The Power of Partnership: Solar Chill

Solar Chill is a global initiative that is developing a climate- and ozone-friendly vaccine cooler that is powered by solar energy and which will directly help improve the health of children in developing countries.

The technology is publicly-owned and will be freely available for any company in the world interested in producing SolarChill units.

The partners include UNEP OzonAction, UNICEF, WHO, Danish Technological Institute, Greenpeace, GTZ Proklima, Programs for Appropriate Technologies in Health and the private sector companies Vestfrost and Danfoss.

SolarChill Initiative

President of India becomes first purchaser of Solar Chill

On 1 November 2006, the President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is became the first buyer of the SolarChill vaccine refrigerator. Two SolarChill unit were installed in the medical clinic of the President’s estate in New Delhi, called the Rashtrapati Bhavan. See the partner's press release at right.

The ceremony was attended by SolarChill partners and dignitaries from the 18th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol.

(click on image to enlarge)

The President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam (center), Mr Shafqat Kakakhel, Deputy Executive Director of UNEP (left), Mr Rajendra Shende, Head UNEP DTIE OzonAction Branch (right) examining the SolarChill unit during the ceremony at the President's residence

Solar Chill and the Millennium Development Goals

This multi-partner, public-private initiative contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, specifically: :

• Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
• Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
• Goal 8: Develop a global partnerhip for sustainability

For more information see the Solar Chill initiative web site at right, or read our brochure: SolarChill - the vaccine cooler powered by nature

Solar Chill Wins Prestigious Industry Award The Solar Chill initiative has won the prestigious 2006 Cooling Industry Awards in the category "Environmental Pioneer" for refrigeration. Information note Organized annually by RAC magazine in the United Kingdom, the Cooling Industry Awards recognize developments of new technology and approaches that protect the environment and make commercial sense. The SolarChill Project was one of 12 winners, alongside some of the world's biggest retailers, major end users, and refrigeration professionals. Solar Chill won the award for the "Environmental Pioneer – Refrigeration" category. The award ceremony took place on 4 October 2006 in London. For more information, visit the Cooling Industry Award website. click on picture to enlarge From left to right: SolarChill Project representatives Per Henrik Pedersen (Danish Technological Institute), James S. Curlin (UNEP), Janos Maté (Greenpeace International) and Wolo Lohbeck (Greenpeace Germany).