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

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 Mon 08 May 2017 | view

SOLTRAIN hands over demonstration trailer to University of Botswana

The handing-over ceremony of a solar trailer to the University of Botswana’s Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC) took place in early March at the university’s Conference Centre. The 25,000.00 EURO trailer was donated to the institution by SOLTRAIN. During the ceremony, the keys to the trailer were handed over by Mr Rudi Moschik from AEE-INTEC to Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs, Professor Martin M. Mokgwathi.

Botswana | Published Wed 26 Apr 2017 | view

Installation of Monitoring Equipment at South African Solar Demonstration Systems

Four SOLTRAIN demonstration solar thermal systems in South Africa are currently being monitored with equipment that was installed between July and August 2016 . These include the Huis Horison system, a residential and sheltered-employment centre located in Stellenbosch and the SACS Rosedale Hostel, located in Cape Town in the Western Cape. Two systems in the Gauteng region have also been fitted with monitoring equipment. These are the Zuid-Afrikaans Hospital system and the Monte Vista Housing Units system, located in Pretoria and Harteespoort, respectively.

South Africa | Published Wed 26 Apr 2017 | view

SOLTRAIN Presence at African Energy Indaba

The Africa Energy Indaba is an annual conference that engages in discussions and seeks solutions to enable adequate energy generation across the continent, and which covers the renewable and non-renewable sectors. The conference took place in February at the Sandton Convention Centre.

South Africa | Published Wed 26 Apr 2017 | view

Concrete steps towards implementation of the Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap

The Permanent Secretary in the Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy, Mr. Simeon Negumbo, has expressed his appreciation and gratitude for initiatives such as the Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN), which is viewed as one of the best strategies for the implementation of the Cabinet Directive of 2007 on solar water heaters, and is looking forward to the Roadmap Implementation Plan which is in line with national programmes. He said this while addressing the solar thermal technologies stakeholders in Windhoek, on 20 October, 2016.

Namibia | Published Tue 13 Dec 2016 | view

First Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap meeting held

Lesotho’s first Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap meeting was held during the second week of October at the Avani Lesotho Hotel in Maseru. Although only 26 of expected 40 participants attended, the gathering consisted of a diverse set of stakeholders in the renewable energy and allied fields, including solar companies, the Department of Energy, Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA), research and academic institutions, sponsors and others.

Lesotho | Published Tue 13 Dec 2016 | view

Third South African Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap workshop held in Cape Town

The third workshop in a series aimed at furthering the implementation of the South African Solar Thermal Technology Roadmap (SA-STTRM) was held in Cape Town at the end of October. This builds on outcomes of the second implementation workshop earlier in the year where a lack of focus on technology awareness, understanding and marketing solar thermal technologies were identified as shortcomings in the sector.

South Africa | Published Tue 13 Dec 2016 | view

Specialised course on solar heat for industrial applications a success

A specialised course for a restricted number of experts was held in Stellenbosch in early November, giving insight into state-of-the-art design, simulation, planning and installation of advanced high quality solar thermal (ST) systems for industrial applications in Southern Africa.

South Africa | Published Tue 13 Dec 2016 | view

SOLTRAIN study visit to the Cape Brewing Company

Forty delegates from the SOLTRAIN course on Solar Heat for Industrial Applications were treated to a tour of the solar thermal process heating system at Cape Brewing Company, Paarl in early November.

South Africa | Published Tue 13 Dec 2016 | view

Renewable energy for industrial heat in the agri-processing

WWF-SA together with GreenCape and the Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) at Stellenbosch University hosted a very successful workshop aimed at gaining a better understanding of the potential of solar energy in the agri-processing industry. The workshop was held at the STAIS Wallenberg Centre in Stellenbosch in mid-November.

South Africa | Published Tue 13 Dec 2016 | view

SOLTRAIN puts in a good showing at a high level, international solar conference

The “Solar Technologies & Hybrid Mini Grids to Improve Energy Access” conference recently took place in Bad Hersfeld, Germany in the latter part of September.

Global | Published Thu 20 Oct 2016 | view

BBCDC takes SOLTRAIN awareness campaign to the next level

SOLTRAIN’s Lesotho partner, Bethel Business and Community Development Centre (BBCDC), has embarked on a number of initiatives aimed at elevating the awareness of SOLTRAIN 3 and solar thermal in general.

Lesotho | Published Thu 20 Oct 2016 | view

2nd SOLTRAIN III workshop emphasises implementation strategies for solar thermal

One of SOLTRAIN’s South African partners, SANEDI, recently hosted their second workshop as part of SOLTRAIN phase III in Pretoria in mid-September.

South Africa | Published Wed 19 Oct 2016 | view

Solar Thermal Technology Initiative yields positive results at mass housing project in Namibia

The Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN) project’s objectives include the strengthening of the relationship between the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) and the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) in the implementation of the 2007 cabinet directive instructing that solar hot water heaters be installed in government buildings, and supporting NamPower’s electricity demand side management efforts. In an effort to develop a flagship site for the SOLTRAIN project in Windhoek that can be used as a showcase for promotion of solar hot water among policymakers and project financers, the project has facilitated the installation of 62 solar water heaters at low cost houses in Windhoek’s Otjomuise. This has been a collaborative effort led by the Namibia Energy Institute at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), together with the MME and the NHE.

Namibia | Published Fri 12 Aug 2016 | view

SOLTRAIN welcomes new Project Partner from Botswana

The Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC) is one of six strategic research centres at the University of Botswana. It was established to advance research, education, and advocacy for clean energy and energy efficiency. To fulfil its mandate, CERC relies on strategic collaborations with the faculties at the University, with Government ministries and departments, the local industry, and most importantly with regional and international partners/researchers. The work and commitment of staff at the CERC is project-driven. When a project like SOLTRAIN unfolds, the CERC coordinates the mobilisation of staff participants to the project, from the diverse expertise existing in the University faculties.

Botswana | Published Fri 12 Aug 2016 | view

SOLTRAIN - Phase 2 successfully completed

The comprehensive work program of phase 2 of SOLTRAIN was implemented from November 2012 until February 2016. All goals were met, and several were surpassed. This is the result of the excellent co-operation of all involved project partners and the solar thermal industry of southern Africa. In total, more than 1200 people were trained in solar thermal technology and 127 solar thermal demonstration systems were installed. With these systems, 522 tons of CO2 emissions are avoided annually and the avoided electricity cost is ZAR 3.5 million.

Global | Published Fri 12 Aug 2016 | view

South Africa: SOLTRAIN 3 conducts first workshop

On the 17th May 2016, SANEDI hosted the rst workshop of SOLTRAIN 3 at the Innovation Hub in Pretoria, South Africa. The aim of the workshop was to stimulate a brainstorming session to discuss collaborative coordination, and constructive contributions for the solar thermal sector in South Africa. It included a review of the progress to date and future plans of the SOLTRAIN programme, a look at the solar thermal sector requirements in terms of technology, regulatory framework/ policy and standards (current and future), and an overview of the Solar Thermal Technology Platform (STTP) activities and coordination thus far.

South Africa | Published Fri 12 Aug 2016 | view

SOLTRAIN Highlights in 2016

In January BBCDC conducted a one week course on solar energy technology and utilisation for a group of eight individuals sponsored by the Malealea Development Trust in Lesotho. It was a general introduction to solar energy and included physics, current economics, solar geometry and applications. The group installed a small PV system during the week, built a solar oven, fabricated and installed a solar chimney for ventilation, and built a flat plate water heating collector. The course was hands on and included many workshop activities.

Lesotho | Published Fri 05 Aug 2016 | view

Cape Brewing Company

South Africa | Published Fri 05 Aug 2016 | view