Project Detail

TESTING LOCALLY MANUFACTURED SOLAR LANTERNS FOR LIGHTING IN HOMES, SCHOOLS AND BUSINESS LOCATIONS IN RURAL GHANA

In spite of the governments efforts to develop the energy sector and bringing electricity to the people, an equal number of communities are without electricity. Rural people mainly depend on to a large extent wood fuel as alternative sources of energy. These activities also impact greatly on the forests and do contributing to global warming

Project Goal

The Goal of the project is to produce and test a locally made solar lantern for homes, schools and small business areas in the rural communities that are off-grid.

Objectives:

The Objectives of the project is to

- Produce two prototype solar lantern for demonstrations in rural homes, schools and rural clinics for beneficiary analysis
- Test the social, economic, financial viability of the solar lanterns
- Use the outcome of the demonstrations to draft a project proposal for assembling solar lanterns in Ghana.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS:

The main results expected with successful implementation, and will reflect the justification of the project as follows:

? Two prototype solar lanterns assembled
? Prototype solar lanterns tested in homes, schools and rural clinics
? Project proposal formulated for assembling solar lanterns in Ghana

4.0 PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Output 1
Two prototype solar lanterns assembled

Activities

? Negotiate and acquire solar lantern inputs
? Identify local workshop for assembling solar lanterns
? Fabricate 6 units of solar lanterns.

Output 2:
Prototype solar lanterns tested in homes, schools, and rural clinics

Activities
- Identify rural homes, schools and clinic for field demonstration
- Allow beneficiaries to use the lanterns for at least two weeks each.
- Train technicians to monitor the performance of the lanterns
- Conduct meetings with user to solicit comments on the technical, social, economic, and financial feasibility of the solar lanterns
- Organize national forum of experts to comment on the solar lanterns

Output 3
Project proposal formulated for assembling solar lanterns in Ghana

Activities
- Recruit a local consultant to formulate a project proposal through participatory based on the results of the field demonstration.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Centre for Green Technologies

Country:

Ghana

Area Of Work:

Climate Change Mitigation

Operational Phase:

Phase 3

Grant Amount:

US$ 2,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 4,150.00

Project Number:

GHA/OP3/Y2/06/111

Start Date:

11/2006

End Date:

3/2007

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Policy Influence

Contributed to the national debate of promoting solar lanterns to communities off-grid. Solar lanterns would be cheaper than the kerosene in the long run but the short run cost is higher. The country will have to decide on which aspects of the assembling of the device could be subsidized to reduce the cost.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

Durbars were organised in each village to solicit comments on the technical, social, economic and financial conditions of the lanterns. At these durbars the support of GEF was made known to the public.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

Four unemployed trainees were selected to learn the assemling operations. Two staff members were also involved in the process.

Linkages gef projects

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Opinion leaders in the villages, representatives of assembly men and women, local chiefs, queen mothers and teachers all showed interest in the project.

Planning non gef grant

The Group is considering raising a loan from the commercial bank to assemble and distribute solar lanterns if the market can be protected.

Replication of project activities

The project can be replicated because a local expertise has been generated.

Notable Community Participation

The solar lanterns were welcomed in all four regions the project covered. All beneficiaries prefered the lanterns and wish they could own one in the shortest possible time. The students and pupils in the homes of the beneficiaries confirmed the brightness and the convenience in learning.

Gender Focus

There has been gender equity.

Project sustainability

There is a high demand for the products and therefore with good marketing strategy, enterprises can emerge out of assembling solar lantern and this could be sustained into the future.

Capacity - Building Component

Two unemployed, male and female were selected for training in each of the villages. They were taken through the basic principles of solar technology and how photovoltaic cell converts the sun's energy into electrical energy. They were also trained in parts identification and function as well as the operations of charging the battery and maintenance

Planning gef grant

Yes want to establish a full project with the production of solar lanterns for the rural schools.

Project Results

Six solar lanterns were assembled locally by local artisans. The lanterns were tested in homes, schools clinics and business locations in rural areas. There was a high level of acceptability.

Six unemployed youth (3 males and 3 females) were trained in the basic principle of solar technology and how to assemble the various parts of the solar device.

The cost of buying and maintaining household kerosene lantern was US$60 annually. However, the cost of solar lantern was US$55. This means it was cheaper to buy solar lantern which can last for about 10 years. However the problem was the initial cost of the solar lanterns which the peasant farmers cannot afford to pay. A subsidy was needed and the cost spread over time.

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