Solarcare
1. Applicant Information
Annkaren
Wambui
Founder
Royal Africare
Nairobi, Kenya
Kenya
Teammates
Martin Mwangi- Operations
Stephen Hirsch- Global board advisor and connects the company with international manufacturers and companies.
Simon Waweru- well connected in Kenya organization and government bodies creates relevant connects by introducing them to the company.
2. Criteria - Applicants Responses
Which clean technology categories does your innovation cover?
Solar Power, Smart Energy, Energy Efficiency
Please select the category you’re submitting your application for
New Idea, New Product, New Solution
Please select the phase of your innovation:
Operation
3. Questionnaire - Applicants Responses
Proposal/ Submission Title
Solarcare
Problem Statement
Access to reliable power is critical for healthcare delivery and the overarching goal of universal health coverage. According to SeeforAll organization nearly 60% of all health facilities in Africa do not have access to power, and those that do, only 34 percent of hospitals and 28 percent of health clinics have reliable access in the Sub-Saharan Africa. Power cost is also very high, combined with
power interruptions affects the quality of healthcare services for millions of people. Royal Africare envisions installation of solar power to hospitals in Urban, semi-Urban and rural areas to enhance universal health coverage even in the most remote areas. The affordability of cheap power by healthcare facilities makes healthcare affordable and cheap and at the same time avoid environmental pollution associated with climate change.
Which do you think are the innovative factors of your idea?
Royal Africare is the first company in Kenya to have an idea that will focus on installing solar systems in healthcare facilities, proving to be unique and different from the competitors in the Solar energy industry. Solarcare will provide consistent and sustainable power to healthcare facilities that are not connected to the grid or have been using diesel generators as the primary source of power. Usage of solar power ensures that the facility is connected 24/7. Such facilities are able to transition to 24/7 operations and offer advanced treatment and care due to power availability to run their complex diagnostic equipment. Healthcare facilities may choose to transition into using solar power as the primary source of power while other sources are complementary. The use of solar power has reduced the environmental impact attributed to carbon emission from diesel generators. Our diversification through Solarcare innovation will lead to expansion and opening up new market opportunities
Which benefits would your idea bring to the industry?
Solarcare product equips hospitals with solar energy. This will enable hospitals which do not have a source of power to have a sustainable and reliable source of power that can help them in transitioning to offering 24-hour services. Hospitals with limited access to power due to shortage and common power rationing have the capacity to offer comprehensive healthcare services as
they are connected to reliable source of power. Such hospitals can expand the services they offer and at the same time acquire advanced diagnostic equipment since they will have the power to support these equipment. This will enhance universal health coverage and improve life expectancy in semi- urban and rural communities hence saving more lives and money.
hence saving more lives. On installation of power energy there is little cost accrued for
maintenance, this is opposed to electricity which has a monthly bill that has to be paid
otherwise they are disconnected, this inturn will drastically reduce the cost o
To which challenges does your idea provide a solution to?
Most hospitals in rural and semi-urban areas in Kenya are not connected to the power grid, they can only offer very limited healthcare services due to lack of power and can only operate during the day. Those hospitals that are connected to the power grid face power interruptions and rationing and hence opt to use fuel generators which highly contribute to environmental pollution. The facilities connected to the power grid source power from Kenya Power and Lightning Company (KPLC) which has expensive tariffs. The power interruptions in most cases leads to hospital diagnostics and life support equipment getting off and thus leading to loss of lives. Hospitals with no power cannot offer complex healthcare services apart from first aid and pain relief services and thus end up transferring patients to other facilities for services that require diagnosis and comprehensive examination and care, this in most cases may lead to loss of lives in
emergency cases.
4. Supporting attachments and links
