Botswana Defence Force to collaborate with SOLTRAIN

Submitted by Kevin Nwaigwe and Okatoseng Masoso
Published 3 years, 6 months ago

The Director-General Support Services, Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Major General M. M. Seikano has promised to collaborate with the Botswana SOLTRAIN team on installing pilot solar water heating systems in various camps and barracks of the Botswana Defence Force. He made this promise during an information workshop organised by the Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC), University of Botswana. As a follow-up, the BDF and CERC also set up a joint project implementation task team mandated with realising this objective.

BDF officers visiting the SOLTRAIN solar trailer

The workshop had over 22 top military officers of BDF in attendance and a SOLTRAIN team comprising the two project partners in Botswana – Clean Energy Research Centre, University of Botswana and Solar Industries Association of Botswana (SIAB). Major General Seikano noted that the BDF expends significant resources to provide hot water to its soldiers, and therefore welcomed the opportunity to collaborate with SOLTRAIN in harnessing solar energy for this purpose.

Earlier in his speech, the leader of the SOLTRAIN delegation, Dr Olefile Molwane, Deputy Dean Faculty of Engineering and Technology University of Botswana, reiterated the existing cooperation between the University of Botswana and Botswana Defence Force. He noted that the visit is a further step towards deepening existing relations and finding common ground that can benefit BDF, particularly in the use of renewable energy.

In his presentation, the Botswana SOLTRAIN project Manager, Prof Kevin N. Nwaigwe, outlined the existing SOLTRAIN programme for the installation of demonstration projects. He informed the military officials of the possibilities of collaboration in the installation of solar thermal systems which could receive a subsidy of up to 50% under the SOLTRAIN programme, funded by the Austrian Development Agency. He also emphasized the need to act speedily before the conclusion of the fourth phase of the programme at the end of 2022. The BDF officers also had the opportunity to get clarification on various areas of interest pertaining to the SOLTRAIN subsidy.

Following a decision by the BDF command to participate in the demonstration project, a follow-up meeting was held at BDF Village in early December where project sites were identified. Visits were also paid to existing installations within Gaborone, including Maruapula School and Avani hotel. The BDF and UB CERC have also set up a joint project implementation team to ensure the actualisation of the project. This follows the approval of the Commander of the Botswana Defence Force Headquarters.

This promising collaboration has the potential to significantly reduce energy costs for the BDF as well as contribute to its greening efforts.

Participants during presentation by Prof K. N. Nwaigwe
SOLTRAIN+ Bursary – Call closed by end of July 2025

SOLTRAIN+ Bursary – Call closed by end of July 2025

We would like to announce that the rolling call for the next awarding of the SOLTRAIN+ bursary will be closed …

6 days, 21 hours ago

Monika Spörk-Dür

SADC Utilisation Training Workshop on Solar Systems and Components - Lilongwe, Malawi

SADC Utilisation Training Workshop on Solar Systems and Components - Lilongwe, Malawi

The first SOLTRAIN+ SADC Utilisation Training Workshop for Experts and Professionals was successfully held from 07–08 April 2025 in Lilongwe, …

6 days, 21 hours ago

Selma Festus

Accelerating Energy Security in Southern Africa: Key Highlights from the 2024 SADC Sustainable Energy Week

Accelerating Energy Security in Southern Africa: Key Highlights from the 2024 SADC Sustainable Energy Week

The SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE), in collaboration with Botswana’s Ministry of Minerals and Energy and …

6 days, 21 hours ago

Selma Festus

The 8th SOLTRAIN+ Conference in Botswana – A Resounding Success

The 8th SOLTRAIN+ Conference in Botswana – A Resounding Success

The 8th SOLTRAIN+ conference, hosted by the Clean Energy Research Centre University of Botswana, a memory gathering of enthusiastic energy …

6 days, 21 hours ago

Kevin Nwaigwe

Training on Solar Heat for Industrial Processes in Harare, Zimbabwe and CAFCA Technical Tour

Training on Solar Heat for Industrial Processes in Harare, Zimbabwe and CAFCA Technical Tour

A specialized training course for experts and professionals entitled Solar Heat for Industrial Processes (SHIP) for Industry & Commerce was …

6 days, 21 hours ago

Samson Mhlanga

Joint SOLTRAIN+ / IEA SHC Task 69 ‘Solar Heat for 2030’ Week from 23-26 September 2025

Joint SOLTRAIN+ / IEA SHC Task 69 ‘Solar Heat for 2030’ Week from 23-26 September 2025

In Windhoek SOLTRAIN+ and the IEA SHC Task 69 are joining forces for a full week of activities on the …

6 days, 21 hours ago

Monika Spörk-Dür

The Experimental Setup of a Side-by-Side Solar Water Heating System at The Namibia Energy Institute Reaches Commissioning Stage

The side-by-side comparison of three solar water heating technologies being installed at the premises of Namibia Energy Institute (NEI) at …

6 days, 21 hours ago

Joseph Shigwedha

NUL-ERC & SOLTRAIN+ lead Lesotho’s Solar Revolution

NUL-ERC & SOLTRAIN+ lead Lesotho’s Solar Revolution

As Lesotho is stepping into a brighter, greener future, the SOLTRAIN+ Project and the Energy Research Centre (ERC) at the …

6 days, 22 hours ago

Palesa Nkaile

Enhancing Municipal Energy Efficiency: CRSES and City of Cape Town Collaborate on Renewable Solutions for Indoor Heated Swimming Pool

Enhancing Municipal Energy Efficiency: CRSES and City of Cape Town Collaborate on Renewable Solutions for Indoor Heated Swimming Pool

The Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) at Stellenbosch University is collaborating with the City of Cape Town’s …

6 days, 22 hours ago

Dr. Francois Rozon

Exciting Opportunity for Postgraduate Students: SOLTRAIN+ Rolling Bursary Calls

Exciting Opportunity for Postgraduate Students: SOLTRAIN+ Rolling Bursary Calls

SOLTRAIN+ is offering support for twenty master’s or PhD theses dedicated to the topic of renewable heating and cooling and …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

Selma Festus