The first installation of a SolarChill B units manufactured locally by The Fridge Factory from eSwatini was completed the 18th September at Emazomba Grocery store.

During the installation, people living nearby were attracted and asked questions about the SolarChill unit. The most remarkable fact was, that the unit is indeed locally manufactured by The Fridge Factory. Another important fact was, that the unit does not need a battery to store the energy. Great attention was drawn towards the environmentally friendliness of the unit.

The SolarChill project is proud to support local manufacturers and we are happy to promote further installations of units manufactured in eSwatini for the people of eSwatini and beyond:

At the FridgeFactory, they take the responsibility and reputation as a good corporate citizen very seriously.  They believe that good ethics and good business go together naturally to produce the best long-term results for all our stakeholders.  Ethical business is part of who they are, their values, their heritage, their policies and the way they behave. They are proud of their principles and the effect on how they do business.

The first installation of a SolarChill B unit (a modified Vestfrost 054) is finished in the Kingdom of eSwatini. On the first day, the pole mounting was cemented and installed. This mounting option was needed as the roof structure of the building was quite weak. Emalangeni 2 Grocery is in an off-grid location in the Hhohho region of eSwatini. The owner of the store was using a gas-powered refrigerator. This introduced additional cost and time for buying gas every now and then. With receiving the SolarChill B unit running costs are to be reduced and reliability is increased. The owner of the store is thankful and very happy to receive a SDD unit. The gas-driven unit is switched off as soon as the SolarChill B unit started to work.

During the installation technicians from Ministry of Natural Ressources and Energy (MNRE) and Ministry fo Commerce, Industry and Trade (MCIT) participated. All work was done by the following people: Peter Chawira (HEAT), Zwela Ngozo (MNRE), Clifford Dlamini (MCIT) and Patricia Mamba (MCIT). Mrs. Elizabeth Ngodza overlooked the installation and checked the unit for correct installation and running.

The World Ozone Day was celebrated on the 19th of September in eSwatini. The theme was 32 years and healing. Celebrated was over three decades of remarkable cooperation to protect the ozone layer and the climate under the Montreal Protocol. The eSwatini Environmental Authority (EEA) has played a major role in making sure that all ozone depleting substances are prohibited from entering the Kingdom of eSwatini by having strict border control on these substances.

One of the highlights of the event was the SolarChill Project. With the participation of different ministries including; Ministry of Health, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy and Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade, the project is been an interesting journey. It was appreciated by the 40 health facilities that received the solar direct drive vaccine refrigerators (SolarChill A). The units have come in handy for the facilities because they get power outages that last up to 24hours as we approach the rainy season. Phase two of the project has commenced (SolarChill B) and a total of 15 beneficiaries will receive the solar direct drive domestic units. Installation in Manzini and Hhohho is completed already. The Ministry of Commerce Industry and Trade (MCIT) and Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy (MNRE) have played a major role since the inception of the project. Also of importance to note the participation of The Fridge Factory (TFF) on the project as they are part of the technology transfer. Ten (10) out of the fifteen (15) domestic units were manufactured at the TFF.

Thus, the project promotes the people tunning small businesses and local manufacturers to create synergies and make the people proud of owning a eSwatini-build solar refrigerator

Over 1 billion people live in regions without reliable electrical supply. In those regions maintaining a secure “cold chain” for preserving vaccines, medicines and food supplies is extremely challenging [1].

Until recently, the market for vaccine and fresh food refrigerators in remote areas without reliable electricity has been dominated by kerosene, or gas operated units based on the absorption principle. These refrigerators possess several disadvantages related to operating costs, effectiveness in maintaining appropriate temperatures and environmental impact. In remote areas, obtaining kerosene on a timely and consistent basis has proven to be challenging and expensive. In addition, fossil fuel (mostly kerosene but also propane gas or diesel) powered refrigerators result in greenhouse gas emissions through normal operation and emit toxic fumes that are dangerous for humans when in enclosed spaces. These refrigerators are also more susceptible to catch fire as compared to electric and solar refrigerators. Ordinary electrical refrigerators operated with a genset is a poor alternative due to inefficiency and constant noise.

Another solution is to use solar panels as energy source for the (DC) compressor, which overcomes some of the problems related to the fossil fuels. Nevertheless, many solar refrigerators that are currently available on the market rely on lead-acid batteries to store energy. These batteries are typically the weakest link in solar systems in developing countries because they break down frequently, especially in hot climates. Batteries are also vulnerable to theft and pose an environmental hazard upon disposal.

Therefore, a better solution needed to be found. In this regard, the SolarChill project had been initiated. The SolarChill project was launched in 2001 by a unique consortium of several major international organizations to develop and deliver affordable, technically reliable, climate friendly, solar powered and lead acid battery free refrigeration to regions with insufficient electricity. This is the Solar Direct Drive (SDD) refrigerator with a thermal storage, the SolarChill[1]. The SolarChill partnership currently includes the following organizations, the Danish Technology Institute (DTI), GIZ GmbH, Greenpeace, SKAT, HEAT GmbH, path, UN Environment, UNICEF and WHO

Two main versions of the SolarChill are involved in the project:

1)     SolarChill A: Medical application “Preserving vaccines”

2)     SolarChill B: Household and commercial purpose “Preserving food”

Continuing with this work, the GEF SolarChill project started in October 2016 and is still running. The project targets the uniform field monitoring of SolarChill appliances both for commercial and medical purposes and the technology transfer for the dissemination of the technology and the local production in developing countries, particularly in the two project countries eSwatini and Colombia. The project engages with local manufacturers in both countries.

To get a technical overview and to further spread the technological options the SDD refrigerators provide, a technology report was prepared and the final draft is now available for download in the resources section of the website www.solarchill.org

The first monitioring report is available for download in the resources section.

The purpose of this report is to document the installation and operation of solar powered refrigerators and monitoring systems under this project with the final goal to check compliance with WHO requirements and reliability in real use.

Solar direct drive (SDD) refrigerators have successfully been introduced to the health sector for some years, but there has not been a systematic collection of data on their performance under field conditions across different models and climates for a longer period.

Some of the concerns are the limited ability to control the vaccine temperature under all conditions, especially to avoid freezing, and also if the reliability and energy consumption in practice is in line with the results acquired by the standardized laboratory test that is used to qualify the appliances for WHO PQS listing.

Besides cold chain application the project is investigating possible commercial and household application of the same technology. The refrigerators are classified as vaccine SDD refrigerators (SolarChill A) and commercial refrigerators (SolarChill B). At the time of writing only vaccine refrigerators have been installed.

The primary objective of the project is to gather information from practical field operation of different types of SolarChill refrigerators in three specific countries: Colombia, Kenya and the Kingdom of eSwatini. The selection of the three countries should ensure a broad range of operating condition from hot/humid to temperate/dry. It was planned to have 66 units installed in each country, 200 altogether. This report is based on data from 59 units.

A final measurement report will be published by end of the monitoring period (January 2020). The monitoring period will thus cover sunny and rainy/overcast periods of the year at each location. The Danish Technological Institute has been the main responsible partner for the monitoring program.

Results for each specific refrigerator brand are anonymized in this report with a letter A to E.

Recently, representatives from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, UNICEF, the Renewable Energy Association of Swaziland (REASWA) and the Eswatini Environmental Authority visited various health facilities in the country to get an update of the status of the units and the SolarChill project.

Visited installation places were: 

• Ekufikeni clinic
• Piggs Peak Public Health Unit
• Sigombeni Red-Cross Clinic
• Bulunga Nazarene
• Mankayane Hospital
• Ncabaneni

During the forth session of the UN Environment Assembly, held between 11th and 15th March in Nairobi, interested journalists took a days trip to visit various locations worth sharing for international coverage. This years Assembly is centered around innovative solutions and the SolarChill project was picked as one project worth visiting.

We are proud that we could be part of that activity and we chose the health facility in Olasiti, Narok County, as a place to represent the SolarChill project. The staff at the health facility did a great job to show the location as its best. 

SolarChill unit in Naikarra Health Facility

The health facility in Naikarra, Narok county, did obtain a Vestfrost VLS024 unit from the SolarChill project. In 2018 the health facility registered 14,000 patients, justifying the need of cold chain equipment. Equipped with this unit, the health workers have excellent tools to benefit people in vulnerable populations in various ways. First, the cold chain for storing vaccines is maintained even during cloudy days. This is one of the main drivers for safe vaccinations. Second, with the possibility of cooling ice-packs, the health workers can perform outreach activities.

Outreach activities

Besides vaccinations and deliveries at the health facility, the health staff performs outreach activities in communities which are far away and hard to reach. These two reasons, long travel distance and poor road conditions, prohibit mums to get their children vaccinated. The health workers at Naikarra perform three outreach sessions each month in three different communities, namely in the villages Iretet, Embiti and Ntepes. Proper planning of the outreach activities is mandatory, all necessary vaccine- and health equipment need to be packed prior to the outreach trip.

Community Health Volunteers

Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) working in the communities on a voluntary basis and are in close contact with the mothers and prepare everything needed during the outreach activity at the village. They organize everything needed during outreach activities and ensure the communication with the health worker. A place for the examination and the vaccination of the children is needed, often the vaccines are given in a church, a school or under a single tree.

The last mile - outreach in Ntepes

Ntepes, a small community in Narok county, is situated in the catchment area of Naikarra Health center. Once a month, there is an outreach session to this village. Ntepes is in a hilly, savanna environment and is about 11 km away from the health center. There is no water available, the location is remote and off-grid. All people in this Massai community are herders and keep sheep, goats or cows. Daily activities are fetching water and collecting firewood, sometimes there is a market in Naikarra for selling their livestock. The newly build school is the place were outreach activities are conducted. During the outreach activity routine health checks for the children are performed. Weight and height are recorded as well as the overall health status of the children. Newly born children can be registered and routinely vaccinated. Given doses and vaccines in Ntepes are Vitamin A and BCG (Bacille Calmette-Guérin), a vaccine against tuberculosis. Oral Polio doses, Pentavalent Vaccine (DPT/HepB/HIB) and PCV 10 against pneumococcal disease and measles are also given to immunize the children according to the plans of MoH. During this outreach mission, 24 children got vaccinations.

Training in the Kingdom took place from the 26th until the 29th of June 2018. The first installation was also done as part of the training. The first day of the training was theoretical. The technical country manager, Peter Chawira thoroughly explained to the attendants from the participating ministries (these included officers and technicians) how the solar chill

technology functions, the advantages and the categories of the refrigerators. From the 27th until the 29th of June 2018, only technicians participated. The first installation took place as part of the training, it was done at King Sobhuza II health facility.

The first SolarChill A unit was installed in AIC Olasiti Dispensary, in Narok County, Kenya. The event at 9th August 2018 was organized by CHAK, Narok County health department and AIC Health Ministries. The Chief guest was HE. Hon. Samuel Kuntai Ole Tunai who was represented by CEC Health Hon. Vivian Sereti. The CHAK delegation was led by Chairman Rev. Dr. Robert Lang'at and General Secretary Dr. Samuel Mwenda. Please find the full story in the document CHAK_Times_Issue55 downloadable below.

AIC (African Inland Church) Gatab Health Centre is situated at Mt. Kulal in Marsabit county, about 700km from Nairobi on the shortest route, i.e. Laisamis - Namarei route. The area between Illaut and the junction to Gatab is not very safe and robbery is likely to happen. It is therefore advisable to use Marsabit route through Civicon junction which is safer but very long. Climbing Mt. Kulal on the way to Gatab is one major challenge even to people living in this region. The road is rocky, rough and the highest speed one can drive is not more than 20km/h. The area is also characterized by Steep valleys and cliff which are very dangerous during rainy season. Due to this reason, there are no commuter vehicles to Gatab.

The health facility shares the same compound with a mission centre. This is where AIC missionaries are accommodated whenever they visit the area to support the health facility and Samburu community. The only Guest house available in Gatab was built by AIC missionaries and one has to make arrangement for accommodation and meals early in advance. There are no eating places/food kiosks in the area and most people survive on one meal a day.

AIC Gatab health centre was built by the missionaries and is now managed by the local AIC Church. The nearest health facility is Illaut dispensary which is about 137km away. Major services like x ray, dialysis, surgery etc can only be obtained in Marsabit, Isiolo or in Meru. See below some of the services offered at the facility.

The installation was done by Mr. Kenneth Njeru, technical service from CHAK, the driver was David Ogutu.

Mr. Joseph Rugut, one of our technicians from CHAK (Christian Health Association Kenya) did the installation of a SolarChill Vestfrost VLS024 unit at Jamia Medical Centra in the Kakamega county, Mumias Township, in western Kenya. The installation was successful and the health facility workers are confident that the unit will provide a valueable tool for their daily work. Please see the Jamia Letter to the SolarChill project as a download below.

A new study on Sustainable Development Goal 7, to ensure

access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all, published by IEA (https://www.iea.org/sdg/electricity/) is publicly available.

Energy access policies are providing progress towards

electrification, nevertheless, in sub-Saharan Africa there are more than 600 million people without access to electricity. In this region, the electrification is slowly declining. The strongest progress is in the countries Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Nigeria.

As shown in the figure, the SolarChill partner countries, Colombia has the highest electrification rate. Kenya experienced a strong increase, but the decline is clearly visible. Swaziland is almost at the same electrification rate as Kenya, the increase is steadily continuing.

In the Sustainable Development Scenario universal access to electricity will be achieved in 2030. Until then and even beyond, the SDD units from the SolarChill project will provide as a reliable basis for the supply of vaccines in rural areas.

The SolarChill website, www.solarchill.org, is now available in French. The translation was made by Mr. Wangho René Job. He is a Trilingual Translator (French, English and German) and is located in Yaoundé, Cameroon.

Having the website now available in 3 different languages will increase its rating of viewing, reading, knowledge and wider acceptance of its works by the people. It is very important that more people around the world can learn about and gain access to SolarChill Technology and the SolarChill project, as they affect people around the world in general and in areas without a source of conventional electrical energy.

The international conference on SolarChill units was held the 05. June in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Partners were the Programme Organisation et Developpment des Communautes (PODC, Cameroon) et Solafrica (www.solafrica.ch). The aim was the further dissemination of SolarChill units in Cameroon.

During the meeting it was agreed, that PODC and Solafrica will obtain 5 SolarChill A units from our partnering manufacturer Palfridge (eSwatini) as a donation as soon as the units are available.

A site visit at Naikarra Dispensary, Narok county was done together with Rebekka Oelze from the Christian Health Facility Kenya (CHAK) and Dr. Simon Mischel from the SolarChill project. After a warm welcome of the local health workers we visited the installation place for the SolarChill A vaccine refrigerator. At the moment the health facility uses an old-fashioned absorber refrigerating box driven by LPG for cooling the vaccines. As the nearest place for obtaining LPG is about 50 km away, it is a hard task to ensure the delivery of LPG. Another problem is the limited space such a box provides. See the picture section for more information on Naikarra dispensary. 

Naikarra is also an excellent place for installing a SolarChill B unit. The nearby church provides a place where the whole community gathers at the evenings or during community events. Therefore, a pre-site assessment was carried out during our visit to gather important information about the local conditions (e.g. roof structure, room availability). 

Rafael Hernán Rivera Caballero performed an installation of a B Medical TCW40SDD unit in Pueblo Bello, Departamento del Cesar in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. 

The installation site is about 6 hours away from Valledupar city. To reach the site, it takes about 2.5 hours by car followed by a 3 hours hike along the Guatapurí river. 

The solar panels were assembled at the site and then mounted on a structure specially designed for the housing of the panels. 

Everything went quite well during the successful installation of the unit in an off-grid area somewhere in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta.

Thanks to our country managers Elizabeth Ngodza and Peter Chawira, together with Patricia Mamba and Clifford Dlamini (both MCIT), the site assessment visits for potential SolarChill B sites were done from 23-27 April 2018 in the Kingdom of eSwatini. 

The main purposes were:

• find suitable locations
• examination of the buildings and the roofs for photovoltaic installation
• check if building space for refrigerator is sufficient
• road and security conditions

The site assessment was done in different locations in the regions Lubombo (4 sites), Shiselweni (5 sites), Manzini (3 sites) and Hhohho (3 sites). All sites have no electricity connection.

The SolarChill project reached an important milestone.

The installation of the first B-Medical SolarChill unit took place in Caldono, Cauca province, Colombia in the health facility "punto de atención Caldono".

First, the solar arrays were installed at the roof of the health facility. Second, the unit was installed inside the building. After wiring and successful testing of the complete installation, the setup was finished. Running for approximately 24h, the temperature inside the vaccine compartment of the B-Medical unit reached about 5.5 °C. This temperature is well within the desirable range of vaccine storage. With the in-build monitoring device we are able to monitor the ambient and inside temperature and thus are able to monitor the performance of the unit.