SOLTRAIN updates

Submitted by Puleng Mosothoane
Published 8 years, 2 months ago

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.

BBCDC’s parabola design

SOLTRAIN Lesotho: 3rd SOLTRAIN Roadmap meeting in Lesotho

The 3RD SOLTRAIN Roadmap Meeting was held at Avani Maseru in late February at which the results of the previous meeting were presented. Important guests who were present included Werner Weiss and Rudolf Moschik from AEE-INTEC. The welcoming remarks were made by Mr Liketso Ntho representing the Department of Energy. There were at least twenty eight 28 participants from different stakeholders including, solar companies, research institutions, government, academia and other interested parties.

SOLTRAIN Lesotho: Quality Inspector training

A quality inspector training session was carried out in late February at the Business and Community Development Centre (BBCDC). The course was led by Rudolf Moschik and Werner Weiss from AEE-INTEC and Martin Coetzee from the Institute of Plumbing SA (IOPSA). There were ten participants from different organizations who had all attended previous SOLTRAIN courses.

BBCDC solar parabolic bread baking technology technology making waves

In December 2016, Ivan Yaholnitsky and students continued with the development of their parabolic bread baking technology with the fabrication of a new parabola for export to a client in South Africa.

Solar power was used for all the cutting and welding needs of the parabola, thus minimising its embodied energy. The parabola is a robust, simple device, appropriate for supporting cottage food industries on a dispersed and decentralized basis. A full arc template was built from scratch for the shaping of the parabola.

BBCDC in the news

The Global Solar Thermal Council has published an article on the BBCDC - entitled SOLTRAIN Lesotho: Small Country, Big Accomplishments

Extended: SOLTRAIN+ Bursary Call to close on September 30th

Extended: SOLTRAIN+ Bursary Call to close on September 30th

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

2 weeks, 3 days 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, …

2 weeks, 3 days 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 …

2 weeks, 3 days 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 …

2 weeks, 3 days 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 …

2 weeks, 3 days 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 …

2 weeks, 3 days 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 …

2 weeks, 3 days 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 …

2 weeks, 3 days 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 …

2 weeks, 3 days 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 …

7 months ago

Selma Festus