'solarafrica.network' solutions

The programmes and activities of ‘solarafrica.network’ described in this document focus on the technology and application of ‘solar-thermal energy’ and ‘energy-efficient alternatives’ since 1999. The programme’s aims to develop further already tested technologies, implementation techniques and availability of resources. Our main areas of activity and objectives can be concentrated in four global points of our programme:

Facilitation of improved and alternative technologies, identifying through research and testing solutions that will work within the pilot scheme at rural/urban domestic level, and developing the infrastructure for local manufacture of such technologies.

Implementation of these alternatives as a fuelwood shortage relief programme in rural domestic application, working with an existing network of specifically trained officers and demonstrators.

Co-operation at institutional and industrial level to implement further awareness and exploitation of solar thermal renewable energy for the benefit of institutions, businesses and co-operatives. This area comprises lecturing at agricultural institutes to form new ‘solar’ engineers and officers (as part of their curriculum), and developing systems for industrial use, such as sanitation for fertilisers, milk pasteurisation, fruit and spice drying, etc

Documentation. To dedicate a good part of our efforts to documenting the programme’s contributions from consultants and collaborators with the objective of creating a global pool of knowledge in the area, available to everyone through literature and the internet. We aim to encourage the reproduction of the exercise regionally and to interact with existing groups for co-operation, development and support.

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* Energy as a tool for sustainable development.'
..European Commission and UNDP. 1999