Providing a Reliable Energy System for Zanmi Lasante Hospital
The Zanmi Lasante hospital in Boucan Carré, Haiti serves at least 100 patients daily. To meet its energy needs, the hospital relied largely on a diesel powered generator with an undersized inverter/battery back-up system. The hospital's fuel costs were high and there was no back up system to supply its power needs.
USAID and its partners on the ground installed a solar PV system at Zanmi Lesante hospital in September 2009. USAID, along with Tetra Tech, Sun Energy Power International (SunEPI), Solar World and the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), completed the installation of a 10 kW solar PV / inverter/ battery / generator system, which connected to the existing AC distribution system. The system includes a 10,000 watts of solar panels, (4) OutBack 3600 watt inverter / chargers, (4) MPPT Outback solar charge controllers, and a Rolls 1766 Ah, 48V battery bank.
The new PV system cuts the hospital's fuel costs and provides reliable back-up for its loads. With USAID support a six month maintenance agreement was provided for the PV system. Staff from Zanmi Lasanté hospital were trained to operate and maintain the system.
SunEPI developed an Owner's Manual for operating and maintaining the solar PV system. The manual both conveys a basic overview of the system and discusses the complexities of the design and operating principles.
The Zanmi Lasante hospital project was made possible through assistance provide by USAID, solar panels and OutBack Power equipment donated by Solar World, batteries, racks, and other miscellaneous items donated by the Solar Electric Light Fun. Training was underwritten by USAID.
| Item | SELF | SEPI/Solar World | USAID Participation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sub-Totals | 49,000 | 70,000 | 41,000 |
| Total US$ | 49,000 | 70,000 | 41,000 |
| $119,000 donated | |||
| Batteries | 21,000 | ||
| Racks | 7,000 | ||
| US Purchase Materials | 6,000 | ||
| Original Assessments | 5,000 | ||
| Other Misc. Costs | 10,000 | ||
| Solar Panels | 40,000 | ||
| Inverter / Power Equipment | 20,000 | ||
| International Freight | 10,000 | ||
| Local Materials, Training Costs, Logistics | 41,000 | ||