Pico-solar Electric Systems

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.

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