M-KOPA III Solar Home System

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$218.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

M-KOPA Solar distributes and implements the systems in a partnership with Safaricom.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Azuri 10W Quad Solar Home System, Simpa Solar Home System, and ZOLA FLEX.

Countries

Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda

Manufacturing/Building Method

Mass-produced

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

Users obtained the product from M-KOPA retail locations. M-KOPA relies on direct sales representatives, or agents of each retail location to manage sales. There are over 100 retail locations across the three M-KOPA target markets (Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania).

Distributions to Date Status

By 2019, more than 750,000 off-grid solar systems had been sold, benefiting 3 million people.

Design Specifications

Design:

2 LED lights with multiple brightness settings.

1 LED portable solar torch light.

5 standard USB ports.

Portable solar radio.

8 W solar panel.

Technical Support

None available, this product is discontinued.

Replacement Components

Customers can purchase system components individually to replace parts of their original system or to upgrade their system.

Lifecycle

5 years with a 24 month warranty on the solar panel, control unit and light points and 12 month for torch, radio and charging cables ^{interview with representative}.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Payback rate of 95% ^{interview with representative}.

Vetted Performance Status

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, 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

M-KOPA 400, M-KOPA + TV.
M-KOPA also offers cookstoves, mobile phones and water tanks from third party manufacturers.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

Lighting Global QA

Evaluation methods

Payback Rate and use patterns beyond the 1 year repayment period.

Other Information

Video showcasing of M-Kopa distribution system and customer support.