Solar Energy for Eye Care
Solar Energy for Eye Care
Key Data
team. The staff responsible for operation and maintenance is trained accordingly. The photovoltaic system provides electricity for interior lighting, street lighting and power for the Institute’s operations, as stipulated by the project plan. As a back-up – for example in times of monsoon – the MICEI can fall back on the national power grid. Through an improved and climate friendly clean energy supply MICEI can save costs, operate more effectively, and extend the provision of health services. In Cameroon the demand for electric energy far outstrips the available supply. Furthermore, transportation from the source of production to the final consumer has been very challenging (due to power loss and variations). So far, there is very little engagement in seeking solar energy supply. MICEI seems to be the first health institution to have the facility equipment powered by solar energy in Cameroon, and the first non-profit eye hospital in Africa. The solar system is based on three autonomous modules, corresponding to three components: internal lightning, street lights and machines. The modular design approach of these components has two key advantages. The first advantage is flexibility in implementation, the second is efficiency in maintenance. The modular design facilitates maintenance since a
fault in one subsystem does not affect the other subsystems. At the same time the system has the possibility to switch back to the national power grid. This allows the existing power supply to be used as backup to the solar system and it provides continuity of service in the event of a fault in the solar system.- Productive Use
Location
