Solar System For Hospital & Clinic

Why Hospitals and Clinics Should Go Solar:

• Energy Independence: Solar power reduces dependence on the main electricity grid. This means hospitals and clinics are less affected by power outages and can ensure reliable energy for their critical operations.
• Enhanced Reputation: Going solar shows that a hospital or clinic cares about the environment and is forward-thinking. This can attract more patients and community support, highlighting a commitment to both patient care and sustainability.

• Long-Term Benefits: Solar panels last a long time and need little maintenance. Investing in solar energy is a smart choice for the future, offering lasting savings and reliability with minimal disruption.

• Cost Savings: Solar power cuts electricity bills. Hospitals and clinics can save money on energy, which can be used to improve patient care and services. As energy costs rise, switching to solar helps lower long-term expenses.

• Reliable Power: Solar panels provide steady power. This is crucial for hospitals and clinics that need constant electricity for medical equipment and operations, ensuring patient safety and effective treatment without interruptions.

• Environmental Benefits: Using solar energy reduces pollution. Solar power is clean and helps lower greenhouse gas emissions, supporting a healthier environment and aligning with global goals for sustainability.

• Financial Incentives: Government programs offer financial help for solar installations. Hospitals and clinics can use these incentives to make the initial investment in solar power more affordable and appealing.

Typical Load

Hospitals use a lot of power for different needs to keep running smoothly. Knowing what equipment uses power helps in planning energy solutions, like solar power. Here are the common things that need electricity in a hospital.

Typical Loads in a Hospital:

• Medical Equipment: Includes machines and tools used for patient care, like life-support machines and diagnostic equipment.

• Lighting: Covers all lights in the hospital, including general lights, surgery lights, and emergency lights.

• Heating and Cooling: Keeps the hospital at the right temperature and airflow, important for patient comfort and health.

• Refrigeration: Powers fridges and freezers that store medicines, vaccines, and blood at the right temperature.

• IT Systems: Includes computers and servers used for patient records and hospital communications.

• Laundry Equipment: Runs machines that wash and dry hospital linens and uniforms.

Our Recommendation

The need for uninterrupted, constant power and possibly limited roof space necessitates rooftop solar power being used in conjunction with other sources of power such as utility power, diesel generator, and/or batteries.

Based on the unique needs and constraints faced by hospitals, Solar Mango recommends

Alternative 1 – With clear separation of loads:

Where it is possible for some loads (typically the lighter loads) in the hospital to be isolated and fed using a dedicated feeder, the following architecture can be used

1. Powering some critical loads – When combined with a battery bank, a solar plant can be used to reliably support some critical loads; which critical loads can be decided in consultation with the hospital’s infrastructure team. In the event of a power failure these loads will be supported by solar power and the battery bank will compensate for any deficiency in solar power at that time
2. Battery backup – The battery bank will be charged by solar power, and will support critical loads of the hospital for short durations during the daytime when solar output may be reduced. Night time support is also possible, depending on the size of the battery bank. NOTE: (Battery sizing decides the duration of battery backup available. Batteries add significantly to the cost of the project, need to be replaced every few years, require maintenance, and impose weight and space requirements. Therefore we recommend limiting the battery bank to about an hour of backup).
3. Hybrid inverter – A rooftop solar PV system that utilises a hybrid inverter will allow the solar plant to integrate with a diesel generator. Here the rooftop solar plant serves to reduce diesel bills by supporting part of the load

• Integrating a rooftop solar plant with a diesel generator involves several challenges (discussed here) that need to be overcome with careful design and sizing of the rooftop solar plant

Alternative 2 – Without clear separation of loads:

If it is not possible to isolate critical loads through a dedicated feeder, the solar power will have to be fed along with the diesel generator/EB power to the entire facility. Such a plant will contribute to savings in diesel, but support to specific loads in the event of a power failure will not be provided.

This configuration also require a hybrid inverter, but batteries will not be required. It should be noted that in the event of a power failure, if the DG is shut down the solar plant will also shut down.