Model SRY-002-2 Solar PV Lighting Kit

The Model SRY-002-2 is a further enhanced version of the Model SRY-002-1 Solar Lighting Kits and consists of two LED lights, a mobile phone charger & a separate battery charging compartment where rechargeable batteries can be charged for use in separate portable radios or torches. 
The larger Solar PV Panel consists of a 9V/2.5W solar module with a 5M cable that provides flexibility in being able to suitably locate the Solar Panel to maximise the solar input during the daylight hours, and still have enough length in the cable to extend the light to a point where it can be best utilized.  The Solar PV module has a life cycle of approximately 10 years.  The inbuilt controller provides protection against over-charging and over-discharging and also includes short-circuit protection.    The battery pack consists of 5pieces of AA size x 1800mAH NI-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries that are housed in a strong UV stabilized, heat resistant ABS plastic material for durability and longer life.   The LED Lamps that are supplied with the kit consists of 2 x 9V lamps with each having 18 Light Emitting Diodes (LED) together with a 4M cable.  A Mobile phone Charger connection in the battery pack allows direct mobile phone charging and several different types of plugs are supplied with the kit to cover most popular types of mobile phones.

In addition the Model SRY-002-2 has a separate compartment provided in the front of the ABS battery pack where two (2) 600mAH NI-MH rechargeable batteries, that are supplied with the kit can be charged during the daylight period as well.   These batteries can be used in a suitable flashlight or a portable radio.    After the solar PV module has been charged for between 6-8 hours there are three brightness setting options that can be used for the LED light.   The three settings will offer the following performance based upon both LED Lamps operating at the same time: Maximum Brightness for around 7 hours, Energy Saving mode for around 18 hours, and Low Brightness mode for approximately 45 hours of operation.   The Model SRY-002-2 instruction manual is available in English and French and dependent upon quantities other languages are available as well.   Each Kit weighs approximately 1.15 kilograms and is packed in a strong packaging box measuring 280mm x 210mm x 550mm.   Standard Packs comprise of 10 pieces per carton which measures 450mm x 310mm x 310mm and has a gross weight of 12.5 Kg.

By Mel Peatey

Model SRY-002-1 Lighting Kit

 The Model SRY-002-1 is a slightly enhanced version of the basic Model SRY-001E lighting Kit and consists of one LED light, a mobile phone charger & a separate battery charging compartment where rechargeable batteries can be charged for use in separate portable radios or torches.
The Solar PV Panel consists of a 9V/1.5W solar module with a 5M cable that provides flexibility in being able to suitably locate the Solar Panel to maximise the solar input during the daylight hours, and still have enough length in the cable to extend the light to a point where it can be best utilized.  The Solar PV module has a life cycle of approximately 10 years and is warranted for 5 years.  The inbuilt controller provides protection against over-charging and over-discharging and also includes short-circuit protection.    The battery pack consists of 5pieces of AA size x 1000mAH NI-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) rechargeable batteries that are housed in a strong UV stabilized, heat resistant ABS plastic material for durability and longer life.   The LED Lamp that is supplied with the kit is a 1piece x 9V with 18 Light Emitting Diodes (LED) together with a 4M cable.  A Mobile phone Charger connection in the battery pack allows direct mobile phone charging and several different types of plugs are supplied with the kit to cover most popular types of mobile phones.

In addition the Model SRY-002-1 has a separate compartment provided in the front of the ABS battery pack where two (2) 600mAH NI-MH rechargeable batteries, that are supplied with the kit can be charged during the daylight period as well.   These batteries can be used in a flashlight or a portable radio.    After the solar PV module has been charged for between 6-8 hours there are three brightness setting options that can be used for the LED light.   The three settings will offer the following performance: maximum brightness around 6 hours, energy saving mode around 12 hours, and low brightness mode approximately 50 hours of operation.   The Model SRY-002-1 instruction manual is available in English and French and dependent upon quantities other languages are available as well.   Each Kit weighs approximately one kilogram and is packed in a strong packaging box measuring 245mm x 195mm x 510mm.   Standard Packs comprise of 10 pieces per carton which measures 410mm x 280mm x 255mm and has a gross weight of around11 Kg.

By Mel Peatey.

Low Cost Solar Lighting Kits

In remote Regions of Developing Countries the people tend to use the traditional methods of either burning firewood, lighting candles or kerosene lanterns in order to provide lighting during the night time periods.  It is well known that candles and kerosene are expensive for these people as well as being harmful to the eyes - particularly when children are exposed to these types of lighting.   In addition, gathering firewood is heavy, hard work that is generally carried out by the women and sometimes the children of these communities and burning firewood can contribute to larger rural fires that can destroy large areas of vegetation.  Burning firewood is also not really environmentally responsible and could be considered to be somewhat of an unsustainable resource.  In many cases the remote Regions in Asia, Pacific Islands, and Africa are blessed with abundant amounts of solar energy which is freely available but is very much underutilized.  In order to overcome the problems with traditional lighting methods there has been a concerted effort to develop low cost, but effective solar lighting systems for these Regions.   The benefits of using the low cost solar lighting kits is that they are easy to install, are safe to handle, and simple to operate.  The solar PV lighting kits generate direct (DC) current which is totally safe to use unlike alternating current (AC) that is used in most developed world locations.   A NI-MH (Nickel Metal Hydride) rechargeable battery is used instead of lead-acid battery or NI-CD battery because of its long life, no memory effect, non-toxic, and is environmentally friendly.  Once the kit is installed, the sun will provide the energy needed to operate one 6V/1W LED lamp that is supplied with the Model SRY-001E (as illustrated above) for up to 8 hours after the battery is fully charged.   The expected life cycle of the Model SRY-001E lighting kit is approximately 10 years.  Over charging and discharging protection devices are incorporated into these lighting kits to simplify the use of the products.  Additional charging points are also available for other devices such as mobile phones.
 
Since the year 2009 over 100,000 pieces of the Model SRY-001E Lighting Kits have been installed in various parts of Africa and another 20,000 units have been sent to remote locations in South America.  The World Bank has recently conducted quality testing for the Model SRY-001E product and it has now been passed and has been accepted for their "Lighting Africa" Solar program.
There are a number of different Solar lighting kit models available in the range that are CE accredited and also include extra LED lamps and other charging options.  These kits have slightly larger solar panels that are capable of collecting the additional solar energy that is necessary to power the extra lights or charging points. 
 
By Mel Peatey