Haiti - Environment : The Albert Schweitzer Hospital converts to solar power
The German company Qinous provided at the beginning of this year, a storage device of solar energy in lithium-ion batteries with a total capacity of 200 kW, which can ensure the supply of clean, renewable energy to the Albert Schweitzer Hospital, located in the commune of Deschapelles (Artibonite). After the installation of this equipment, the Albert Schweitzer Hospital will lower its carbon footprint on the environment, nearly 200 tons per year.
The compact lithium ion battery system provides for daytime grid stabilization, thus allowing for 100 percent penetration of solar power from a 230 kW roof-mounted PV system and complete shutdown of diesel generators during the day. The new facility was financed by the Swiss partnership HAS Haiti through private donations. For the first phase of the project, the young company provided a battery system with a 200 kW output and a capacity of 225 kWh.
The 3-meter-high, 6-meter-long and 2 1/2 meter wide battery container was delivered by ship from Germany to Haiti. It now stands next to the hospital and is accessible at all times to trained technical staff. Thanks to its robust construction, it can withstand even the most extreme weather conditions.
The integrated monitoring system allows the hospital’s power supply to be constantly observed and optimized. From its headquarters in Germany, Qinous analyzes the gathered data in order to ensure an optimally efficient supply and constant further development of the technology. In the long term, an even larger PV system and higher storage capacity is envisaged for the PV project in order to assure a clean energy supply for the Albert Schweitzer Hospital around the clock. The diesel generators will then be used only in a limited manner.
