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Aishwarya - India
In many parts of the world electric lighting is taken for granted. But for over 2 billion people who have no access to grid-connected electricity, the simple act of switching on a light is just a dream. An enterprising businessman, D.T. Barki has put his years of experience in the solar industry to use by developing a low cost solar lamp called Aishwarya.
The Need for Change
In India over 100 million families use kerosene lamps as this fuel is easily available and relatively cheap. However, these lamps do not provide good light intensity and are smoky and potentially dangerous. Many accidents and deaths have occurred when kerosene lamps have been knocked over. When one of D.T. Barki’s relatives was killed in such an accident it prompted him to look for a better way to provide lighting.
He had extensive knowledge of the solar photovoltaic technology and business implementing successful projects for over 20 years. But the industry had concentrated on more commercial products, ignoring the needs of those in remote rural areas, which had not been considered viable. Yet he could see there was a huge potential in providing affordable lighting for these marginalised people. In 1998 he set up Noble Energy Solar Technologies (NEST) in Hyderabad with the aim of producing clean, reliable and affordable solar lighting.
These simple lamps had to be portable and robust enough for use by children, women, farmers and storekeepers. A priority was to make it available at a price even the poorest could afford.
Aishwarya Lamp
The solution was an Aishwarya – a mini solar lamp that can provide light to those without electrical power. It has been named after the former Miss World and a renowned Indian Bollywood star, Aishwarya Rai, as it seems to combine the qualities she represents – beauty, brains, performance and looks.
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| The Aishwarya lighting kit |
At the NEST factory in Begumpet, Hyderabad, the first step of the manufacturing process is putting the housing together. Then the fluorescent bulb is inserted and enclosed in a plastic casing. The battery is fixed to the circuit board and connected to the bulb. The unit is finally tested, charged and is ready to go.
The solar panels consist of small solar cells suitable for 3 peak watts output, enough to power one mini-lamp. These are tested for the right voltage, tabbed together with copper wire and sandwiched between high transmission glass and polymer sheets. These sheets are laminated and cured in an oven at 150°C. The edges are then trimmed, taped and the panels fixed. All these operations related to the module manufacturing are carried out in a dedicated plant in Bangalore. The panels are then shipped to Hyderabad and packed along with solar lamp for distribution.
To ensure the longevity of the product the battery is guaranteed for three years and its solar panel for ten. About 100,000 solar panels can be produced each year at the NEST factory.
| These pictures depict the one-to-one light comparison between a kerosene-based lamp and solar mini lamp. |
Powered by solar energy, the Aishwarya lamp can provide a bright, constant white light for up to three hours. It costs just £18 ($32 / 1,400 Rupees (Rs.)), so most people can afford it, but there is a micro-credit scheme for those who are below poverty line (BPL) and would find this outlay too high. By means of this instalment plan they pay just Rs.100 a month over a year.
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Tribal hut-dwellers in Andhra Pradesh, India, with their solar mini lamp. This is the first time they have used any modern lighting system. |
The lamps are distributed through a network of local dealers who have close links with the community. Already there is a network in over 3000 villages across 17 districts in the State of Andhra Pradesh, with more than 50,000 lamps being sold here. Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are the other Indian states where Aishwarya lamps are promoted widely.
Making a Difference
Everyday life has been affected by the introduction of these lamps. Mealtimes are more hygienic as insects can be kept away from the food; farmers use the lamps to enable them to carry on working in the fields after dark; extra income is generated by processing the forest by-products at night; traders can stay open longer; and children are able to continue with their studies safely using a good quality light. D.T. Barki would like to extend the use of Aishwarya to the impoverished urban areas where again people have no access to the grid electricity service. Indian slums are the worst hit in terms of subsistence human living. At least, a community light where the slums’ children could study is expected to bring change in the lives of the new generations. “If just one child from each family has decent schooling, then they have the chance to get out of the slums,” says Barki.
In 2005 these achievements were recognised as NEST beat global competition to win the first prize of £30,000 ($50,000) in the ‘Award for Light’ category presented by Ashden Awards. This has prompted enquiries about Aishwarya from all over the world.
Now NEST has plans to go global as interest has been shown from as far afield as Nigeria, Somalia, Central America, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Australia and China. An order has been confirmed for one million solar lanterns from South Africa over a period of two years. He has developed links with companies in Japan where he sources the silicon feedstock necessary for the production of the solar panels. To expand this business D.T. Barki is thinking of manufacturing these units in China where production costs are substantially cheaper.
Future plans include developing solar streetlights, solar powered fans, and mini solar desk lamps. Unique programmes such as “Solar Seeding” and “Kerosene Hot-spots” are under way in promoting solar technology on a large scale and contribute towards NEST’s mission: a kerosene-free world.
Acknowledgements
Hands On would like to thank D.T. Barki of Noble Energy Solar Technologies (NEST) for help and advice in putting together this case study.
Further Information
Participating Organisations
Noble Energy Solar Technologies
A9, Aero View Towers
Shamlal Buildings
Begumpet
Hyderabad-500 016, AP
India
Tel: +91 40 27762559
Fax: +91 40 27767062
E-mail: dtbarki@usa.net
Website: www.solarnest.net
Other Relevant Hands On Case Studies
Glowstar - Kenya
http://www.handsontv.info/series2/
powertothepeople_reports/glowstar_kenya.html
Resources
Ashden Awards
The Ashden Awards reward outstanding, inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy schemes that both protect the environment, tackle climate change and make real improvements to people's quality of life. They are designed to encourage wider take-up of local energy solutions worldwide - proving to the public and policy makers alike that such schemes offer viable, practical ways of tackling poverty, resource shortages and climate change.
Website: http://www.ashdenawards.org/
The Awards are currently looking for applicants for next years awards and the appropriate information and application form is available on their website.
Practical Action Technical Information Service
Schumacher Centre for Technology & Development
Bourton Hall
Bourton-on-Dunsmore
Warwickshire CV23 9QZ
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1926 634462
Fax: +44 (0)1926 634401
Website: http://www.practicalaction.org/
?id=technical_information_service
ITDG Publishing
Schumacher Centre for Technology & Development
Bourton Hall
Bourton-on-Dunsmore
Warwickshire CV23 9QZ
UK
Tel: +44 (0)1926 634501
Fax: +44 (0)1926 634502
E-mail: marketing@itpubs.org.uk
Website: www.itdgpublishing.org
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