[RE-wrenches] posting request

Steve McCarney stevemccarney54 at gmail.com
Mon Jul 2 07:37:03 PDT 2012


Hi Michael

Here is a post I request you make on behalf of the public health community
that uses solar vaccine fridges, mostly in developing countries.:

Dear Wrenches

UNICEF is searching for solar vaccine fridge experiences to help form new
policies for the next generation. I suspect some Wrenches will have some
stories to share since this applcation has been in use since the early
1980's.  Here is the general wording UNICEF will put out to the public
health community (note that while they are looking for “failures” there is
a recent report on successes).
"Solar power in health: What’s your story? Success has many fathers,
failure is an orphan. Yet, we can learn so much more from failure than
successes.  The amazing safety of modern flight is a result of this
systems-based analysis of failures.  In contrast, medical safety continues
poorly with a culture of 'blame' focusing on individuals rather than
systems diagnosis – and cure!  UNICEF and others are aiming to support
efforts to accelerate solarization of the cold chain, with benefits for the
planet as well as children who live in places with no reliable power source
– except the sun. We know that there have been many failures of
solar-powered vaccine fridges in the past.  We know that maintenance of the
battery and solar panel theft have been two important causes of failure. We
also heard that underestimated budgets and human aversion to change can
give a bad name to good technology. But we need to learn more. Contribute
to the safe flight of solar power and tell your story of its failure. What
was the project and where did it go wrong? What did you learn from it?

If you have stories (failure or success) I will compile your comments and
send on to UNICEF. Thanks, Steve McCarney, Solar Electric Light Fund”

Steve McCarney  |  Project Manager

Solar Electric Light Fund  |  www.SELF.org
Phone + 57 5 660 2118 (Colombia) +1 507 243 4303 (USA)
Email    steve at self.org
________________________________
Energy is a Human Right™
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