SOLTRAIN news
Malealea Lodge: Building on solar thermal successes
In 2016, Bethel Business Community and Development Centre (BBCDC) installed five 150 litre solar water heaters as a pilot project at Malealea Lodge. After monitoring and evaluating the project for 6 months, a decision was taken by the lodge to install another five systems in 2017, again with BBCDC’S help.
Lesotho | Published Mon 30 Jul 2018 | view
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 Mon 30 Jul 2018 | 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 Mon 30 Jul 2018 | 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 Mon 30 Jul 2018 | 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 Mon 30 Jul 2018 | 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 Mon 30 Jul 2018 | 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 Mon 07 May 2018 | 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 Mon 07 May 2018 | 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 Mon 07 May 2018 | 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 Mon 07 May 2018 | 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 Mon 07 May 2018 | 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 Mon 07 May 2018 | 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 Mon 07 May 2018 | 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 Mon 07 May 2018 | 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 Wed 31 Jan 2018 | 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 Mon 29 Jan 2018 | 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 Mon 29 Jan 2018 | 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 Mon 29 Jan 2018 | 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 Mon 29 Jan 2018 | 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 Mon 29 Jan 2018 | 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 Sat 20 Jan 2018 | 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 Sat 20 Jan 2018 | 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 Sat 20 Jan 2018 | 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 Sat 20 Jan 2018 | 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 Fri 03 Nov 2017 | 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 Fri 03 Nov 2017 | 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 Fri 03 Nov 2017 | 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 Fri 03 Nov 2017 | 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 Fri 03 Nov 2017 | 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 Fri 20 Oct 2017 | 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 Thu 19 Oct 2017 | 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 Thu 19 Oct 2017 | 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 Thu 19 Oct 2017 | 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 Thu 19 Oct 2017 | view
Solar thermal theoretical and practical workshop for high-school teachers and students at Mahlothova Secondary School, Umguza, Bulawayo
Zimbabwe | Published Thu 19 Oct 2017 | 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 Thu 19 Oct 2017 | 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 Fri 21 Jul 2017 | 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 Mon 10 Jul 2017 | 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 Mon 10 Jul 2017 | 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 Mon 10 Jul 2017 | view
