A solar-powered mobile clinic has successfully traveled 800 km throughout Kenya.

      Solar Team Eindhoven successfully drove their solar ambulance, Stella Juva, for over 800 kilometers across Kenya in partnership with Amref Health Africa, discovering that it produced more energy than it consumed while powering an X-ray machine, an ultrasound scanner, and a vaccine fridge at an off-grid clinic. The vehicle is now heading back to the Netherlands, facing funding challenges.

      This solar ambulance, constructed by Dutch students, covered more than 800 kilometers in Kenya, generating more electricity than it used during the project with Amref Health Africa. It differs from traditional ambulances as it contains an X-ray machine, an ultrasound scanner, and a refrigerator for vaccines, going directly to where the patients are rather than transporting them to a hospital.

      The team consists of 23 students from Eindhoven University of Technology and two other institutions. The vehicle is named Stella Juva. The significance of the journey lies in the challenging terrain, which included extensive travel on dusty clay roads and a visit to the clinic in Mosiro, a location without electricity.

      The most notable discovery was that when parked with all medical equipment operating simultaneously, it generated more energy than it consumed. “Stella Juva performed even better than we anticipated,” commented Isabella Wanningen from Solar Team Eindhoven. During travel, solar panels on the roof charge the vehicle, and additional panels unfold when it stops.

      No patients received treatment during this trial, but the team and Amref estimated that around 200 individuals could have been attended to over two days. This is not the team’s first extensive test; previous coverage followed an earlier Eindhoven solar car that traveled 1,000 kilometers across the Moroccan desert.

      The team has a history of designing solar vehicles dating back to 2013, with five alumni later founding Lightyear. However, Lightyear is facing challenges, having paused production of its €250,000 solar vehicle to shift focus towards a more affordable model.

      Now, Stella Juva is returning to the Netherlands. The challenge lies not in the engineering but in securing funding for future projects. Europe has allocated significant resources, with the Global Gateway package committing at least €2.625 billion toward health initiatives in Africa, including vaccines, manufacturing, and health systems. However, there are no funds specifically designated for a vehicle like this. A student team has demonstrated that the clinic can reach patients directly, but there is currently no financial support for such innovations.