Sale of Excess Solar Energy: A Contribution to the Recurrent Costs of Immunization Programmes?

Abstract

In 10 years, the Expanded programme on Immunization, has proved that “Health for all by the year 2000” is not a dream. Vaccination coverage worldwide has risen from under 5% to over 75% today, saving the lives of millions of children. This ambitious and expensive programme must rely on a sound infrastructure of which the cold chain is an essential element. Is it possible, within one solar energy programme, to provide rural health units with vaccine refrigerators as well as a small scale distribution of electricity which, being sold to the community in exchange of a small fee, would help contribute to the payment of recurrent health activity costs and thereby improve their chances of becoming self financing? This paper describes the initial results of a pilot programme initiated in Zaire where, in addition to vaccine refrigerators and lighting systems, the health district is equipped with battery chargers and a community video/television and generates income through the sale of solar electricity.