permaculture

["Joao Paglione" <joao@bambubrasileiro.com>]

Hello Permaculturalists,

Does anyone know of this company or had experience in installing low-cost
solar panels?

Thanks.

Cheers, João

-- snip -- snip --

http://www.brazilnetwork.org/
the alternative website for Brazil October 2003

ENVIRONMENT

DIY Solar: small low-cost solar panels

We offer materials and instructions for the assembly of simple low cost PV
panels for developing countries.

This technique can be used, for example, by existing rural NGOs to power
radios, etc or in the creation of small income-raising enterprises for
orphanages, local groups, etc, etc. There are many other applications but
the ones that interest us mostly are those useful to the poorest people!

So far we've found little support from those that could really help. We
rarely know why. Any suggestions are more than welcome!

--------------------------------------------------

BioDesign is a not-for-profit company involved with a solar PV project
supplying materials and instructions to people in Third World rural areas so
they can assemble affordable solar panels - those who are without mains
electricity and have no alternative to dry cells and wick lamps.
We do not supply orders for assembled units but plans are underway to
produce assembled units in the future in Kenya.

We have an unpaid volunteer in Africa who can visit to help with any
problems providing his expenses are paid.
He is due to be the project manager for the production of assembled DIY
Solar type units in Kenya.

We have people in African countries who have been arranging the local
assembly of our solar panels and, even including carriage from the UK, they
often find it is possible to power a 6v radio for under $2.
DIY Solar has very little resemblance to Solar Home Systems which far more!

Initially we supply samples and leaflets and then await the order of a Kit
that allows anyone to easily test the concept by solar powering several
existing local radios.
When sent an outline order, we forward a proforma invoice for whatever is
required. We have supplied samples to hundreds of contacts and projects are
underway in several countries.

DIY Solar training has been carried out in Madagascar, Kenya, Uganda and
Zanzibar.
The UK government DFID is considering funding evaluation trials in several
countries as well as the production of small panels in Kenya.

We are now introducing low cost LED torches using the latest developments in
bright white LED 'bulbs' and are also developing a mobile phone charger.

The following projects are planned or underway. We have supplied materials
for dozens of other projects but have not received any recent information
about their progress.

Nepal - Assembling of solar panels to power LED lamps
Kenya - Funding of AIDs orphanage by selling assembled DIY Solar products
Assembling of panels for radios.
Uganda - Individual selling framed DIY Solar panels as reported in Guardian
Weekly
Sierra Leone - Assembling panels for radios
Rwanda - Assembling of panels for radios and LED lamps to raise funding for
War Child homes.
Haiti - Assembling of panels for radios

Other projects underway in Malawi, Gambia, Nigeria, Congo but no details are
yet available

In summary this technique permits:
Large savings on cost of dry cells
Setting-up of small enterprises creating employment solar-converting radios,
etc.
Construction of low-cost solar arrays for solar charging of lead-acid
batteries for lighting, etc.
Replacing of wick lamps and candles with LEDs and small lamps.
Reducing pollution caused by dumping of many thousands of 'dead' dry cells
on farm land.
Create employment for those involved in projects or running solar charging
stations
Create enterprises hiring out mobile phones or laptops in rural areas
without mains charging.
We send low-cost sample kits for NGOs who wish to consider starting a
business with DIY Solar.
This does not require any knowledge of solar power or electricity.

We work in tamden with Box Aid that introduces various cooking techniques
into Africa including a special type of solar cooker that can also use fuel
after dark.

We intend to develop low-cost low-flow solar water pumping for shallow
wells.
We can also offer a low-cost unbreakable commercially-made solar panel
allowing solar converted radio/cassettes to be portable.

We now have an email group to whom we send regular eNotices reporting
progress. This includes several British embassy members abroad who contact
local NGOs trying to help them import solar materials.

An email from a Sierra Leone radio journalist contained the following
comment:
"They (rural people) cannot afford to buy radio sets and continue to buy
batteries (which dont even last long).
Ironically, the UNDP have being issuing very expensive so-called wind up
radios. I see this as a waste since the cost of one of those radios could
have bought over 40 radios that could be powered by solar panels.

What the problem is, is that no consultation is being made to determine what
is workable and practical for the rural people. The whole thing is very
political and ignorant on the side of the implementators. It is all just a
matter of the makers of the Baygen radios trying to sell their Luxurious
products which don't even make it to the actual people. People like me
should have being contacted for sound views and advice."

BioDesign, 15 Sandyhurst Lane, Ashford, Kent TN25 4NS UK
Tel/Fax +44-1233-626677

http://www.biodesign.org.uk