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Hospital Solar Power Systems
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Why Is This Important?
One of the most pressing needs in the DRC is functional Hospitals. While Katanga Province has a number of small hospitals in strategic rural areas, almost all of them lack a reliable electricity supply. Most rely on diesel generators, which are not run often due to the cost of diesel.
One of the most pressing needs in the DRC is functional Hospitals. While Katanga Province has a number of small hospitals in strategic rural areas, almost all of them lack a reliable electricity supply. Most rely on diesel generators, which are not run often due to the cost of diesel.
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Our first project has just been completed at Lwanza Hospital on Lake Mwero. Costing around US$10,000, the installed 2.4kW system provides 230V AC to 2 Surgery units and a Maternity unit. |
With this one installation, thousands of people will be able to receive hospital care over the coming years that would otherwise simply not be possible. Relaible electricity in a hospital allows for the installation of: ultrasound equipment, general anaesthetics equipment, surgical suction equipment, cauterising scalpels, diagnostics laboratory equipment, computer technology, reliable communications, and refrigeration.
Why Solar?
A solar system ordinarily consists of a PV system (Solar Panels) and intelligent management to ensure that the amount of solar energy fed into the system exactly matches the demand at that time. The main advantage of solar for DRC rural hospitals is the fact that once installed, there are no further running costs. There are maintenance tasks to be done, but these are minimal and can be done by locals.
In contrast to power supply systems using diesel generators and despite their higher initial cost, solar systems have very low operating costs. In addition, solar systems are flexible and can be expanded on a modular basis as the energy demand grows. Solar systems can also incorporate other power generating sources if available, such as wind and hydro power. Battery systems can also be added to the solar panel system in order to allow excess power to be stored for use during the night.
While it would be nice to add full battery capacity "up front," there are good reasons to make more panels the main priority. Firstly, solar battery technology is only just starting to move in new and exciting directions in regard to affordability and maintenance free operation. Secondly, most medical work requiring significant power is done during daylight hours. Finally, the hospitals being targeted do have diesel generators that can be used in emergencies — they just can't afford to run it very often!
Why Solar?
A solar system ordinarily consists of a PV system (Solar Panels) and intelligent management to ensure that the amount of solar energy fed into the system exactly matches the demand at that time. The main advantage of solar for DRC rural hospitals is the fact that once installed, there are no further running costs. There are maintenance tasks to be done, but these are minimal and can be done by locals.
In contrast to power supply systems using diesel generators and despite their higher initial cost, solar systems have very low operating costs. In addition, solar systems are flexible and can be expanded on a modular basis as the energy demand grows. Solar systems can also incorporate other power generating sources if available, such as wind and hydro power. Battery systems can also be added to the solar panel system in order to allow excess power to be stored for use during the night.
While it would be nice to add full battery capacity "up front," there are good reasons to make more panels the main priority. Firstly, solar battery technology is only just starting to move in new and exciting directions in regard to affordability and maintenance free operation. Secondly, most medical work requiring significant power is done during daylight hours. Finally, the hospitals being targeted do have diesel generators that can be used in emergencies — they just can't afford to run it very often!
2016 Lwanza Project
2017 Mulongo Project (Below)
2018 Lubumbashi Project — see Home Page
2019 was a rest year, for health reasons
Our second project was completed at Mulongo Hospital on Lake Kabamba. Costing just over US$10,000, we installed 5kW of solar power in three strategic locations within the hospital complex. The system provides 3.2kW of 230V AC to 2 Surgery units, 1kW to a maternity unit, and another 1kW to paediatrics, internal medicine and a lab (for a complete detailed list of costings Click Here). All systems can also be switched to a generator source in the event of system failure or if a short-term boost in power is needed to drive a heavy current device.
With this one installation, tens of thousands of people will be able to receive hospital care over the coming years that would otherwise simply not be possible. Reliable electricity in a hospital allows for the installation of: ultrasound equipment, general anaesthetics equipment, surgical suction equipment, cauterising scalpels, diagnostics laboratory equipment, computer technology, reliable communications, and refrigeration.
With this one installation, tens of thousands of people will be able to receive hospital care over the coming years that would otherwise simply not be possible. Reliable electricity in a hospital allows for the installation of: ultrasound equipment, general anaesthetics equipment, surgical suction equipment, cauterising scalpels, diagnostics laboratory equipment, computer technology, reliable communications, and refrigeration.
Project Detail
We worked hard to get the best value for money and settled on working closely with a solar supplier in Lubumbashi, Dev Solaire. Divesh was very helpful in coming up with equipment to suit our needs, and we hope this partnership will develop in the years to come.
We installed 9 x 300W 24V panels on the surgical block, another 4 x 200W on the maternity block, and consolidated older existing panels to supply power to paediatrics, internal medicine and the lab. The surgical block was primary in terms of power allocation, since this is where power was most desperately needed. We installed a 3.2kW controller/inverter system in this block, along with a 48V 200Ah battery bank to store reserve power.
We installed 9 x 300W 24V panels on the surgical block, another 4 x 200W on the maternity block, and consolidated older existing panels to supply power to paediatrics, internal medicine and the lab. The surgical block was primary in terms of power allocation, since this is where power was most desperately needed. We installed a 3.2kW controller/inverter system in this block, along with a 48V 200Ah battery bank to store reserve power.
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The Control Room
One of the things we quickly learned in the DR Congo is that you work with what you have available! After much searching and comparison of available products, we chose ProVista equipment for this install due to pricing and technological capability.
The Provista PV3200 uses MPPT controllers due to their inherently better power conversion characteristics, and uses an integrated inverter to provide the necessary power to the 2 surgical rooms in the ward. We also installed lightening protection on both the DC and AC sides of the system due to the wet season storms that regularly pass through the area The Impact
The system is designed primarily for heavy daylight use, since this is the reality of the hospital workload. We did install enough batteries to ensure the surgical ward has all-night lighting available — something not previously possible.
In the surguries themselves, we replaced high wattage florescent tube lighting with a dual system of AC LEDs and a DC LED backup system. This makes a huge difference in terms of available light in the operating environment! Each theatre now has 4 x 5W LEDs for general room lighting as well as 5 x 9W LEDs and an adjustable 20W, directional LED floodlight above the operating table. All this without running a generator (which the hospital can't afford to run anyway)! The Big PictureMulongo Hospital is a critical site in the northern part of Katanga since it provides surgical training to recently graduated doctors and also has a nurse training programme running. Once doctors complete their surgical training here they are sent to more isolated positions in smaller clinics around the region.
Solar work done this year will allow the hospital to use essential electrical equipment in both theatres, as well as much needed lighting in maternity and paediatrics (we installed over 100 LED lights with this project). As it happened, the hospital was also donated a significant amount of medical equipment by an NGO at the very time our installation was completed, including new electric operating tables! Further equipment, including diathermy and imaging devices are also on the way now that there is power available to run them. |
It's all about the People
We target hospitals in DR Congo since it is one of the poorest countries in Africa, and without international help there is simply no way medical staff can treat those who come to them in need. Garenganze hospitals have a good reputation among the locals and provide care to people regardless of race, religion or social status.
We partner with Garenganze and seek their input before selecting projects. We work with those who run the facility in order to meet their needs as much as possible. In addition, we use the installation process to train local people in the basics of solar energy and how to manage and maintain installed equipment.
We partner with Garenganze and seek their input before selecting projects. We work with those who run the facility in order to meet their needs as much as possible. In addition, we use the installation process to train local people in the basics of solar energy and how to manage and maintain installed equipment.
