The Austrian Development Agency (ADA) and AEE – INTEC (Institute for Sustainable Technologies from Austria) set up a 3-year solar thermal energy project (Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative – SOLTRAIN) in cooperation with Southern African educational institutions, renewable energy institutions and companies in South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe.  SOLTRAIN 2 builds up on a previous project which ran from 2009 – 2012.

The main activities of SOLTRAIN 2 are focused awareness campaigns on solar thermal systems to inform all relevant stakeholders and the interested population about the different applications of solar thermal energy and the related impact on security of energy supply, poverty, employment and on the environment.  Another major activity is to implement a sustainable institutional structure and focal points for solar thermal information, training, support for industry and policy as well as for applied research. These Centres of Competence will be implemented in institutions of higher education in each country. The Centers of Competence are going to carry out a comprehensive training program ranging from practical hands-on training to University level courses.

The aim of these training courses is to increase the knowledge on solar thermal systems and applications of professionals and other technical staff, which are already working in the field of solar thermal. The courses are offered free of charge and the first course and workshop will take place on the following dates and venues:

Training Workshop

11 & 12 March 2013 at Skilpadvlei, about 8km outside Stellenbosch( Invitation with map attached).

Brochure link: Training Course 1_Stellenbosch_11 and 12 March 2013

Stakeholder Workshop

13 March 2013 (Morning Session: 09h00-12h30) – Cape Town Hotel School, Granger Bay

Brochure link: Stakeholder Workshop_Cape Town_13 March 2013

Workshop with Financial Institutions

13 March 2013 (Afternoon Session: 14h00-17h30) – Cape Town Hotel School, Granger Bay

Brochure link: Finance Workshop_Cape Town_13 March 2013

Please confirm your attendance for the relevant workshop you wish to attend before 4 March 2013 with Me Denielle Andrews at 021 808 4069 or crses@sun.ac.za.