Pico-Solar Electric Systems: The Earthscan Expert Guide to the Technology and Emerging Market

ISBN-13: 9780415823593 / Angielski / Twarda / 2014 / 206 str.

John Keane

Opis

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the technology behind the pico-solar revolution and offers guidance on how to test and choose quality products. The book also discusses how pioneering companies and initiatives are overcoming challenges to reach scale in the marketplace, from innovative distribution strategies to reach customers in rural India and Tanzania, to product development in Cambodia, product assembly in Mozambique and the introduction of 'pay as you go' technology in Kenya. Pico-solar is a new category of solar electric system which has the potential to transform the lives of over 1.6 billion people who live without access to electricity. Pico-solar systems are smaller and more affordable than traditional solar systems and have the power to provide useful amounts of electricity to charge the increasing number of low power consuming appliances from mobile phones, e-readers and parking metres, to LED lights which have the power to light up millions of homes in the same way the mobile phone has connected and empowered communities across the planet. The book explains the important role pico-solar has in reducing reliance on fossil fuels while at the same time tackling world poverty and includes useful recommendations for entrepreneurs, charities and governments who want to participate in developing this exciting and rapidly expanding market.

Spis treści

Preface  Chapter 1: An Introduction to Pico-solar  1. Pico-solar - A New Category of Solar Electric Power  2. System Components  3. The Pico-solar Market  4. Power to Transform Lives  5. Overcoming Traditional Solar Barriers  6. Market trends  Chapter 2: The Solar Resource  1. Introduction to Solar Power  2. Putting the Sun’s Energy to Work  3. Solar Radiation  4. Solar Incident Angle  5. Insolation  Chapter 3: PV Solar Cells and Modules  1. The Solar Cell  2. How Solar Cells Work  3. The Solar Module  4. Module Ratings  5. Module Output  6. Types of PV Modules  7. PV Wiring and Junction Boxes  8. PV Module Disposal  9. Prices and Innovations  Chapter 4: Batteries  1. Introduction to Batteries  2. Battery Chemistries  3. Prices and Innovations  Chapter 5: Lighting  1. Lighting Principles and Measurements  2. Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)  Chapter 6: Energy Efficient Appliances  1. Powering Small Appliances  2. Calculating Energy Needs  3. Calculating Module Size and Battery Capacity  4. Portable Electronic Appliances  5. Larger Solar Systems  Chapter 7: Quality and Standards  1. Standards and Quality marks  2. Product Life and Warranty  3. Product Performance  4. International Classifications  5. Product Testing  Chapter 8: Using and Maintaining Products  1. Selling Pico-solar Responsibly  2. Basic Repairs  Chapter 9: The Impact of Pico-solar  1. Light for Development  2. Economic Impact  3. Health and Safety  4. Education  5.  Environment  6. Communications  Chapter 10: Challenges Facing the Market  1. Reaching the Base of the Pyramid  2. Logistics and Supply  3. Distribution  4. Financial Barriers and Solutions  5. Marketing at the Base of the Pyramid  6. Customer and Aftersales Service  7. Import Taxes and Tariffs  8. Product Disposal and Recycling  9. Policy and Market Facilitation – The Role of Government  Chapter 11: Case Studies  1. SunnyMoney - Scaling Up in East Africa  2. Fosera – Manufacturing in Mozambique  3. Toyola Energy – Entrepreneurs in West Africa  4. Worldreader – Solar Charging E-readers in Ghana  5. Greenlight Planet: Direct to Village Distribution in India  6. Orb Energy – India  7. Kamworks - Creating Lighting Solutions in Cambodia  8. NWFT - Microfinancing Solar in the Philippines  Chapter 12: Resources 1. Further Reading  2. Industry Bodies, Initiatives and Programmes  3. Pico-solar Companies Specialising in Lighting Products  4. References

O autorze

John Keane is Managing Director and a founding member of SunnyMoney, the largest distributor of pico-solar lighting products in Africa. Previously, he was Head of Programmes for SolarAid, the international NGO that set up and owns SunnyMoney. He became acutely aware of the pressing need for affordable, renewable energy in off-grid communities from living in the village of Uhomini in rural Tanzania as a volunteer in 2000. He has since spent more than a decade leading and developing solar projects across east and west Africa and has played an instrumental role in building both SolarAid and SunnyMoney into respected international organisations.