Solar industry association collaborates with world's biggest diamond producer to provide solar hot water to NGOs

Submitted by Karen Gibson
Published 1 year, 2 months ago

An alternative care home, SOS Children’s Village, and a boarding school for children with learning disabilities, Camphill Community Trust, both based in Botswana, are set to receive and benefit from the installation of 50 thermosyphon solar water heaters, which will directly improve the lives of 240 people, with thanks to grants from the SOLTRAIN project, funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and the a locally based mining company, Debswana Diamond Company, the world’s biggest diamond producer by value.

Camphill Project Team (SIAB, Debswana, Camphill and Hydrocon Green)

Accounting for around 30% of the Botswana’s GDP annually, Debswana’s sustainability and carbon neutral goals and strategic plan for 2030 align closely with the goals of both the SOLTRAIN project and the Solar Industry Association Botswana (SIAB), which led to the company supporting the collaborative solar project through their Corporate Social Investment program. The project is set to be completed by September 2022.

Two SMEs, who are member companies of SIAB, Capricon Solar and Hydrocon Green, will install 120m 2 of collectors, which will lead to a number of benefits including job creation, long-term financial savings, energy savings, contributions towards national carbon emission reduction targets, training of artisans and maintenance teams, and public awareness for renewable energy technologies. Furthermore, the long-term benefits of the partnership between the association and Debswana are expected to extend beyond this project into collaborations in other initiatives that promote the use of renewable energy and upliftment of the communities. The initiative is a flagship project between the association and a private sector company in Botswana, which paves the way to develop similar working relationships with other organisations, as well as to strengthen the impact of SIAB.

SOLTRAIN+ exhibits at at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show 2023

SOLTRAIN+ exhibits at at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Show 2023

The annual Zimbabwe Agricultural Show is the premier event organized by the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society for the na…

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Hilton Chingosho & Samson Mhlanga

Girls in STEM Career Guidance at Masotsha High School, Bulawayo

Girls in STEM Career Guidance at Masotsha High School, Bulawayo

The GIRLS IN STEM career guidance event was organized by Elevate Trust Zimbabwe, with a specific focus on empowering…

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Samson Mhlanga, Destine Mashava and Albert Mnkandla

NEI Exhibits the SOLTRAIN+ Project at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair and at the NUST Post-Graduate Open Day

NEI Exhibits the SOLTRAIN+ Project at the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair and at the NUST Post-Graduate Open Day

The Namibia Energy Institute (NEI) showcased its activities, including the Southern African Renewable Heating and Co…

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Joseph Shigwedha

Secure Your Spot - Pre-Register for the 7th SOLTRAIN Conference!

Secure Your Spot - Pre-Register for the 7th SOLTRAIN Conference!

We're thrilled to announce that pre-registration is now open for the upcoming 7th SOLTRAIN Conference! Don't…

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Wolfgang w.gruber-glatzl@aee.at

SOLTRAIN+ Gender & Diversity Management - Side Event alongside the SOLTRAIN+ Conference taking place 22 – 23 November 2023, Safari Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia

SOLTRAIN+ Gender & Diversity Management - Side Event alongside the SOLTRAIN+ Conference taking place 22 – 23 November 2023, Safari Hotel, Windhoek, Namibia

During the SOLTRAIN+ project, special attention is given to 'Women in Energy.' Aligned with national sustain…

1 month, 2 weeks ago

Karen Gibson, Selma Festus, Monika Spörk-Dür

Four more years of SOLTRAIN with expanded scope of SOLTRAIN+

Four more years of SOLTRAIN with expanded scope of SOLTRAIN+

The SOLTRAIN+ project, which began in January 2023, promises four more years of exciting new developments in the fie…

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Wolfgang Gruber-Glatzl

SOLTRAIN+ is starting training activities at NUST in Namibia

SOLTRAIN+ is starting training activities at NUST in Namibia

The Namibian University of Science and Technology (NUST) hosted two workshops from the 15th to the 20th of May 2023.…

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Rudi Moschik

SOLTRAIN+ promoting solar thermal potential for energy efficiency in Zimbabwe and the region

SOLTRAIN+ promoting solar thermal potential for energy efficiency in Zimbabwe and the region

The SOLTRAIN+ project aims to promote energy efficiency through the utilization of solar thermal potential in variou…

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Eng Samson Mhlanga, Blessed Sarema, Albert Mnkandla and Gilbert Munhuwamambo

Announcing "SOLTRAIN+"

Announcing "SOLTRAIN+"

The SOLTRAIN program has been successfully built up in the last 12 years leading to positive impact across the solar…

10 months, 3 weeks ago

SOLTRAIN Admin

SOLTRAIN Phase IV successfully completed

SOLTRAIN Phase IV successfully completed

The fourth phase of the SOLTRAIN project came to a close at the SOLTRAIN conference which took place on December 7th…

10 months, 3 weeks ago

Werner Weiss