Hospitals to Benefit From Solar Energy
The Monitor (Kampala)
September 10, 2003
Posted to the web September 10, 2003
Our Reporter
Kampala
Hospitals, which don't have access to power on the grid, could soon benefit from solar power.
A national policy to promote the use of solar energy in these health facilities is being promoted.
The policy comes as awareness of the benefits of solar power grows.
It is estimated that on a sunny day, a medium-size solar panel could easily heat 150 litres of water without any other running coats.
Sunrise for Uganda, a project funded by the Austrian Development Corporation, has already installed over 200 M2 solar panels in some health facilities and public buildings.
These include Sanyu Babies Home, Villa Maria Hospital in Masaka and Nyahuka Health centre in Bundibugyo.
Sunrise Uganda works with local partners such as Uganda Renewable Energy Association, Solar Construct and Uganda Electronics.
"Solar thermal energy is the only way that a country like Uganda can overcome its serious energy deficiencies," Rudi Moschik, project manager of Sunrise for Uganda, said.
He expects solar energy to be widely used in the health sector, particularly in rural areas, as it is a cheap and clean source of energy.
Dr Martin Ogwang, the Medical Superintendent of Lacor Hospital, said that when they installed solar, their electricity bills fell. Hygiene levels also rose due to availability of heated water.
"The hospital electricity bill reduced by almost half because we started to use less electricity to heat water," he said.
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