BP Solar Vaccine Fridge for the Women's and Children's Health Project - July 1999

While in Manus the team also installed a BP Solar Vaccine Fridge System at the Department of Health at Lorengau. TE (PNG) successfully bid for the supply of 18 such systems to be installed in each Provincial Health Office throughout PNG. The systems will be used to train health officers in the maintenance required for such a system. Funded by AusAid through the Women and Children's health Program, the program is the basis for a countrywide vaccination process. 29 identical BP Solar Vaccine Fridge systems have also been supplied to the International Federation of Red Cross for installation on Bougainville. This will commence in September 1999. The debate of Solar Vs Kerosene Vs Gas will no doubt continue. While the cost of Solar systems is considerably higher than the others, the problem of constantly having to keep up the supply of fuel to a remote area is eliminated with Solar. TE (PNG) and BP Solar can design and supply complete Solar systems for Health requirements such as Communications, Water Pumping or Lighting.

The 4 x 75W BP Solar Panels mounted outside the Health Office. This height allows staff to fully understand how solar power operates.

TE's senior field project technician, Tau Lawrence explains to a health worker, basic maintenance of the 2-Volt PV STOR Batteries.

Tau completes final testing of the Solar Fridge system. The fridge is manufactured in Australia to WHO (World Health Organisation) standards.

Tau and John Korvemaa, TE's Technical Services Manager with the completed installation. The 6 x 2 Volt PV Stor batteries are housed in the box on the left.