Hardenberg’s solar system will power clinics in Zambia

More than two dozen clinics in Zambia will soon be running on a solar energy system pioneered in Hardenberg. Henk Meulink (63) has developed the system that will provide free electricity to small hospitals in remote areas that are not connected to the electricity grid.

The system is called “The African Solarbox” and consists of six solar panels and eight batteries. Together they supply a maximum of 10 kilowatt-hours of electricity per day. This is enough for lighting, a refrigerator with medicines, and maybe some smaller equipment. During the day, the solar panels provide power directly, and at the same time charge the battery, so that there is enough power to get through the night.

Myolink shows his device in the video:

At the beginning of February, 24 of these solar boxes will be shipped to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. From there, the container will make another 2,000-kilometre journey into northwest Zambia.

In Lukulu, solar boxes will be further distributed: “The boxes will soon have to go to the country one by one on the back of an off-road vehicle,” says the entrepreneur from Hardenberg.

Once on site, the legs are attached and the solar panels on the roof unfold. Three on one side, three on the other side, then the plug can be placed. “Once they hit, they can last for years,” says Meulink. RTV East. “This is the way to provide long-term energy to remote areas without cost.”

The cost of developing, building and transporting the African Solar Funds is 350,000 Euros. This amount was provided by the Our Energy Foundation, which Meulink himself created. Each year, 10 percent of his private company’s profits in solar panel systems go to the foundation. In addition, an individual donated a large amount.