Firefly Mini Gen 2.5

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$36.99

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Barefoot Power, Simba Telecom is the biggest mobile phone retailer in East Africa, with more than 30 retail outlets and hundreds of mobile dealers in Uganda. In December 2010, Simba selected the Barefoot Power Firefly Mobile Lamp to provide phone charging capabilities. One Renewable Energy Enterprise, Inc. “One Renewable” in the Philippines partnered with Micro Finance Institutions and local Distributors / Contractors to create a livelihood program that provides business opportunities for the community as well as maintain a strong and reliable sales and after sales network.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include d.Light S2, ToughStuff Desk Lamp Kit, and Sun King Pro SK-301 Solar Lantern.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Mass produced

Intellectural Property Type

Trade Secret

User Provision Model

Available for purchase directly from the designer via in-country distributors and global sales importers in 20 countries. In-country distributors, wholly or partly owned by Barefoot Power, are currently operating in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, and more are planned. Barefoot aims to expand to Asia and Americas (22 countries) to reach 10 million people. For international sales, the product can be purchased from Amazon  or Urjakart.

Distributions to Date Status

607,000

Design Specifications

Barefoot Power systems use a 1W to 15W photovoltaic (PV) module to generate electricity, and a rechargeable battery to store electricity. The solar lamp comes with a rechargeable battery that can be charged with the included solar panel. The rechargeable battery in the lamp will last up to 2 years depending on how the lamp is used. Replacement batteries and LEDs are available. The battery will fully recharge in 4-6 hours, if the panel is placed in direct sunlight. The lamp can be used to provide direct lighting or it can be hung up from its hook to provide ambient light. Comprised of tempered glass front and anodized aluminium frame with 3m long cable.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

List of service stations in Uganda available on Barefoot website. Service Stations provide servicing for all our Dealers, Entrepreneurs and End users, provided receipts are attached to the product taken to them for servicing/repair/exchange in the case of bad batteries or panels. Technical expertise required to put products into use

Replacement Components

Replacement parts available where sale was made and through Service Stations

Lifecycle

12 month manufacturer's guarantee on solar lamp. Batteries have an expected lifespan of 3 years.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Performance targets • Runtime: High: 4 hours, Medium: 7 hours, Low: 50 hours • Solar panel size: 1.5W • Solar charging time: 4 to 6 hours • Battery: 3.2V 500mAh Lithium Iron Phosphate battery. Lifetime of 3 years • Protected from over-discharge and over-charge • Rated to 1000 cycles • Panel: 800mW polycrystalline solar panel • Lamp: 5 SMD LEDs totaling 0.27W • After one day of charging the Firefly Mini provides 36 lumens for 4.2 hours on high setting, 4 lumens for 50 hours on low setting

Vetted Performance Status

Standardized Specification Sheet • Autonomous Run Time (full battery) :4.2 hours on “Brightest” setting • Lighting hours per solar day (PV only): 4.2 hours on “Brightest” setting • Light output: 36 lumens on “Brightest” setting • Nominal Battery Voltage: 3.2 volts DC • Battery Capacity: 500 mAh • Battery Protection: Active HVD and passive LVD The Comprehensive Initiative on Technology Evaluation (CITE) at MIT evaluated personal-use solar lanterns available on the market in Uganda and published the results in January 2015. The Firefly received the score of 58/100 and was demonstrated to have poor runtime on high setting. Full findings are available in their report  

Safety

Unknown

Complementary Technical Systems

Incorporating additional charging components (like radio) and charging capacity, durability and lumen output can help further improve the system.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Barefoot Power Firefly mini meets Lighting Global Quality Standards and Recommended Performance Targets.

Other Information

None