The Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative (SOLTRAIN) has partnered with universities to support local manufacturers and solar technicians grow business by improving solar thermal technology and training.
The first phase of the project, which began in 2009, produced 60 pilot projects for training course members ranging from small-scale systems to large pumping stations. Fourty-eight of those systems were installed at social institutions in South Africa, seven in Zimbabwe, three in Namibia, and two in Mozambique.
Now in the second phase, the group hopes to further speed the deployment of solar thermal applications as more demonstrations projects are currently underway. Werner Weiss, managing director of the Austrian Institute for Sustainable Technologies and South Africa SOLTRAIN project leader, toldAFKInsiderthat by the beginning of 2014, a total of 19 applications representing 33 pilot systems were received. He add, “After a technical quality check, 22 systems were approved and 16 of these systems are already installed.”
Gauteng SOLTRAIN Coordinator Dieter Holm said the five national thermal technology platforms are expected to continue after termination of SOLTRAIN 2.
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