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.
Preface
Chapter 1 : An Introduction to Pico-solar
Chapter 2 : The Solar Resource
Chapter 3 : PV Solar Cells and Modules
Chapter 4 : Batteries
Chapter 5 : Lighting
Chapter 6 : Energy Efficient Appliances
Chapter 7 : Quality and Standards
Chapter 8 : Using and Maintaining Products
Chapter 9 : The Impact of Pico-solar
Chapter 10 : Challenges Facing the Market
Chapter 11 : Case Studies
Chapter 12 : Resources
References
Index
