at Mariendahl

The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) at Stellenbosch University undertook a project to install two solarpowered, water-heating systems at the Mariendahl farm. Mariendahl serves as Stellenbosch University’s experimental farm and is located approximately 14km north of Stellenbosch.

South Africa | Published 3 years ago | view

Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap (BSTTR) and Implementation Plan launch

The Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC) of the University of Botswana (UB) recently launched the Botswana Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap (BSTTR) along with its implementation plan, a key output of the Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN) programme.

Botswana | Published 3 years ago | view

Representatives of ADA visit Maputo

The new Counsellor and Head of Cooperation of the Austrian Embassy in Mozambique, Mr Hubert Neuwirth, visited the Faculty of Engineering of the Eduardo Mondlane University (FEUEM) in late November in order to get acquainted with the SOLTRAIN activities in Mozambique. After the briefing at FEUEM and after being shown the SOLTRAIN demonstration trailer, Mr. Neuwirth was pleased to visit one of the SOLTRAIN I demonstration systems installed at Ndlavela, a health centre within 7 km of Maputo's peri-urban area.

Mozambique | Published 3 years ago | view

Hospital solar water heating systems technical tour

The National University of Science and Technology, Zimbabwe’s SOLTRAIN partner, and the Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers – Matebeleland Chapter, co-hosted a solar water heating systems technical tour to United Bulawayo public Hospital (UBH) and Mater Dei private Hospital in Bulawayo in mid November.

Zimbabwe | Published 3 years ago | view

A tribute to Dr. Anton Schwarzlmueller in Zimbabwe

This month’s submission to the Soltrain Newsletter from BBCDC, pays tribute to the work of Dr. Anton Schwarzlmueller in Zimbabwe. One of the great achievements of the SOLTRAIN program is the sharing of ideas and cross fertilization of experience. At one of the first presentations of SOLTRAIN II in Lesotho, Werner Weiss introduced some of the low cost institutional systems that were built by Tony and his team in Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe | Published 3 years, 2 months ago | view

Key Stakeholders commit to implement the Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap (Nam-STTR) Implementation Plan at the Final Stakeholder Workshop

The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), through the Namibia Energy Institute (NEI), organised the Final Stakeholder Workshop on the Implementation Plan of the Namibia Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap (Nam-STTR) under the Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN Project) in collaboration with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME). The workshop took place in late June at the NUST hotel school.

Namibia | Published 3 years, 2 months ago | view

Solar thermal theoretical and practical workshop for high-school teachers and students at Mahlothova Secondary School, Umguza, Bulawayo

The National University of Science and Technology SOLTRAIN team continued with their schools outreach programme aimed at creating awareness about solar thermal technology and applications. This time the destination was Mahlothova Secondary School, located in Umguza District 45 km from Bulawayo on the Victoria Falls Highway. This was the team’s first visit to a school outside Bulawayo thanks to Gawain Badcock who volunteered to tow the Mobile Solar Training Unit, accompanied by Sam Stroupe, a student from Texas Tech University.

Zimbabwe | Published 3 years, 2 months ago | view

SOLTRAIN Project Trailer on display at the Gaborone International Consumer Trade Fair

The Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC), in partnership with the Department of Energy (DoE) under the Ministry of Minerals Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security (MMGE), embarked on a public awareness campaign at the Gaborone International Consumer Trade Fair in late August.

Botswana | Published 3 years, 2 months ago | view

First Collector manufactured in Namibia by the participants of Train the Trainer Courses carried out under SOLTRAIN II

Colleagues from the Windhoek Vocational Training Centre attended the Final Stakeholder Workshop on the Implementation Plan of the Namibian Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap to present the first locally manufactured solar collector. Many of these individuals attended the Train the Trainer courses for professionals carried out previously under SOLTRAIN II. The aim of these courses was to increase the knowledge of professionals on solar thermal systems and to be able to design, build and install such systems.

Namibia | Published 3 years, 2 months ago | view

First SOLTRAIN project dissemination training course held at the University of Botswana

The Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC), ran a successful first dissemination training course in early August. Participants included twenty Ministry of Basic Education technicians resulting in representation from at least two officials for every district in the country.

Botswana | Published 3 years, 3 months ago | view

Second training course on installation of thermosyphon solar water heating systems

The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) and SOLTRAIN hosted another round of solar water heating system installer training in Bulawayo in early July. Aimed at improving the quality of installations in Zimbabwe, this was the second round of training, with the first having been conducted in Harare at roughly the same time the previous year.The training was conducted by Rudi Moschik from AEE INTEC alongside Eng. Samson Mhlanga from NUST.

Zimbabwe | Published 3 years, 3 months ago | view

New Report from WWFSA: Industrial scale solar heat in SA

WWF-SA recently published a technical report exploring the barriers and potential for the uptake of solar thermal energy in South Africa in the agri-processing and textile industries. Staff at the Centre for Renewable And Sustainainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch University, one of the South African SOLTRAIN partners, co-authored the report.

South Africa | Published 3 years, 3 months ago | view

Stellenbosch University presents benefits of solar thermal projects to metal finishing industry

The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies at Stellenbosch University (CRSES) attended the South African Metal Finishing Association (SAMFA) annual general meetings in June. CRSES was represented by Angelo Buckley and the opportunity was used to present and discuss the potential for large-scale applications of solar thermal technologies in the metal finishing industry and to introduce the SOLTRAIN initiative, aimed at driving and funding large-scale solar thermal demonstration systems in South Africa. One of the meetings was also attended by Peter Klein from the CSIR, who presented on the Solar Payback Project and provided insight into the benefits it offers.

South Africa | Published 3 years, 3 months ago | view

A tribute to Dr. Anton Schwarzlmueller in Zimbabwe

This month’s submission to the Soltrain Newsletter from BBCDC, pays tribute to the work of Dr. Anton Schwarzlmueller in Zimbabwe. One of the great achievements of the SOLTRAIN program is the sharing of ideas and cross fertilization of experience. At one of the first presentations of SOLTRAIN II in Lesotho, Werner Weiss introduced some of the low cost institutional systems that were built by Tony and his team in Zimbabwe.

Lesotho | Published 3 years, 3 months ago | view

Solar thermal theoretical and practical workshop for high-school teachers and students at Mahlothova Secondary School, Umguza, Bulawayo

Zimbabwe | Published 3 years, 3 months ago | view

SOLTRAIN Project Trailer on display at the Gaborone International Consumer Trade Fair

The Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC), in partnership with the Department of Energy (DoE) under the Ministry of Minerals Resources, Green Technology and Energy Security (MMGE), embarked on a public awareness campaign at the Gaborone International Consumer Trade Fair in late August.

Botswana | Published 3 years, 3 months ago | view

Werner Weiss hands over bursary to Anna Amupolo of Namibia University of Science and Technology

Werner Weiss handed over a SOLTRAIN student bursary to Anna Amupolo of Namibia University of Science and Technology on the 30th of June, 2017.

Namibia | Published 3 years, 6 months ago | view

Bursaries for Masters Students Working on Solar Thermal Projects

To support the aims of the SOLTRAIN project in the partner countries Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and to motivate students at universities to do their masters thesis in the field of solar thermal, four students have been awarded bursaries to facilitate their research. The bursary supports travel costs to visit another institution in Southern Africa for further study or experimental work, equipment to conduct experiments to support the research and running cost of experimental work or further studies.

Global | Published 3 years, 6 months ago | view

SOLTRAIN Demonstration Systems at Malealea Lodge and Pony Trekking Centre

Malealea Lodge is a 55 room lodge with bar,dining room, recreational hall and thrivingtourism business. It is located about 75km from Maseru in the Mafeteng District and hosts approximately 5 000 visitors per year. There are 28 permanent staff, 12 temporary, 15 pony trekking guides, 30 horse owners, and 15 hiking guides working as commercial community partners. The contribution of the Lodge to the local community is immense.

Lesotho | Published 3 years, 6 months ago | view

Data monitoring and analysis

SOLTRAIN has financed monitoring equipment that is now installed at four of the 62 houses equipped with solar water heating systems (SWH), and at two houses meeting their hot water requirements through electric geysers. The low cost houses low cost were constructed by the National Housing Enterprises (NHE), in Otjomuise, Windhoek. Additional monitoring equipment has also been installed at a residential house in Dorado Park and at Joe’s Beer house.

Namibia | Published 3 years, 6 months ago | view

SOLTRAIN updates

SOLTRAIN Lesotho has provided updates on recent activities, including the 3rd SOLTRAIN Lesotho Roadmap Meeting, Quality Inspector training and further developments regarding its parabolic solar bread baking technology.

Lesotho | Published 3 years, 8 months ago | view