Espace partenaire
World’s first solar powered ambulance transported by Cargolux free of charge
Student team Solar Team Eindhoven of TU Eindhoven has tested Stella Juva, the world’s first solar energy powered ambulance, in Kenya. The vehicle is designed to make medical care accessible to people in the most remote areas where poor infrastructure and a lack of fuel or electricity limit access to healthcare.
Stella Juva was developed by 23 students from Solar Team Eindhoven with the aim of making medical care accessible to people in remote areas where reliable infrastructure, electricity and fuel are lacking.
Through this initiative, Solar Team Eindhoven wants to both accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable future, and create social impact. For the development, the team worked together with the international health organisation Amref Health Africa.
Unlike a traditional ambulance, Stella Juva brings care directly to the people. On location, the solar ambulance generates energy using solar panels on the roof and on extendable panels at the side. This energy is used both for driving and for powering medical equipment.
Transporting Stella Juva
Bringing Stella Juva to Nairobi, Kenya, where the testing phase began, required a lot of logistics and planning. That is where the team received support from Cargolux, who transported the vehicle free of charge from Luxembourg to Nairobi.
“True to its pioneering legacy, Cargolux is proud to support innovation by facilitating the transport of the vehicle to Nairobi. Through our specialist logistics expertise, we help innovative ideas reach the communities where they can make a meaningful difference.”
Richard Forson, President & CEO of Cargolux.
Without this support, Stella Juva would not have reached the roads and terrain it needed for proof of concept. This collaboration reflects a shared belief that solar innovation creates value once it is tested where it is needed most.
Difficult terrain
The team has tested Stella Juva at various field locations in the region around Narok. The solar ambulance is approved for public roads. Stella Juva could therefore be deployed on both paved and unpaved roads, similar to the conditions in which the vehicle will ultimately be used. For example, the team travelled for six hours over challenging roads to reach a remote field location in Mosiro.
In total, the team covered more than 700 kilometres. This has demonstrated that the solar ambulance is reliable and continues to function well under challenging conditions.
Capacity for medical care
Stella Juva is equipped with medical equipment that health organisations urgently need in remote locations. Among other things, the solar ambulance carries an X ray machine, an ultrasound device, an AED and refrigeration for vaccines. While stationary, Stella Juva generated more solar energy than was being consumed at that time.
This means the solar ambulance can function completely independent energy-wise, allowing care providers to keep using medical equipment at all times.
Press release and picture by Cargolux
