SophiA Off-Grid Solar Powered Systems for Healthcare in Africa: Cooling, Heating, and Clean Water

Rahman, Md Mahfizur, Omlin, Lukas, Baeuerle, Yvonne Isabell, Dudita-Kauffeld, Mihaela, Häberle, Andreas

ISES Solar World Congress 2025 · Fortaleza, Brazil · 2025-11-03
Published by International Solar Energy Society (ISES)

Abstract

Hospitals and healthcare facilities in rural, remote regions of Africa face various challenges in their daily operations. Power supplies are often unreliable, and clean water is lacking. Within the EU project SophiA, solar powered containerized and modular solutions for cooling (+5°C to -70°C) using natural refrigerants, cooled drinking water and deionized water for medical purpose, as well as hot water and electricity were developed. The systems were manufactured in South Africa and installed in four demo sites in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, and Uganda. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis indicAdd New Authorates a reduction of the environmental impact with ~50% compared to grid-based systems, supporting the viability of SophiA off-grid concept for critical healthcare services.

Keywords

sustainable cooling, solar energy, natural refrigerants, , healthcare, Africa, clean water.

← All proceedings papers