> Posted by David Levaï
Unpacking Solar Kits in Mali
We are pleased to announce that today, on March 15th, the Center’s Energy Links Project received its first batch of 400 Solar Kits delivered to Bamako, Mali, and that distribution operations are beginning as we speak. This milestone comes at the heels of a year of efforts in identifying the right partners to establish a commercial venture and play the roles of importer and distributors. Energy Links has recently entered an agreement with HORONYA, a leading importer of solar material in Mali. The fifteen year-old company that had the desire to make solar solutions available to poor Malian households and it will be supported in this endeavor by a range of MFIs and NGOs with a network of savings groups as its retail channel, in particular to reach remote rural areas and off-grid households.
Each kit contains two LED lamps, a small, portable solar panel and a cell phone charger. Best of all, each kit will be sold for less than US $25! We understand that the price is within the purchasing power of most clients, but some will need a loan from their savings groups while a few others will be able to pay cash.
With 800 solar lamps on the ground and in Malian households, we are excited to bring improvements to people’s life by offering a low cost, fuel efficient, health friendly and environmentally friendly lighting source.
To learn more about the Center’s Energy Links Project >
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11 comments
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March 15, 2010 at 1:27 pm
Elisa Rkaca
This is an amazing project bringing together environmentally friendly energy solutions and development. Congratulations!
March 15, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Peter Burgess
Dear Colleagues
I am not sure that I would describe this project as amazing. I just do not know enough. The first question is whether or not spending $25 on this kit is a priority for a poor client in Mali … maybe it is, but I don’t know. If the price is going to be $25, what is the cost? If the supply of this item at $25 is unprofitable, then this project will have no sustainability and will not scale. I would agree that the project has potential … but only if the economics are right. If the availability of light makes it possible to enhance reading and learning, that has a big value … but the problem is that there is nothing yet where value is bankable.
Peter Burgess
Community Analytics (CA)
March 15, 2010 at 2:46 pm
cegog
If it only helps with the health of the household, it would be a tremendous first benefit. Do we know whether families stop using their fuel-based lamps when they have a solar lamp? or if they use both?
March 15, 2010 at 2:41 pm
cegog
Congratulations on this first step! I am sure that Malians can’t wait to receive thousands more of such kits, as it appears to drastically improve their everyday lives, in offering an alternative, safe, healthy, efficient lightning source and in lowering energy costs on the long run. I am glad that ACCION is taking the energy challenge seriously, realizing that, with the world population constantly growing, people will need to have an easy access to afordable, safe energy sources.
What are your plans for the future? What are the goals of energy Links? More lamps being delivered? New countries where it would be delivered.
Anyay, keep up the good work.
March 15, 2010 at 4:25 pm
Peter Burgess
Dear Colleagues
So the value proposition is (1) improved health because there is less use of kerosene lamps (2) there is improved learning because reading becomes possible when there is light (and books … and literacy) and, (3) cost of kerosene for the family is reduced. Is there anything else? Any thoughts on what these values are when quantified?
Peter Burgess
Community Analytics
April 10, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Steve Schafer
Hello. I have a PR4 solar lighting blog located at solarlightssite.com and think it could benefit both of us to exchange links. I also have a related support site that is PR3. Please let me know if you are interested.
Steve
May 26, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Solar Kits
How much does these solar kits cost, are they afordable for the locals. Great to see good projects like this.
May 27, 2010 at 3:56 pm
accionman
Yes the kits are affordable for low-income households since they cost just under $23, the equivalent of 5 months of daily use of kerosene. Therefore they are amortized in less than 6 months and then provide clean and free light for another one and a half year before replacing parts (LEDs or batteries) at an even lower cost.
David
June 8, 2011 at 10:58 am
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June 15, 2011 at 10:01 am
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June 3, 2013 at 10:40 am
personal loans
I have only read a couple of posts but I’m already hooked. Need to keep aside a whole afternoon going through the forums on here.