d.Light D30

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$177.68

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Before it was discontinued, the product was sold by online retailers and locally through d.Light’s 25,000 retail outlets across 70 countries worldwide. Some retailers may still have the product available while stocks last.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Azuri 15W Quad 600 Solar Home System, Sun King Home 40Z, M-KOPA IV Solar Home System, and Barefoot Connect 620.

Manufacturing/Building Method

The product is mass produced in China.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

This product is now discontinued but users could previously obtain the D30 Solar Home System directly from one of d.Light’s partners with 25,000 retail outlets across 70 countries worldwide or by purchase from online retailers such as Nuria, Jumia and Indiamart. Some retailers may still have the product available while stocks last.

Distributions to Date Status

The data on current distributions to date of the D30 is not publicly available, however 120,000 units of the D30 were sold in the first 7 months after it launched. Beyond the D30, d.Light have sold over 20 million solar lights and power products in over 65 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.

Design Specifications

The d.Light D30 is comprised of a 9 Wp Polycrystalline silicon solar panel, a 3000 mAh, 6.4 V Lithium-iron phosphate battery and solar controller, 3 LED lamps with wall switches (upgradeable to four lamps) and a USB port for charging mobile phones. Also included are a rechargeable portable torch (with 1500 mAh, 3.7 V battery), a rechargeable solar FM radio (1000 mAh, 3.7 V battery) and a universal USB adaptor for mobile phone charging. The individual lamps each emit 120 lm of white light in a wide distribution on their high brightness setting and the torch emits 75 lm of white light in a narrow distribution on its high brightness setting. The battery and solar controller unit shows the credit remaining based on current Pay-as-you-go payments and current battery level on an LCD screen.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Products within the 2 year warranty period (from the date of purchase) can be returned to the retailer at a user’s point of purchase for replacement free of charge. Beyond that, d.Light provide customer support.

Replacement Components

Except the FM radio and torch being covered by a 1-year warranty, the product has a 2-year warranty covering manufacturing defects. According to Lightning Global, the battery is not easily replaceable with common tools.

Lifecycle

Prior to discontinuing this product, the manufacturer listed the lifetime as "over 5 years" for the D30 on their webpage.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

D.Light specify that the D30 is capable of "fully lighting several rooms at once in homes and businesses" and "charging mobile phones and other small, USB-powered devices". They also expect users to be able to "us[e] the FM radio to stay up-to-date on important news" and use the portable torch inside and outside. They also intend for the users to be able to upgrade their D30 with an additional lamp. The product page described that the battery should last "5-17 hours of light per full charge" and that it should emit light "12x brighter than kerosene".

Vetted Performance Status

Lighting Global confirmed that the d.Light D30 complies with the Lighting Global Quality Standards by testing according to the Quality Test Method given in edition 3 of IEC/TS 62257-9-5. The results and certification were valid until May 31, 2020. The testing categories (all passed) are: Truth In Advertising; Lumen Maintenance; Battery Composition; Battery Protection; Battery Durability; Physical Ingress Protection; Water Ingress Protection; Drop Test; Soldering and Electronics Workmanship; Mechanical Durability; Minimum Warranty Terms; Performance Reporting. As specific testing of the lighting elements of the system: A full day's charging with the 9 Wp polycrystalline silicon module will provide enough stored energy in the battery to power the three lamps on a high brightness setting for 5.6 hours and the torch on high brightness setting for 3 hours, resulting in a total light output of 360 lumens and 75 lumens, respectively. Total lightning service for this product is 2200 lumen-hours/solar-day for the four lightning points with high-brightness setting. Regarding lumen maintenance, after 2,000 hours run time, 97% of the lamps' original output remains and 94% of the torch's original output remains.

Safety

This Solar Home System is a plug and play device, however, electrical installation and control guidelines provided by d.Light must be followed to avoid electrical shocks.

Complementary Technical Systems

d.Light commercializes multiple solar products from solar lanterns and solar home systems to solar appliances.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

This product meets the Lightning Global Quality Standards for Solar Home System Kits valid until May 31, 2020. Through the same testing by Lighting Global, it was found to also comply with IEC Technical Specification 62257-9-5. The factory where the product is constructed complies with ISO standards ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems and ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems.

Evaluation methods

The D30 was tested using the Quality Test Method (QTM) by Lighting Global in the Shenzhen Academy of Metrology and Quality Inspection in China. This is the full test method within IEC Technical Specification 62257-9-5 used by Lighting Global to verify comprehensive product performance. Results from QTM testing determine if a product meets the Lighting Global Minimum Quality Standards and IEC Technical Specification 62257-9-5.   As part of the QTM, the d.Light D30 has passed the following Durability tests: Drop test, Switch and Connector Cycling, Strain Relief Test, Physical Ingress Protection Test, Protection from Frequent Rain. The battery box meets the Lightning Global Quality Standards for battery durability.

Other Information

d.Light has won several awards and recognition since 2007. All the details can be seen here. This case study video highlights the impact a d.Light Solar Home System in Kenya has had. Another case study focuses on the impact of the D30 specifically for another businesswoman in Kenya. The d.Light D30 was the fastest Pay-as-you-go Solar Home System to reach scale as of March 2017 according to PR Newswire.