The Need for Reliable and Durable Solar Lanterns in Third World Countries

Introduction

Solar lanterns are gaining wide popularity especially in the third world countries. Un-energized rural areas are finding solar light a very efficient substitute to kerosene lamps. Solar energy provides adequate home lighting for children to study well and parents to pursue some money making ventures after sundown.

The durability and reliability of solar lanterns come into focus now because rural people are convinced of its benefits and advantages and are seriously thinking of acquiring one.

Brief description, uses and how solar lantern works

Solar lanterns are the portable source of light powered by energy of the sun. These are environmental friendly lamps producing light at no cost and specially designed for household use in remote rural areas and far villages not reached by grid electricity.

People use solar lanterns when travelling at night similar to battery operated flashlight. They are also used to provide street lighting in rural areas.

Solar lanterns work by converting sunlight to energy. It uses a solar panel that collects the solar energy during daytime to charge up a cell battery. The stored energy powers the lantern at night. A whole day of battery charging can sustain 4 to 5 hours of light at night.

Batteries are designed to withstand many charges and discharge cycles. In the conventional lanterns the battery is charged by the domestic electricity point, but in solar lanterns the battery is charged by solar energy

Stored power can be recharged every day. Solar lantern does not require any wiring and are weather proof which makes them a highly versatile, reliable and dynamic source of light in all the conditions.

Desirable product features of solar lanterns

1. It must be durable and reliable and can withstand years of use. Kenya, one of the proponents, had produced solar lanterns since 2004 and had gained wide acceptance.
2. The lamp should be versatile. It can be placed on the floor, hang from a peg on a wall, and be carried like a flashlight or worn around the neck.
3. It can withstand drops to the floor.
4. It is designed simply so that it is easily taken apart to be fixed if something goes wrong.
5. It must have LED (light emitting diode) as the source of light. LED lamps consume very small amount of power. This increases the duration of time the lamp burns from the power stored in the battery throughout the day. The LED lamps also have long life extending well beyond 50,000 hours. LEDs are durable and reliable of surviving extremes of temperature, weather, vibration and Ultra Violet (UV).

Other features to consider

1. It must be priced right. To the rural folks, the right price is one that is affordable to them. It must be within their reach.
2. It must have a built-in micro financing component to help rural people acquire the lantern.
3. The lantern manufacturer must have a well organized and reliable after sales service.
4. Solar lanterns must be available when people want to buy a unit including the spare parts that may be needed for repairs.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed

Solar Lanterns for Rural Areas: A Practical Approach to Brighter Homes in the Philippines

Introduction

The Philippines is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. It is a developing country with its share of rural areas unreached by electricity. Absence of electricity is most visible at night when all you see in homes is a flicker of light. It makes life difficult for people in the area to pursue substantial activities after sundown. Students can not study well and parents can not work on business to make extra income.

Why off grid solar lantern is applicable and practical

The archipelagic land base of the country makes the problem difficult for grid electricity to light the rural areas. It is expensive to build and may not reach islands and distant communities.

Here are 7 reasons why solar lantern is applicable and practical:

1. The country is endowed with plenty of sunlight which is the fuel used in solar lanterns. It is free and will never run out of supply.
2. The solar lantern is affordable. Kenya sells it at US $ 35. Suppliers in India sell at US $ 16.There are prospects for arrangements with foreign companies to manufacture lanterns here.
3. It is durable. The LED (light emitting diode) lamp if used 4 to 5 hours each day can last up to approximately 10 years. In Kenya, 15,000 lanterns have been produced since 2004. They plan to increase this to 100,000 by 2015.
4. Financing may not be a problem because the acquisition cost is low.
5. Training of personnel to service broken down units may not be a hindrance because it is one simple unit that should be repaired.
6. It is convenient to use because it is light and can be transferred from one place to another.
7. It enjoys a tremendous advantage over kerosene fueled lamp (kerosene is expensive, unhealthy because of the fumes, a fire hazard because it emits open flame and inadequate to provide good light).

Problems that may be encountered and recommended solutions

1. Rural folks remain doubtful of the durability, economy and applicability of solar unless proven otherwise.
Proponents for adoption will have to show and convince the rural people the benefits of solar light. This will involve massive information dissemination and demonstration. Each target community will have demonstration lanterns to showcase the product. To them to see is to believe that solar light undoubtedly is beneficial and superior to kerosene lamps.
2. Rural people find the price high. Up front cost may not be affordable to some.
Partial subsidy or financing may be arranged with local foundation, local government or financial institutions. Manufacturers of solar lanterns in other countries might be encouraged to produce here to bring down the cost.
3. Rural users may have fears that there may not be qualified personnel to undertake repair if they encounter problems with their lantern.
Proponents will have to prepare for this and will have personnel undergo training to provide effective and efficient after sales service.

What can fast track solar lantern adoption?

1. Establishment of economic factors first.
a. Can the consumers afford the up front acquisition cost? This has to be determined because this will certainly be a constraint in adoption if they find it is expensive.
b. Availability of subsidy or financing will certainly be significant incentive ones solar lanterns are accepted by the people. Developed countries like Germany and US have proven this an effective adoptive measure.

2. Acceptability of the solar lantern to the rural folks is the final deciding factor for its adoption. These people will have to see that the gadget is truly useful to them. All aspects involving acceptability must be carefully studied. The economic factors can not negate this.

3. Availability of trained service personnel for after service sales is very important to guarantee sustainable use of the solar lantern.

4. Availability of supply of solar lanterns and materials for repair must be guaranteed. This gives the assurance that solar lanterns can easily be acquired and repaired when needed.

While we have discussed solar lanterns in the context of Philippine setting, the information is likewise useful to un-energized rural areas of other developing countries.

We invite you to visit our Informative Solar Article page for more practical tips, simplified application guide and established solar benefits.

Author’s Box
Jacinto Demonteverde, Jr., the owner, is a strong advocate of solar power adoption. He writes practical articles to keep established and prospective solar users well informed. Visit him at: http://www.justsolarhome.blogspot.com. You are welcome to republish or reprint this article free of charge provided the content remains unchanged including the Author’s Box. No permission is needed

Off Grid Solar Light: A Viable Option to Promote Acceptance in Rural Developing Countries

Introduction:
Industry experts believe that solar light is one of the basic needs which could improve living conditions in rural developing countries. These areas have no access to electricity. The benefits of solar light encompass the field of education, health, economy and the quality of life of rural folks. The need for practical and applicable source of light should be searched and solar should be seriously considered.

The Problem

Are the rural folks fully convinced of the practicality and benefits of solar technology? If this question is not answered satisfactorily we have an acceptance problem and won’t get enthusiastic response.

Opinions vary on how solar light can be made available to the poor of developing countries. Some experts say that it should be off grid with the home solar panels likewise supplying power for TV, radio, cellphones, and other appliances.

Other proponents believe that solar power should be generated by a big array of solar panels and a grid built to distribute solar electricity to homes. These are sound propositions. In fact, these options have been tried in a number of developing countries but sadly not one claimed success.

What are the barriers to the acceptance of solar? Generally known are the high acquisition cost, lack of subsidy or financing, lack of trained personnel for after sales service, lack of local supplies and acceptability by the rural folks. Can solar light overcome these barriers?

The Role of Solar Light

A single off grid solar light can pave the way for wide scale adoption of solar energy in rural third world countries. How? Seven reasons:
1. It provides the simplest, most economical, applicable and practical demonstration the rural folks can see.
2. It provides a substitute to kerosene for lighting which is growing more expensive being a petroleum product.
3. Rural folks will find solar light more economical to use with free power from the sun. They will have extra cash for food and other needs of the family.
4. It is likewise healthful and safe to use than kerosene fueled lamps.
5. It is affordable. One foundation in Kenya sells it for US $ 35 per unit.
6. Subsidy or financing will not be a big constraint since the amount involve per family is small.
7. Since it is a simple individual gadget, training people for after sales service may not be a big problem.

The Solution

The many applications of solar power may be difficult for rural people to fully comprehend. There is a need to give solar energy in small doses for them to understand and see the benefits. A single off grid solar light is a logical start to convince them. At this stage, what is important is that a breakthrough into the household is initiated. Then the proponents can move on to the next level of solar application ones acceptance is established.

Rural folks believe that they should be shown that the technology works and improves their way of life. To them, to see is to believe. And we have to satisfy this perception. A demonstration is in order in this case.

The Use Solar, Save Lives Project

Special mention is made of the above Project founded by Evan Wadongo, a Kenyan engineer. He designed MwangaBora Solar Powered Lantern and distribute for free to the poor rural communities. Attesting to its applicability, some 15,000 lamps have been turned out since production started in 2004. Wadongo says his goal is to hit 100,000 by 2015. He plans to extend his project to other countries and is already training interns.

This is a Project worth serious consideration and hopefully foundations come across to lend a helping hand. Study and adoption by developing countries will boost acceptance of solar energy in rural areas where it is badly needed. Evan Wadongo concluded, "If every one of us started thinking about others before thinking about ourselves the world would be better,"