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Solar Energy Implementation for Health-Care Facilities in Developing and Underdeveloped Countries: Overview, Opportunities, and Challenges

Author

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  • Esteban A. Soto

    (Department of Engineering and Technology, Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701, USA)

  • Andrea Hernandez-Guzman

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, Mayaguez, PR 00682, USA)

  • Alexander Vizcarrondo-Ortega

    (Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, Mayaguez, PR 00682, USA)

  • Amaya McNealey

    (School of Industrial and Systems Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA)

  • Lisa B. Bosman

    (Purdue Polytechnic Institute, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA)

Abstract

Developing and underdeveloped countries face innumerable problems related to the accessibility and quality of energy that put the lives of patients, health-care infrastructures, and health workers at risk. Current approaches, such as grid power, unsustainable energy sources such as diesel or gas, and mobile health clinics, have proven insufficient to address this issue. In response, access to reliable health care and electricity has undergone multiple transformations in the last decade, especially in remote and rural areas. Good health and clean energy are two of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, originally designed to be a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.” Unfortunately, little is known about the interaction between health-care access and energy access in developing and underdeveloped countries, mainly in remote or rural areas. For this reason, this study conducts a review of the literature, including current approaches, challenges, and opportunities for the implementation of solar energy in health centers. As a result, several challenges and opportunities in three impact areas are presented: (1) operational, (2) environmental, and (3) economic. This study delivers detailed information that allows the implementation of solar energy in the health-care sector (in a more effective manner) by sharing best practices.

Suggested Citation

  • Esteban A. Soto & Andrea Hernandez-Guzman & Alexander Vizcarrondo-Ortega & Amaya McNealey & Lisa B. Bosman, 2022. "Solar Energy Implementation for Health-Care Facilities in Developing and Underdeveloped Countries: Overview, Opportunities, and Challenges," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:22:p:8602-:d:975101
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Surafel Kifle Teklemariam & Rachele Schiasselloni & Luca Cattani & Fabio Bozzoli, 2025. "Solar Energy Solutions for Healthcare in Rural Areas of Developing Countries: Technologies, Challenges, and Opportunities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-22, July.

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