Hybrid Solar System for Rural Health Centre
Institutional Project | Rural Health Centre
Project Overview
Client Challenge
A rural health centre served a large catchment area but experienced frequent and prolonged grid outages. Critical services such as vaccine cold-chain storage, lab diagnostics and minor theatre procedures were regularly interrupted, forcing staff to rely on a noisy, expensive generator that could not always be fuelled in time.
AKO Solution
AKO carried out a detailed load assessment to separate critical and non-critical circuits. We then designed a hybrid solar + grid system with LiFePO4 battery storage, feeding a dedicated critical-loads distribution board that prioritises vaccine fridges, lab equipment, emergency lighting and selected sockets in the maternity and theatre wings.
Engineering Considerations
The system was sized for several hours of full autonomy on batteries, with smart inverter controls managing solar, grid and generator inputs. Surge protection, proper earthing and clear labelling were included to improve safety, while staff were trained on basic operation and escalation procedures so the system can be managed confidently day-to-day.
System Specs
- • 15 kWp solar array
- • 20 kWh LiFePO4 storage
- • Hybrid inverter
- • Critical-loads DB
Results
- • 24/7 power for fridges
- • Zero vaccine spoilage
- • Generator use minimized
- • Staff training provided
Where AKO Has Done Similar Clinic & Institutional Work
AKO has implemented solar and power-stability projects for clinics, schools and mission facilities in counties such as Kisumu, Homa Bay, Siaya, Migori, Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Busia, Kisii, Kajiado, Machakos and Nairobi. These sites often face weak or unreliable grid connections, so our designs are informed by real-world performance in similar environments.