SunCare Hub: A Solar-powered Portable Basic Healthcare Facility for Rural Areas

Abstract

Rural communities are globally faced with depopulation challenges caused by urbanization, jeopardizing their role in preserving national heritage. This case study investigates the feasibility and impacts of the SunCare Hub, a solar-powered mobile healthcare facility in the context of rural areas in Spain and Sweden. The integration of monocrystalline solar panels forms the focal point, with the study undertaking an assessment of technical, social, economic, and environmental aspects. The technical analysis examines solar panel area requirements, factoring in variables like energy consumption, solar irradiance, and efficiency. Findings indicate fluctuating panel surface needs across seasons, presenting an opportunity for energy backup through battery systems. In Spain, the societal impacts concentrate on mitigating rural depopulation, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Good Health andWell-being (SDG 3) and Sustainable Cities and Communities (SDG 11). The SunCare Hub emerges as a solution to enhance healthcare accessibility, uphold cultural identity, and contribute to the revitalization of rural areas. In Sweden, the project strategically addresses service inequalities between urban and rural regions, placing a notable emphasis on providing healthcare updates for elderly populations. Environmental considerations include the life cycle of solar panels, battery recycling processes, and solar photovoltaic (PV) recycling. Despite the energy-intensive nature of solar panel manufacturing, the short energy payback time favors their adoption over their extended lifespan. Battery recycling underscores sustainable practices, while PV recycling mitigates material depletion and toxic emissions. Economically, the study envisions a positive impact on rural repopulation, anticipating favorable outcomes for local economies, employment rates, and industry growth. The SunCare Hub’s potential to offer accessible healthcare aligns with socioeconomic benefits, reinforcing SDGs related to Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10). The study highlights the diversity of the SunCare Hub’s impact, emphasizing the imperative for holistic planning, further research, and validation to enhance sustainable healthcare solutions tailored for diverse rural communities.