SOLTRAIN builds on successes and extends to a fourth phase

Submitted by Werner Weiss
Published 6 years ago

SOLTRAIN is pleased to announce that the programme will be extended to a fourth phase. SOLTRAIN began its first phase in 2009, with partner institutions in Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and with the second and third phases seeing the extension of the programme into Lesotho and Botswana.

None

To date, the three phases of SOLTRAIN have resulted in about 3,000 people being trained in 100 training courses conducted in the six partner countries. In addition, 326 solar thermal systems, ranging from 2 to 600 m² in collector area per system, have been installed in these countries.

At the policy and planning level, Solar Thermal Roadmaps and Implementation Plans were developed through broad stakeholder consultation processes, in close cooperation with policy stakeholders such as ministries and government bodies.

In the upcoming fourth phase, the next logical step will be the implementation of the Solar Thermal Roadmaps and Implementation Plans in a medium-term process in close coordination with the renewable and solar energy policies of the partner countries. The planned project execution period will be from 1 July 2019 until 31 December 2022.

The fourth phase will focus on the following five key areas:

Supporting political stakeholders in the implementation of the Solar Thermal Roadmaps and Implementation Plans that were published after a broad stakeholder process in all partner countries.

Increasing technical skills and skills transfer by carrying out a number of training courses targeted at different competency levels and stakeholder groups in the value chain of solar thermal technology.

Raising of awareness on the potential of solar thermal technology by using targeted campaigns. Through such awareness raising, relevant stakeholders and the public will be made aware of the wide range of applications for solar thermal systems. Awareness raising also shows the benefits of solar thermal systems concerning energy supply, poverty alleviation, job creation and the protection of the environment.

Strengthening institutional structures, including expert advice, training and technical support to the local industry, politicians and policy makers. This will be done through supporting the solar thermal technology platforms that were established in the previous phases. Similar to the European technology platforms, these platforms include all key stakeholders and sectors that can play a role in the acceleration and adoption of solar thermal technology. These platforms will act as an interface between local companies and the relevant government institutions in order to expedite the technology.

Demonstrating that solar thermal technology works in practice. The fourth phase will set up about 100 additional solar thermal demonstration systems in order to apply the knowledge taught in the training programs to installers, students and politicians. Both small and large scale plants will be set up in social institutions and small and medium enterprises, and will contribute to water heating, cooling and the generation of process heat.

With the solar thermal demonstration systems at least 2,500 MWh electricity will be saved annually and 430 tons of CO2 emission will be avoided.

By improving access to sustainable energies, specifically solar thermal, the fourth phase of SOLTRAIN will continue to contribute to the realization of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, specifically, SDG 7 directly, and SDG 1, SDG12 and SDG 13 indirectly.

The implementing agency of SOLTRAIN is AEE - Institute for Sustainable Technologies (AEE INTEC). AEE INTEC is an Austrian research institute active in solar thermal energy research, training and demonstration. The institute has been active worldwide in the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency for more than 30 years.

The local partners in the six SADC Member States are:

  • Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC), University of Botswana
  • Bethel Business and Community Development Centre (BBCDC) in Lesotho
  • Namibian Energy Institute (NEI), University of Science and Technology in Namibia
  • National Company for Science and Technology Parks (ENPCT) in Mozambique
  • National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Zimbabwe
  • Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES), University of Stellenbosch and
  • South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) in South Africa

Funding

As in previous phases, the project will be funded by the Austrian Development Agency and the Opec Fund for International Development (OFID).

The SOLTRAIN III Community
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, 16 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, 16 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, 16 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, 16 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, 16 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, 16 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, 16 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, 18 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, 18 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