Environmental research

Solar energy education and deployment in Lesotho contributes directly to climate change mitigation by avoiding CO2 emissions and strengthens adaptability to climate change through promoting job creation, capacity development, economic activity and social services via electrification. In Lesotho demand for energy is growing rapidly as individuals living in rural villages struggle to improve their quality of life and thus these villages become more developed. Extension of the grid across steep terrain to reach distributed populations is costly, proceeds slowly, and uses polluting technology. Distributed generation methods are suitable for Lesotho, especially considering the ample solar resource. Solar energy technologies can meet the needs of the Basotho without further threatening the environment. Project s Main Objective is to build capacity within Lesotho for the design, manufacture, installation, and use of solar thermal technologies to supply electricity and thermal by-products (heat, hot water, etc.) to rural institutions in Lesotho. To achieve this STG will: i. Implement theoretical solar (CSP) training program. ii. Implement hands-on solar (CSP) and rapid prototyping training program. iii. Improve solar education at the National University of Lesotho through the following: (a) Installation of a solar thermal demonstration system, and (b) Creation of an undergraduate level solar curriculum.

Lesotho