Six solar-powered healthcare facilities are supporting reliable medical services for more than 200,000 people in rural Karnataka.
BENGALURU (India CSR): More than 200,000 people in rural Karnataka are receiving improved access to essential healthcare through six solar-powered health facilities developed under Beyond2020, an initiative of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, in partnership with SELCO Foundation.
The facilities use solar energy, battery storage and energy-efficient medical equipment to support healthcare delivery in remote communities where electricity supply is limited or unreliable. The initiative aims to help patients access healthcare closer to their homes and reduce the need to travel to larger cities.
Six Health Facilities
The deployment covers six healthcare facilities across Karnataka. Each centre has been equipped with solar photovoltaic systems capable of generating between two and 15 kilowatts of power during peak sunlight.
The systems are supported by off-grid solutions and lithium-ion battery banks. According to the release, the batteries can provide electricity for around 1.5 to two days, helping health services continue during power disruptions.
The project was implemented by Bengaluru-based SELCO Foundation, which received the Zayed Sustainability Prize in 2018. The non-profit organisation works on sustainable energy solutions linked to poverty reduction, healthcare and environmental sustainability.
Medical Care Support
The health facilities have received energy-efficient medical technologies for maternal, neonatal and general healthcare services.
The equipment includes portable baby warmers, phototherapy units, foetal monitors and assisted ventilation devices. An immunisation carrier supports temperature-controlled transportation of vaccines.
Digital stethoscopes, spirometers and other diagnostic tools are being used to support the treatment and monitoring of non-communicable diseases. Telemedicine units, digital microscopes and tele-dermatology systems also allow healthcare workers to connect patients with specialists remotely.
Mobile Health Clinic
SELCO Foundation also collaborated with the Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement to deploy a mobile health clinic. The organisation works to improve healthcare access in rural communities.
The mobile facility continues to provide healthcare services in remote areas and supports the long-term reach of the programme, the release stated.
Energy and Healthcare
India has more than 30,000 primary health centres and around 150,000 sub-centres, with many located in remote regions. Healthcare delivery in such areas can be affected by weak infrastructure, unreliable electricity and the limited availability of diagnostic equipment.
Power disruptions can affect vaccine storage, medical equipment, maternal care and diagnostic services. The solar-powered model seeks to address these challenges by providing a reliable source of electricity for essential healthcare operations.
“Energy is a catalyst for better healthcare,” Harish Hande, CEO of SELCO Foundation, said. He added that the organisation aims to expand the model across India so that sustainable energy can contribute to better health outcomes in remote communities.
Wider Global Programme
Beyond2020 is supported by partners including the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development, BNP Paribas, Mubadala Energy, Masdar and Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank.
The initiative has completed 19 deployments involving energy, health, water and food-related solutions across several countries. According to the release, these projects have reached more than 429,800 people globally. Colombia has been identified for the programme’s 20th deployment.
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