The Lesotho Renewable Energy-Based Rural Electrification (LREBRE) project held a five-day Capacity Development event for Solar Dealers at the Rural Water Supply Resource Centre at Khubetsoana. The event, which was facilitated by Tsoelopele Consultants & Contractors commenced on Monday 04 August 2008 and ended on Friday 08 August 2008.

Present at the workshop were suppliers and installers working in the renewable energy sector, especially solar PV. The training was geared at assisting them to understand technical aspects of the solar industry, adhere to the PV Code of Practice to ensure happy and satisfied customers and also to run profitable and sustainable businesses.

Addressing participants at a brief opening ceremony, the Director Department of Energy Mr. Thabang Phuroe said that he was pleased with the turn out and encouraged participants to make use of the workshop and facilitators who are specialists in this field. He reminded them that due to poor workmanship by some, customers had lost hope in the solar industry and that it was up to them to restore that hope.

Mr. Seriti Phate, leading facilitator for the workshop, gave a brief overview of topics to be covered. He indicated that participants would be given an overview of the critical role renewable energies are playing in global energy sources. They would then be taken through solar PV design, sizing, installation, repairs and maintenance. The Lesotho Code of Conduct for PV suppliers and installers will also play a major role in this workshop as it is the document intended to assist the PV industry in Lesotho to develop a fair and competitive business environment to deliver an efficient service for the country.

Mr. Phate ended by mentioning that in order to run profitable enterprises; the solar industry needs to understand and appreciate disciplines essential to business success. For this reason, the last two days of the course were dedicated to topics such as managing and planning businesses, tendering procedures, marketing and customer satisfaction.

Department of Energy awarded certificates to all participants.