According to some estimates, people worldwide spend about 40 Billion dollars on highly inefficient kerosene lamps for their basic lighting needs. Solar based technologies are readily available to allow these communities switch to more efficient ,clean and sustainable lighting sources. The main hurdle is of course the initial capital payment for solar panels, batteries etc.
One community in the northern province of Macuata on the second largest island of Fiji Vanua Levu , has just moved into the era of efficient lighting. A women's group in Visoqo village ,Macuata Soqosoqo ni Marama (Macuata Women’s Association) with the help of GEF,Canada Fund and International Women's organization(IWA-Shikha is a member ),Suva raised funds to install several Solar Home Systems within the community.A local company CBSpowersolutions did the installation of SHS systems.
Small portable solar lanterns are a great substitute for hurricane lamps and ordinary torches.Photo below shows such a lantern ( Solar Navigator) recently introduced here in Fiji. It is a compact lantern with a 9W CFL, a built-in solar panel and a 6V battery. The battery can be charged by solar energy or any electrical outlet.This is a very well designed product and comes with a radio or a motion sensor.My students are currently running some tests on these lanterns as part of their mini project- the lanterns were presented to our RE lab by Ajay Prasad ,director of CBSPS, .
Photos:CBSPS
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