d.Light S20

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$18.95

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The d.Light S20 was available through international dealers and Amazon. d.light also reaches communities via the Give a light program in collaboration with Kopernik.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include M-KOPA IV Solar Home System and Barefoot Connect 620.

Manufacturing/Building Method

This solar lantern is mass customized in d.Light's four hubs in Africa, China, South Asia and the United States.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

Before its discontinuation, users could obtain the S20 Solar Home System directly from the manufacturer dealers worldwide, by purchase online in the d.Light catalogue and through partner organizations like Kopernik and Living Goods.  

Distributions to Date Status

Distribution to date about the S20 solar lantern is unknown, however, d.Light has sold over 20 million solar lights and power products in 62 countries through the four centers in Africa, China, South Asia and the United States, based on calculations done using d.light's developing world sales and United Nations and International Finance Corporation research. The product is now discontinued.

Design Specifications

Design specifications include the upper face with the integrated solar panel and glow-in-the-dark button, LED light with two brightness settings (standard and high) and LED indicator for solar charge intensity. This product includes a multiple-setting handle that allows flexible usage. It is weather resistant to sun and rain.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

d.Light provides dealer support through field-based staff, marketing materials, and in-country call centers. For further support, contact the manufacturer.

Replacement Components

The new S20 series does not need a battery replacement. Free 2-year replacement warranty with 3 - 5-year average lifetime. Replacement parts are available anywhere d.light is sold. ^{Interview with representative}

Lifecycle

Over 5 years maintenance-free lifetime, including the battery. Over 60.000 hours of lifecycle for the LED light. The product has 2-year warranty.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

By 2020, d.Light aims to reach 100 million people with their lighting products.

Vetted Performance Status

According to Lighting Africa (specifications sheet not available anymore), when fully charged, the battery runs on a total of 6.5 hours and 4.5 hours per day of solar charging, giving 4 hours of LED light on high brightness and 8 hours on medium setting. The total light output is 29 lumens, resulting in a 0,2 m2 illuminated area with more than 25 lux. The total lightning service is 130 lumen-hours per solar day. 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 d.Light S20 received a score of 42/100.   Full findings are available in their report.

Safety

None specified

Complementary Technical Systems

The S20 can also be charged from a USB source using the USB cable or a standard Nokia AC charger. For Standardized Specifications Sheet, contact the manufacturer. d.Light commercializes multiple solar products from solar lanterns to solar home systems.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

IEC Technical Specification 62257-9-5 which is informed by Lighting Global's three complementary sets of test methods —the Quality Test Method (QTM), the Initial Screening Method (ISM), and the Market Check Method (MCM). CE certification; IEC 60598-1, IEC 60598-2-4, EN 55015, EN 61547 compliances. Country certifications for East & West Africa (SONCAP, PVoC)

Evaluation methods

The Quality Test Method (QTM) is the full test method used to verify comprehensive product performance. Results from QTM testing are used to determine if a product has met the Lighting Global Minimum Quality Standards.   Lighting Global Durability tests passed: Drop test, switch cycling, physical ingress protection test, and protection from frequent rain   The Comprehensive Initiative on Technology Evaluation (CITE) at MIT evaluated personal-use solar lanterns according to a comparative framework for the evaluation of products, similar to the model used by the U.S. nonprofit organization Consumer Reports along the dimensions of Suitability, Scalability, and Sustainability. Students and faculty collected data on 11 solar lantern models from both field and laboratory tests, as well as through interviews, surveys, and participant observation of product users and Solar Sister distribution agents.

Other Information

Similar to this product, there is the S30 solar lantern commercialize by d.Light.