SOLAR LIGHTING PRODUCTS AND SMALL DC APPLIANCES PUT TO THE MARKET TEST: A 3 YEAR HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE

摘要

While in the developed countries the transition from AC to DC systems is a topic related to the introduction of electric vehicles and residential energy storage, in the low-electrified countries this choice is becoming more and more logical and cost-effective for the energy development. Starting from small solar lighting systems, we have already met the target of powering small DC appliances such as TVs, fans, radios and computers with solar energy. Recently the order of magnitude has changed significantly: a few years ago the market of solar lanterns was about 1 Wp, this number grew to 10 Wp with Solar Home systems and now it is nearly 100 Wp with kits provided with additional appliances, in continuous current. Public programs such as Lighting Global or Global Leap are playing an important role for standardization and technical verification of the products. However, today in most of the countries where these applications could bring greater environmental, social and economic benefits, there are many practical barriers, presented in this study, that impede the process of distribution of the products. In this study, based on our direct experience in more than 40 markets in the last three years, we are going to present the most common problems that hinder various stakeholders: end users, manufacturers, importers and distributors. In this field we analyze the role of the NGOs that can be extremely significant or counterproductive, depending on the approach that is being adopted. Simple donation mechanisms are likely to destroy the development of small local businesses that would need to be supported financially instead. Finally, the study will present proposals to make the development of these markets healthier, while maintaining some understandable commercial tools, such as custom duties, which many countries, especially in Africa, cannot do without.