Updated on January 28, 2024

·

Created on July 12, 2016

Off-Grid Electric Solar Home System

Upcoming Update

An inclusive solar product with panels, batteries, and appliances.

Developed By
  1. Off-Grid Electric
Tested By
  • Lighting Global
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

This product has been discontinued. Off-Grid Solar Systems has been acquired by Zola Electric.

The Off-Grid Electric solar home systems are home level systems that include a solar array, battery, power electronics and end-use appliances, such as lighting, radios, device charging and television. As of August 2016, Off-Grid offers four system sizes including 12, 25, 50 and 80 watts with pay as you go functionality. Included in the above product images are the M30 and M120. In East Africa, Off-Grid Electric is known as M-Power.

Off-Grid Electric is located in Arusha, Tanzania with additional operations in San Francisco, California.

Target SDGs

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Market Suggested Retail Price

$800.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Off-Grid Electric is the main distributor with a sales team and several third party distributors.

Competitive Landscape

Manufacturing/Building Method

Off-Grid systems are mass manufactured.

Intellectural Property Type

Trade Secret

User Provision Model

Users can obtain the product from door to door sales, telesales and retail outlets.

Distributions to Date Status

Unknown

Description of power outputs

1 USB and 8 DC outlets

Description of light points

6 LEDs

Peak power rating (Wp)

12 – 80 Wp

Battery capacity (kWh; mAh)

30 – 150 Wh

Nominal battery voltage (V)

12 V

Battery type

Lithium iron phosphate

User replaceable battery (yes/no)

Yes

Remote system diagnostics (yes/no)

Yes

Payment structure

Pay-as-you-go

Mobile service required (yes/no)

Yes

Design Specifications

The Off-Grid solar home systems have a range of power outputs from 12 - 80 watts and include 6 light ports, 1 usb port and 12 power ports for appliances.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Users can call Off-Grid's 24 hour call center with questions or schedule a home visit for troubleshooting.

Replacement Components

Users can purchase replacement components through the call center, sales representatives or at retail outlets.

Lifecycle

The systems have an expected lifetime of 7 - 10 years with a 5 year warranty on the product and lights. There is a 1 year warranty on other appliances. ^(interview with representative)

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Unknown

Vetted Performance Status

Tests have been completed around ongoing reliability, environmental considerations and IEC tests for export. Lighting Global vetted the following parameters: - Full battery run time and run time per day - Total light output - Lamp type - Special features (mobile charging, radio, television and pay as you go) - Overall durability and quality standards tests (drop, soldering and electronics workmanship, mechanical, minimum warranty, performance reporting)

Safety

Be sure to follow proper electrical installation and control guidelines.

Complementary Technical Systems

Users can upgrade their system through Off-Grid to include a greater number of appliances.

Academic Research and References

This paper presents general information about solar power home systems:

Warnecke, T., & Houndonougbo, A. N. (2016), Let There Be Light: Social Enterprise, Solar Power, and Sustainable Development. Journal of Economic Issues, 50(2), 362–372.

Alstone, P., Gershenson, D., Kammen, D.M., Decentralized energy systems for clean electricity access. Nature Climate Change. 2015 Mar 25;5:305-314

Compliance with regulations

Lighting global certified, CE in process as of August 2016 and all applicable importation requirements for the markets served.

Evaluation methods

Payment rate, net promoter score, customer satisfaction surveys and light hours delivered.

Other Information

Further information can be found in this Ashden Award video, and this article on a solar education academy.

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