SOLAR
Back-Up Systems projects

This project is the Elecnor Foundation's first social infrastructure action in Africa, which was one of the initial destinations for Elecnor's international expansion in the 1980s.

The objective of Solar Back-Up Systems initiative is to strengthen the power supply of six hospitals and three clinics managed by the Sisters Hospitalier of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Sisters of Charity of Saint Anne congregations and the Ghanaian Ministry of Health. These facilities serve an average of 500,000 patients and carry out over 7,000 operations every year. Whilst they are connected to the electricity grid, the poor quality of the service stops some important areas functioning effectively, such as operating theatres, maternity services, emergencies, laboratory services and administration.

The project involves installing back-up systems using solar batteries and inverter-chargers boosted by solar panels to guarantee the power supply in the event of voltage fluctuations causing power outages. This involves installing 21 inverter-charger systems, connected to a set of deep-cycle batteries backed up by solar panels ensuring an effective electricity supply for medical services.

The inverter-charger is at the heart of the system. This accumulates electricity in the battery whilst a supply is available, and monitors the quality and continuity of supply to decide whether to work in charger mode or, in the event of an outage, to switch to inverter mode. The A-230w solar panels are supplied by Atersa, Elecnor's photovoltaic subsidiary.