More Than 300 Solar Thermal Systems as a Result of a Training and R&D Co-Operation
Abstract
Countries in southern Africa suffer massive electricity shortages and regular power cuts for years. A significant part of electricity is currently being converted into low-temperature heat. To solve this problem and to exploit the huge solar thermal potential, seven research institutes and universities from Austria and six southern African countries as well as the local solar industry cooperate in a joint project. Up to now, 2400 people have been trained in 95 training courses, and the lessons learned in the courses have been implemented by local companies so far in 326 demonstration projects. The installed solar thermal systems span the range from small plants with 2 m² collector area for hot water preparation for single-family homes to systems that supply industrial processes with up to 600 m² collector area. In 2018, the two largest solar thermal systems in Sub-Sahara Africa were built in the course of this project. Monitoring results show an annual solar yield of all installed plants of 2,956 MWh and CO2 savings of 1,024 tons.