Women and youth a driving force in solar thermal activities in Zimbabwe

Submitted by Samson Mhlanga
Published 3 years, 9 months ago

Involving women in the dissemination of solar thermal technologies will go a long way towards solving Zimbabwe’s energy-related challenges of shortage and pollution. This was one of the conclusions from Sustenergy and Statix Electrical’s initiative of partnering with SOLTRAIN in training women and youth in solar thermal technologies at the Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute in Harare in April.

Dissemination workshop group photo involving women and youth

The training started with solar thermal fundamentals and moved on to more advanced topics such as the sizing of solar water heaters in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors.

Practical components of the course reinforced the theory and provided the opportunity for some hands-on experience, with the University of Zimbabwe's SOLTRAIN trailer proving extremely useful in this regard.


More about the participants and some outcomes from the training:


Dr. Fortunate Farirai is a chemical engineer and founder of Sustenergy, an energy company focusing on renewable energy technologies to provide clean, sustainable and affordable energy globally. Following the training, Sustenergy in partnership with UNDP, Ministry of Energy and Power Development, ZERA and SACREE, submitted a bankable proposal for solar thermal technologies in Zimbabwe. The proposal arises from the need to support the 2019 Solar Thermal Roadmap and Implementation Plan for Zimbabwe, targeting 2 000 000 m2 of solar thermal collector area to be installed by 2030. Through its training academy, Sustenergy now offers training on solar thermal technologies through capacity building, empowering more women and youth to be skilled installers and entrepreneurs. The company also proposed installing a solar thermal demonstration unit at the Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute in Harare for trainees.

Dr. Chipo Shonhiwa is a physicist and is the chairperson of the Engineering and Physics Department of Bindura University of Science Education. Soon after the training, she formed BENCHI Reenpower Pvt Ltd. The company is collaborating with established solar thermal companies in disseminating information on solar thermal. BENCHI, in collaboration with Crano Technology, has completed the sizing and design of a 146m2 solar water heating system for Prince Edward High School to be submitted to SOLTRAN for co-funding. At the university, she is working with women students in solar thermal technologies aiming to empower women financially through solar thermal technology.

Jenipher Chigerwe is a mechanical engineer at Midlands State University. She presented the potential benefits of solar thermal to the University management and suggested that the technology be considered for the functioning of the pathology laboratory. She formed a project team and developed a proposal for the project and has also initiated talks to retrofit electrical geysers at Mbuya Nehanda Maternity Wing of the Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals in Harare.

These motivated women concede that the COVID-19 pandemic has presented some challenges towards the implementation of their solar thermal endeavors, but remain determined with the knowledge that they'll have SOLTRAIN's continued support. They look forward to continuing the collaborative efforts among themselves as well as fostering the inclusion and mentoring of girls and fellow women in the renewable energy field.

Participants writing the final exam
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