Solar Energy for Eye Care

Solar Electrifying Eye-Hospital for Improved Health Care in Cameroon

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Last edit made by Helen Mengs on 2024-05-07. This is a wiki, do not hesitate to update information by clicking on "Edit with form".

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Key Data

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Organisation

Africa Eye Foundation

Duration

July 2020 - December 2021

Project Description

The MICEI Solar Energy for Eye Care project is implemented in several steps. The first step is an environmental impact assessment, followed by the design of the required photovoltaic system and the establishment of a project 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.

GBE Component

Small Projects Fund

Categories

• Community-based Approaches
• Energy Access
• Social Institutions

Factsheet

Location

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Country SPF

Cameroon

Geographic coordinates of project site

4° 1' 26.80" N, 11° 22' 53.33" E

Latitude            Longitude

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• Solar Electrifying Eye-Hospital for Improved Health Care in Cameroon

• Community-based Approaches

• Energy Access
• Social Institutions