Solar Agro-Processing Power Stations

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$2,000.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Village Infrastructure Angels

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Solar Milling Small-Scale System.

Manufacturing/Building Method

This product is currently manufactured in China, through the company Project Support Services.^{Interview with Representative in 2020}

Intellectural Property Type

Select Type

User Provision Model

Users can obtain this product directly from Village Angels Infrastructure. A 3-5 year leasing contract is signed by female entrepreneurs, which run the solar agro-processing power stations within the village. Solar-powered milling is provided to final clients through a pay-as-you-go system. After delivery of the equipment, VIA provides local partners with training on how to install the renewable energy systems into rural villages, and local village operators and supply chain partners on technical aspects of the products, and business skills.

Distributions to Date Status

By 2017, more than 800 solar mills have been delivered, including 340 as cash sales and 270 on 3-5 year lease agreements.

Design Specifications

The solar mills work using direct current at 24 V, driven directly from the photovoltaic modules without any current conversion stage. The solar milling system consists of a set of photovoltaic modules, batteries, and a charge controller. The system is monitored remotely via a SIM card provided by Eseye. The company offers seven kinds of solar mills developed by PSS, intended to different tasks: rice huller, corn sheller, flour grinder, or coconut/cassava grater.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Provided by VIA.

Replacement Components

The mills are designed such that the replacement components are available in local stores. When this is not possible, replacement components are provided by the manufacturer. ^{Interview with Representative in 2020}

Lifecycle

5 years^{Interview with Representative in 2020}

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Village Infrastructure Angels has set the goal to serve with their products 1 million people by 2020. The solar mills can reduce the time of the hand-processing of staple crops from 1 hour to 5 minutes. By mechanizing this task, usually performed by women, the time saved can be used to support children's education. In particular, girls are avoided to be pulled out of school to help with manual agro-processing.

Vetted Performance Status

None

Safety

Users should be aware to properly handle the electric components of the mills. Additionally, batteries should not be opened, and in case of failure or misfunctioning of one of its components, it is recommended to contact the provider.

Complementary Technical Systems

None

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

None available for the solar mills.

Other Information

On this website, there can be found videos showing the performance of solar agro-processing stations.