d.Light S2

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$7.21

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

The product was sold by online retailers and locally through d.Light's 25,000 retail outlets across 70 countries worldwide.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Enviro SL36, Nokero N233, Sun King Eco, and ToughStuff Desk Lamp Kit.

Regions

East Africa

Countries

China, United States

Manufacturing/Building Method

The d.Light S2 was mass-produced in China.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

Users can purchase the product from one of d.Light's 25,000 retail outlets across 70 countries or online. Local distribution was previously done through social enterprises such as M-Kopa in Kenya, who now market their own solar products.

Distributions to Date Status

Between all of their solar lighting and power products, d.Light has sold over 20 million units worldwide.

Design Specifications

The S2 has an ultra bright LED (60,000-hour life) an integrated solar panel and battery and a metal stand. In cloudy conditions, it can be charged using a standard Nokia AC charger (not included). It only has one brightness setting, but also features a dual solar / AC battery charge level indicator and a glow-in-the-dark on/off button. It is dust and impact resistant and lightweight (120 g). The package dimensions upon purchase are (WxDxH): 4.0 x 7.0 x 5.8 in

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 (contact details available here). d.Light stated that the product is 'maintenance-free' on it's page, implying very little technical support is required.

Replacement Components

Replacement products are available under warranty. No replacements parts are available.

Lifecycle

According to d.light, the average product lifetime is well over 5 years. Free 2 year replacement warranty. No information available on disposal.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

4 Hours of light per full charge, 3x brighter than kerosene and portable (with an adjustable handle and stand). Free 2-Year Replacement Warranty from date of purchase.

Vetted Performance Status

Meets Lighting Global Recommended Performance Targets & Lighting Africa Minimum Quality Standards. From the Lighting Global Standardized Specifications Sheet its total light output is 33 lumens, it illuminates an area of 0.09 m² with > 50 lux, it provides 130 lumen-hours / solar-day, the full battery run time is 5.3 hours and the rune time per day of solar charging is 3.9 hours. 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 S2 received a score of 43/100. Full findings are available in their report and as a snapshot synopsis is available in the image included here.

Safety

No listed hazards.

Complementary Technical Systems

Because the system is solar powered, gains in efficiency can only be made in improving the efficiency of solar energy collection or reducing the energy used by the product, although it serves as a complement to many other products.

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 compliance. 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 comparative framework for 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

Further information on D.light S2 Specification

Product can be purchased on Indiamart