Twenty-six experts and professionals from different government and none government entities as well as the private sector have successfully completed the SOLTRAIN IV training on solar water heaters.
The participants completed the three-day training conducted by Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC), University of Botswana on March 4, 2020.
They were drawn from Department of Energy, University of Botswana, Botswana Innovation Hub (BIH), Construction Industry Trust Fund (CITF) and private solar thermal companies including Capricon Solar, Steam Energy, ESG/Solarhart, Dikago Facilities, Apex Solar, Solar One, Oriental Electricals and Electrical Tests Botswana (ETB).
Speaking during the closing ceremony, SOLTRAIN Technical Coordinator, Dr Kevin N. Nwaigwe, commended the participants for the dedication and commitment throughout the 3-day course. Dr Nwaigwe noted the enthusiasm and active participation of the trainees, which they displayed during the course.
Twenty-six participants passed the competency exam. Notable among them included Dr Mmule Magama and Ms Gagoangwe Bogopa, who did not have any technical/engineering background but were enthusiastic about solar technology.
CERC Director, Dr Ditiro Setlhaolo, commended the participants for the time invested in improving their knowledge and skills in the area of solar water heaters. In particular, Dr Setlhaolo commended participants who came all the way from Francistown and stayed throughout the duration of the training.
She was also full of praise for the trainers – Dr Kevin Nwaigwe, Mr Okatoseng Masoso and Mr John Wilson. She thanked them for the impactful transfer of knowledge and also commended the participants who passed the final course exam.
Giving a vote of thanks on behalf of the participants, the best graduating participant, Mr Tumisang Ruda from Department of Energy, thanked the facilitators and SOLTRAIN for the well-organised training and the depth of teaching.
Mr Ruda promised that the knowledge acquired would be put to good use for the benefit of Batswana.
Highlights of the course included a tour of solar water heating system at Maru-a-Pula School and practical demonstration of solar water heating principle using both a thermo syphon system and a pumped system.
Professor Jacek Uziak, a senior professor from FET, awarded successful participants competency certificates.