Release
Given the intermediate results, which are described below, the SOLTRAIN project is the major project on solar thermal training and dissemination financed by a European country in southern Africa.
The goal of the Austrian funded project “SOLTRAIN” is to expedite the switch from a fossil fuel based energy supply to an energy supply system based on solar energy. Local jobs can be created and millions of Rands can retained in the country by avoiding of import of fossil fuels.
The project is carried out in co-operation with six partners in South Africa, Lesotho Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
The first phase of the project started 2008, and the second phase reached its mid-term. This is a reason to present the interim results of this project.
Up to now 13 “Train the Trainer Courses” for professionals with a total of 624 participants were carried out in the partner countries. Besides the “Train the Trainer” courses, also 41 dissemination courses with a total of 925 participants were organized by the project partners.
In addition, 11 workshops for political decision makers and administration with a total of 292 participants were carried out.
In order to apply the knowledge gained at the training courses solar demonstration systems a total of 98 solar thermal systems were installed and handed over to social institutions.
Universities and vocational training centres will be equipped with unique mobile training units – so called “Solar Trailers”.
During the press conference a Solar Trailer, produced by a South African company will be handed over by the Austrian Ambassador HE Brigitte Oeppinger-Walchshofer to a representative of the Eduardo Mondlane University of Maputo in Mozambique.
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