Phaesun GmbH – 14.4 kWp Solar PV Off-grid Connect System (Eritrea)

This case study describes the installation of a 14.4 kWp solar PV off-grid connect system at Orotta Hospital in Eritrea, developed by Phaesun GmbH and funded by the NGO Archemed. The system was designed to provide a reliable power supply for pediatric cardiac surgery and neonatology wards, mitigating the impact of frequent power cuts and unreliable diesel generators. Operational since December 2014, the system integrates solar PV, battery storage, and existing grid/diesel backups to ensure uninterruptible power for critical medical services.

• The solar PV system was installed at Orotta Hospital to address frequent power blackouts in Asmara and the unreliability of diesel backup generators caused by fuel shortages and maintenance needs. The system specifically targets the pediatric cardiac surgery and neonatology departments, which are highly sensitive to power failures.
• The technical configuration of the system includes a 14.4 kWp PV generator consisting of 72 monocrystalline solar modules (200 W/24 V each) and a battery bank with 124 kWh storage capacity (OPzV). The system was designed to meet a peak load of 42 kW and a continuous critical load of 20 kW for three hours (60 kWh), providing approximately seven hours of power during the day without grid or diesel support and four hours of power without sunlight.
• The project utilized power management electronics from the Swiss manufacturer Studer, specifically six Studer XTH 8000 inverter/chargers and three Studer VarioTrack 80 MPPT charge controllers. The total project budget, covering material, installation, and transport, was EUR 75,000, funded by donations from the NGO Archemed.
• The system has been operational since December 2014 and is owned by the Ministry of Health (MoH), which is responsible for its operation and maintenance through a dedicated Technical Department experienced in solar-powered rural health facilities. Installation was carried out by a local company in collaboration with MoH technical staff.

APA

Alliance for Renewable Electrification (2020). Phaesun GmbH – 14.4 kWp Solar PV Off-grid Connect System (Eritrea). https://renewelec.org/case-study/phaesun-gmbh-144-kwp-solar-pv-grid-connect-system-eritrea/

Chicago

Alliance for Renewable Electrification. Phaesun GmbH – 14.4 kWp Solar PV Off-grid Connect System (Eritrea). 2020. https://renewelec.org/case-study/phaesun-gmbh-144-kwp-solar-pv-grid-connect-system-eritrea/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Alliance for Renewable Electrification |title=Phaesun GmbH – 14.4 kWp Solar PV Off-grid Connect System (Eritrea) |date=17 September 2020 |url=https://renewelec.org/case-study/phaesun-gmbh-144-kwp-solar-pv-grid-connect-system-eritrea/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{allianceforrenewableelectrification2020phaesun, author = {{Alliance for Renewable Electrification}}, title = {{Phaesun GmbH – 14.4 kWp Solar PV Off-grid Connect System (Eritrea)}}, institution = {Alliance for Renewable Electrification}, year = {2020}, month = sep, url = {https://renewelec.org/case-study/phaesun-gmbh-144-kwp-solar-pv-grid-connect-system-eritrea/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }