In an innovative move to combat energy poverty, a group of doctors at Boston Medical Center (BMC) have begun issuing “prescriptions” for solar power. The initiative, known as the Clean Power Prescription program, is designed to help patients who are struggling to pay for essential utilities like electricity. By harnessing the power of solar energy, the program provides financial relief and addresses a growing concern in healthcare: the intersection of energy access and health outcomes.
Dr. Anna Goldman, a primary care physician at BMC, saw firsthand how her patients were being affected by unaffordable utility bills. This led to the creation of a program that combines the hospital’s sustainability efforts with its mission to improve public health.
From Health Concerns to Solar Solutions
The Clean Power Prescription program was born from the realization that energy access is an essential part of maintaining good health. Dr. Goldman found that many of her patients, particularly those with chronic medical conditions, were unable to afford the electricity needed for critical equipment like ventilators and refrigerators for medications.
“I had a conversation recently with someone who had a hospital bed at home,” Dr. Goldman recalled. “They were using so much energy because of the hospital bed that they were facing a utility shut off.” The mounting utility bills were not only a financial burden but also jeopardized the patients’ health and well-being.
This prompted Dr. Goldman and her colleagues to work on a solution. By utilizing the hospital’s new rooftop solar array, they could provide monthly utility credits to patients, helping them maintain access to electricity without the added stress of high costs.
A Solar Array with a Purpose
Boston Medical Center’s rooftop solar array is key to the Clean Power Prescription program. The array, consisting of 519 solar panels, generates energy that benefits both the hospital and the patients enrolled in the program. While half of the energy produced powers the hospital itself, the rest is funneled into credits that help reduce patients’ electricity bills.
Kiki Polk, one of the program’s first recipients, benefited from this arrangement. As a mother and a patient with high blood pressure and diabetes, she was often forced to choose between paying for utilities or buying necessary medical supplies.
“It’s a huge relief,” said Polk, smiling as she turned on the air conditioner in her home. “This is my best friend and my worst enemy,” she added, referring to the much-needed air conditioning during her pregnancy. Without the help of the Clean Power Prescription program, she would have had to sacrifice vital comfort to save on electricity costs.
A Broader Impact on Health
The connection between energy access and health is profound. Research has shown that insufficient heating or cooling can exacerbate respiratory issues, mental distress, and sleep deprivation, all of which disproportionately affect low-income populations. Dr. Goldman’s initiative not only addresses the financial burden of utility bills but also directly contributes to improving the quality of life for these patients.
“There is so much that factors into health outcomes,” Dr. Goldman said. “This program is part of a broader effort to ensure that our patients have what they need to stay healthy.” By providing renewable energy solutions, the hospital is taking a holistic approach to healthcare.
This model is groundbreaking, with experts like Dr. Aparna Bole, a pediatrician specializing in climate change and health equity, calling it a pioneering approach. “To be able to connect those very patients with clean, renewable energy in such a way that reduces their utility bills is really groundbreaking,” Bole stated.
Overcoming Obstacles in the Solar Initiative
While the program has already seen success, getting it off the ground was no simple task. The logistics of providing solar credits to individual patients required coordination between Boston Medical Center, utility providers like Eversource, and the patients themselves.
Eversource’s vice president for energy efficiency, Tilak Subrahmanian, acknowledged the complexity of the project but highlighted the importance of its success. “If other institutions are willing to step up, we’ll figure it out because there is such a need,” Subrahmanian said. The pilot program has proven that such initiatives are not only possible but also necessary.
The team at BMC is hopeful that more institutions will follow their lead in providing clean energy solutions to those in need.
A Cost-Effective Model for Healthcare
The Clean Power Prescription program also benefits from funding through the federal Inflation Reduction Act, with BMC receiving $1.6 million to fund the solar installation. Sixty percent of this funding came from federal support, which allowed the hospital to offer the program to its patients at no additional cost.
Robert Biggio, BMC’s chief sustainability and real estate officer, is already looking ahead to expand the program. “Our goal is to scale this pilot and help a lot more patients,” he said. Future plans include $11 million worth of additional solar installations, which would increase the number of patients who can be served by the program by tenfold.
However, Biggio also acknowledged that the demand for such services far exceeds the capacity of the current pilot.
Collaboration to Scale the Program
Boston Medical Center is currently seeking partners to help expand the program further. These partnerships would allow more solar energy to be shared with patients while also providing financial incentives such as higher federal tax credits.
The hospital’s ambition is clear: expand the program to more patients while promoting renewable energy and improving health outcomes for underserved communities. “This just seemed like the right thing to do,” said Biggio, reflecting on BMC’s long-standing commitment to the health of lower-income populations.
The Future of Clean Energy Prescriptions
As more hospitals look to incorporate renewable energy into their healthcare models, the Clean Power Prescription program serves as an inspiring example of what can be achieved when healthcare and sustainability intersect.
Experts are already looking to BMC as a model for other institutions that might want to implement similar initiatives. Dr. Bole, for one, is using the program as a case study to show how hospitals can integrate clean energy with patient care.
With growing interest in the potential of solar power to enhance healthcare, the future looks bright for patients and hospitals alike. The success of the Clean Power Prescription program demonstrates how collaboration and innovation can lead to better health outcomes and a greener planet.
Read More: Lahaina Fires: One Year On, Native Hawaiians Reach Another Breaking Point
This content has, in part, been generated with the aid of an artificial intelligence language model. While we strive for accuracy and quality, please note that the information provided may not be entirely error-free or up-to-date. We recommend independently verifying the content and consulting with professionals for specific advice or information. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the use or interpretation of this content.