Solar Technology Partnership Supports Vaccine Cold Chains in Remote Areas

October 21, 2026 | Industry News

A new partnership between solar technology manufacturer SOLARWATT and off-grid refrigeration specialist Dulas aims to improve vaccine storage in remote communities where reliable electricity is not always available.

Announced on October 21, 2026, the partnership will bring SOLARWATT photovoltaic modules into Dulas' next generation of Solar Direct Drive (SDD) refrigeration systems. The equipment is designed to support the storage of vaccines and other temperature-sensitive medical supplies in locations where conventional grid power may be unavailable or unreliable.

Solar Power for Reliable Vaccine Storage

Maintaining the correct temperature is essential for vaccine storage. In many remote healthcare facilities, however, limited electricity infrastructure makes it difficult to operate conventional refrigeration equipment reliably.

According to the companies, each new Dulas solar direct-drive refrigerator will be supplied with two SOLARWATT glass-glass solar modules, providing more than 900 Wp of installed solar capacity. The system combines photovoltaic power generation with Dulas' refrigeration technology and phase change material (PCM) thermal storage.

The PCM technology is designed to help maintain vaccine storage temperatures between +2°C and +8°C for up to three days, even during periods of unsuitable weather, according to the partnership announcement. This capability is particularly relevant for healthcare facilities that face intermittent power supplies or limited access to maintenance services.

First Shipment Planned for Burkina Faso

The companies announced that an initial shipment of 20 solar-powered vaccine refrigerators is scheduled to leave Dulas' manufacturing facility in West Sussex, United Kingdom, in November 2026. The units are intended for Burkina Faso as part of an international humanitarian programme.

According to SOLARWATT and Dulas, each refrigerator has the capacity to store vaccines for approximately 10,000 children. The initial shipment therefore has the potential to support vaccination programmes serving up to 200,000 children, although the actual impact will depend on deployment and healthcare programme requirements.

The planned delivery highlights how solar-powered refrigeration can support essential medical services in areas where dependable electricity remains a challenge.

A Wider Role for Solar Refrigeration

The partnership illustrates that solar-powered refrigeration has applications beyond food storage and commercial cooling. By combining photovoltaic modules, specialised refrigeration equipment and thermal storage, these systems can help address cold-chain requirements in remote healthcare settings.

Reliable operation still depends on factors such as system installation, sunlight availability, equipment condition and proper temperature monitoring. Solar power does not remove the need for good cold-chain management, but it can provide an alternative energy source where grid infrastructure is limited.

As the first shipment prepares for deployment in Burkina Faso, the partnership offers an example of how solar technology can support healthcare infrastructure and the safe storage of temperature-sensitive products in off-grid communities.

Explore Edobo solar refrigeration solutions for off-grid applications and learn how solar power can support reliable cooling where grid electricity is limited.

News Source: SOLARWATT, "SOLARWATT and Dulas Partner to Strengthen Sustainable Vaccine Cold Chains," October 21, 2026; Dulas, "Dulas Partners with SOLARWATT: Setting a New Standard for Sustainable Cold Chain," October 2026.