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The University of Botswana (UB) Vice Chancellor, Professor David Norris, has said the abundance of solar energy in Southern African Community (SADC) region presents attractive alternative solution to energy crisis in the region.

Professor Norris made the remarks during the 8th SOLTRAIN (Southern African Solar Thermal Training and Demonstration Initiative) Conference. He was speaking on the theme “Advancing Solar Thermal Technologies for Sustainable Energy: Innovations, Applications and Future Directions.

The conference which is held at the Gaborone International Conversion Centre (GICC) ends today (28th February 2025) and was held under the theme: “Accelerating Sustainable Energy Solutions for an Energy Secure SADC Region”. To that end, Professor Norris urged the region to harness solar energy to meet its growing energy demands, underlining its affordability, reliability and sustainability as an environmentally friendly solution.

He said International Energy Agency estimates indicated that solar energy system could provide 70 – 80 percent of the region’s solar water heating demands. He added that energy demands in the region continued to grow and outpaced supply, resulting in economic growth challenges. Furthermore, the Vice Chancellor noted that SOLTRAIN aimed at reducing energy poverty, improving access to sustainable energy as well as contributing towards sustainable development goals.

Professor Norris highlighted achievements of the SOLTRAIN initiative in Botswana such as trainings and awareness campaigns on solar thermal technologies. He stated that the SOLTRAIN project had trained 600 individuals from various institutions and successfully fostered entrepreneurial opportunities in solar thermal technologies, thereby creating jobs.

 The SOLTRAIN project has undertaken many African awareness activities such as technical tours targeting policy makers, said the Vice Chancellor. He added that SOLTRAIN contributed towards policy initiative such as development of Botswana’s thermal technology roadmap and research development

Professor Norris further highlighted SOLTRAIN's achievements including the successful implementation of demonstration projects in public institutions and communities. These include a 4000-liter hot water system at Maruapula Hostels, 7000-liter system at Mogoditshane Laundry, 5000-liter system at Camphill Community Trust, 5000-liter system at the Botswana Defence Force (BDF), 3000-liter system at Pudulugong Rehabilitation Centre and 20 000-liter system at UB.

Austria Ambassador to South Africa, Ms Romana Konigsbrun, commended SOLTRAIN project for significant milestone achievement in advancing solar energy for sustainable energy future in the SADC region. Ms Konigsbrun said the SOLTRAIN initiative enhanced international cooperation and knowledge sharing in addressing pressing energy challenges. She further encouraged the region to harness the abundance resources for solar technologies to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and pave way for clean and sustainable energy.

Meanwhile, Austria Development Agency Sustainable Energy Specialist, Mr Manfred Burstmayr, observed that the SOLTRAIN initiative was a regional programme that promoted solar thermal energy as a sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources. He said SOLTRAIN aimed at developing sustainable energy solutions that reduced dependency on fossil fuels besides mitigating climate change impacts.