Solar-Powered Refrigeration Systems for Kenya Sub-Counties Health facilities for COVID-19 Vaccines Storage; Opportunities, Challenges, and Future Prospects

Abstract

Abstract The economic prosperity plus technological growth of each & every county depend heavily on energy security, and the energy availability portrays the quality of life in that country. Solar energy is an alternative energy source for cooling systems where power is costly, unreliable, and unsustainable—the main options for electrically-powered refrigeration systems available for several years; are our gas and kerosene-driven refrigerators. The solar refrigeration system was a promising advancement in the early 1980s, creating an alternative to absorption technology to cater to the cold chain requirements in off-grid areas. The main objective of this research is to determine the feasibility of solar-powered refrigeration systems for rural dispensaries, sub-counties health centers, and health posts in Kenya; this is in line with the current COVID-19 pandemic, which demands that the vaccine be supplied to the local populace. This article provides essential recommendations on the solar-powered refrigeration system and highlights some critical parameters for the successful implementation of solar-powered refrigeration units into vaccination programs in the future, including; The supply chain of the vaccines in the country, the current state of the health system at sub-county hospitals, areas of improvements, and the recommendations