Solar powered ambulances are a hot way to keep medications cool. In Austin Texas, two new solar powered ambulances have been added to the fleet. Now, instead of leaving the engine running (and the A/C cranking) when patients are transferred into a hospital, solar panels on the roof of the vehicles generate power to keep medications at proper temperatures and also maintain other equipment.
Solar powered ambulances are helping to save fuel and money for the Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services. The EMS is following the lead of North Port Florida which has had solar powered ambulances in its department this year.
With solar panels on the ambulances, the engines can be turned off during transport times, which can take 1/2 hour or more. Equipment will still maintain full power, including refrigeration units for medication. Using free solar power instead of costly fossil fuels burned during engine idling, the department estimates that it will save up to $4000 per year to operate each solar powered ambulance.
Eventually the EMS plans to add 5 more solar powered ambulances to its fleet, for a total of 7. Savings of $28,000 per year will add up quickly – not to mention the lower carbon footprint!
Tags: solar energy, solar medical, Solar Panels, solar power, solar powered ambulances
