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Breaking news

03.02.2012: the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation is looking for investors for the next development step

Poverty is not the limiting factor for development in Africa. This was the conclusion of the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation after six years of development assistance in Ethiopia. With an investment of around € 5 million in donations, more than 15,000 solar systems were installed on the roofs of huts, schools and health centers. An execution of specially trained Ethiopian technicians in the own school of the Foundation. 14 Solar Centers currently attend to 83 villages. 940,000 people benefit from the solar systems. More...

17.01.2012: ISEI-visit of the Ethiopian Minister of Energy

The Ethiopian Minister of Energy has visited the Solar Valley on the occasion of the conversations about the accreditation of the ISEI (International Solar Energy Institute for Rural Development) as official training center. During the tour, the technical director, Yonas Workie, explained the training opportunities.

The report: 6 years Ethiopia solar(3218 Kb)

17.01.2012: First training for solar technicians from Tanzania

For the first time, young Tanzanian trainees have attended to a training course at the Solar Valley of the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation. The aim of the training is a certificate of the ISEI (International Solar Energy Institute for Rural Development). The training contents were amongst others basic principles, solar technology, implementation and maintenance of solar products.

02.12.2011: Q-Cells technology further training for solar technicians

Further training courses are regularly offered to the solar technicians from the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation in Ethiopia. This time, Angelika Hofmann and Florian Stenzel from Q-Cells have carried out the training module and passed on their knowhow. The German company Q-Cells supports since 2008 the training and development work of the Solar Energy Foundation in Ethiopia. We thank you very much!

Light for health

19th May 2011. In the solar village Rema, a new use for solar light was discovered. Slides are screened by microscope with the very bright LED light from the Solar-Home-System ST10. This allows as of now and for the first time ever, to detect amongst others malaria and tuberculosis pathogens. Besides, with this rapid detection method 20 patients per day can be tested instead of four.

Films about the work of the Foundation in Ethiopia

Breaking news

30.3.2012 - Helping To Self-Help in Ethiopia

Dr. Harald Schützeichel in conversation with a solar customer

The FAZ (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung) reported on 13.2.2012 about the new development approach of the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation: "From the beginning, Harald Schützeichel intended to make himself superfluous at some point. When the 51 year-old former business man decided eight years ago to travel to Rema for the first time,..." read more...

5.2.2012 Badische Zeitung reports:

Badische Zeitung from 6.2.2012

Light for the huts - Solar Foundation draws a balance.
FREIBURG. In the Third World, you can achieve more in terms of development policy if you do not distribute gifts, but rather conduct a meaningful business development. That was the motto with which Harald Schützeichel and his Stiftung Solarenergie based in Merzhausen began six years ago to install small solar systems on the roofs of Tukul huts in the Ethiopian highlands. Schützeichel was formerly CEO of the Solarstrom AG.
Read the article (German)....

27.12.2011: Repair service for non-profit organization

Mena Hailemichael repairs not only solar systems, but also the school megaphone

Over and over, the solar technicians of the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation are asked if they could also maintain solar systems in other projects. Since the foundation itself only installs systems where they can be maintained by the foundation, the answer is usually NO. It makes no sense for us to repair once a solar system. At the school in Dulele Kori, we make an exception. There, the school is situated in the operation area of one of the solar centers.

30.11.2011: Solar Training for solar trainers in cooperation with Q-Cells

Three-day compact training for solar professionals. In cooperation with the German company Q-Cells, 20 experts from the Ethiopian Energy Department attended a conference with training program. It focused module and solar technology. This training is an essential element for the further expansion of solar energy in Ethiopia.

Field report Minjar Solar-Center

15.6.2011. Abnet Jemal and Habtamu Mussi go to the Minjar Solar-Center for maintenance work. The region is known for its high humidity and heat. These are extreme conditions for the solar systems.
The operation takes the whole day. Habtamu Mussi changes the batteries in six systems and...

The complete report(447 Kb)

May 2011: Solar electricity for 214 huts and schools

In May 2011 the solar technicians of the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation equipped 214 tukuls and schools for the first time with solar power. This represents light for about 1,000 people and hundreds of students. 14 solar TVs were also installed. For 31 solar systems maintenance had to be carried out: battery and lamp replacement and exchange of various technical components - of course free of charge because the owners of solar systems pay a monthly service fee, which is well below the price of kerosene.

Derege Walelign visits Solar Valley Addis Ababa

17th May 2011. Derege Walelign President of the Ethiopian Solar Society visits the Solar Valley Addis Ababa. Mr. Walelign is one of the most important persons in the solar energy sector in Ethiopia. He was impressed with what is going on at the Solar Competence Center from the Stiftung Solarenergie - Solar Energy Foundation.