1. SOLAR LAMP Distribution
"Bridging the Energy Gap for Last-Mile Users in the most Remote areas"
STATUS: Scaling
LOCATION: Monduli, Longido & Ngorongoro
TYPE: Solar Lamps
BENEFICIARIES: 2,500+
PARTNERS: D-PRIZE, SESA
The Challenge
Over 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to any basic energy products. While large energy grids are an ideal solution, their implementation is slow. In the meantime, off-grid families rely on kerosene lamps, which are dim, expensive, and pose significant health and safety risks due to indoor air pollution and the potential for house fires. This issue is especially acute in rural Africa, where kerosene prices can be 35% higher than in urban areas.
The OpportunitySolar lamps offer a brighter, safer, and more cost-effective alternative to kerosene lamps. These solutions not only reduce fuel costs but also eliminate the dangers associated with kerosene use. For many families, a solar lamp is the first step toward achieving energy security.
Solar lamps are more cost-effective than kerosene lamps in the long run, with households typically breaking even within a few months of switching. Costing around $10-20 per unit, solar lamps provide up to 20 times more illumination than kerosene lamps. Additionally, they offer significant benefits to quality of life, increased study hours, and improved safety.
Developing a distribution network for basic energy products is crucial for broader energy access. Many solar distribution networks that began with pico lanterns have since expanded to include solar home systems and other advanced products, significantly enhancing household savings and productivity.
In many regions of Africa, solar lamps have gone from being virtually unknown to widely adopted in rural areas within just 20 years. Major initiatives, such as the World Bank Group’s Lighting Global, have enabled nearly 60 million households to meet basic energy needs through off-grid solar solutions. However, some regions and segments of the population, particularly rural households and those without mobile phones, are still at risk of being left behind.
SESA’s ApproachIn Africa, the primary constraints to energy access are distribution and affordability. At SESA, we address these challenges by creating distribution channels in hard-to-reach remote areas and integrating financial solutions to ensure that everyone, regardless of financial background, can access basic energy products. Our distribution model focuses on three main imperatives:
- Accessibility
- Affordability
- Security of Energy Supply
In 2023, SESA secured funding from D-Prize to pilot a solar lamp distribution program in three districts of Northern Tanzania: Longido, Monduli, and Ngorongoro. This pilot reached over 2,500 people through innovative financial solutions, such as Pay As You Go and Lease Agreements. SESA’s distribution model is uniquely designed to bridge the energy access gap in Tanzania by extending from urban areas to the most remote rural regions. A key aspect of this model is the empowerment of local women and youth, who play an integral role in the distribution network as sales agents and franchisees.
Our goal is to expand this initiative to reach 100,000 beneficiaries within five years and eventually scale nationwide.
2. OFF-GRID PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
“Empowering You, Anywhere”
Definition
Off-Grid Photovoltaic (PV) Systems are solar energy systems designed to operate independently from the national or regional power grid. These systems generate and store electricity on-site using solar panels and batteries, providing reliable and sustainable energy solutions in areas where grid power is unavailable, unreliable, or costly to extend. Off-grid systems are particularly essential for remote locations, rural communities, and areas where electricity access is limited.
How It WorksOff-grid PV systems consist of solar panels that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity. This electricity can be used directly or stored in batteries for later use, ensuring continuous power supply even when sunlight is not available. The system typically includes an inverter to convert the direct current (DC) generated by the solar panels into alternating current (AC), which is used by most household appliances. Depending on the energy demand and available sunlight, these systems can be designed to power anything from a single home to an entire village.
Key Benefits- Energy Independence: Off-grid systems allow users to generate their own electricity without relying on external power sources.
- Cost Savings: Users save on electricity bills and avoid the high costs of extending grid power to remote locations.
- Sustainability: Solar energy is a clean, renewable resource, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and lowering carbon emissions.
1. AC Solar Home Systems with Advanced Battery Storage
AC Solar Home Systems are specifically designed to provide off-grid households with a reliable source of alternating current (AC) electricity, which is compatible with most home appliances. These systems consist of solar panels, an inverter, and a battery storage unit, ensuring that power is available at any time of day. The key difference between an AC Solar Home System (SHS) and a DC Solar Home System lies in the standard single-phase output voltage of 230 VAC, achieved through an additional inverter, along with a higher solar array power ranging between 1 kWp and 5 kWp. This independent solar power supply enables families to run essential household appliances such as refrigerators, irons, televisions, lights, and computers. AC systems are particularly ideal for homes in remote areas where grid electricity is unavailable, providing a solution that allows families to maintain their daily activities. With the capability to store excess power, these systems ensure uninterrupted energy access even during periods of low sunlight or at night.
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2. Photovoltaic Water Pump & Treatment Systems
Solar-powered Water Pump & Treatment Systems offer a sustainable solution for providing clean water in off-grid areas. These systems use solar energy to pump water from wells or rivers and, in some cases, incorporate water purification technologies to ensure that the water is safe for consumption. Solar water pumps are ideal for rural farming communities, reducing the labor involved in manual water collection and improving access to irrigation for crops. The water treatment aspect ensures that communities benefit from both clean drinking water and improved sanitation, reducing health risks and supporting agricultural productivity.
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3. Solar LED Agriculture System
Solar LED Agriculture Systems provide innovative lighting solutions tailored for various agricultural applications, significantly enhancing productivity and efficiency. These systems use solar-powered LED lights to illuminate farms, enabling farmers to improve crop yields, optimize livestock management and extend working hours,. The use of LED lights is especially beneficial for poultry farming, where proper lighting plays a crucial role in promoting healthy growth and egg production. By providing consistent light during the night, farmers can regulate the poultry’s circadian rhythms, leading to increased feed efficiency and higher egg yields.
Additionally, solar LED lights can be utilized in horticulture and greenhouse farming, supporting plant growth during critical development stages. By creating a controlled light environment, farmers can cultivate crops year-round, irrespective of natural daylight conditions. These systems are not only cost-effective and environmentally friendly, but they also reduce reliance on fossil fuels, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.
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4. Biogas Smart Meter System
The Smart Biogas Meter is an advanced tool designed to monitor household-scale biogas plants, tracking pressure, flow, and gas consumption in real-time. This data allows both biogas owners and technicians to ensure digesters are operating efficiently, optimizing their performance. Available in various sizes, the meters are built for different environments, from clean gas systems to more challenging setups dealing with raw, corrosive biogas. Powered by a 6W solar panel or an AC/DC adapter, the Smart Biogas Meter runs 24/7, providing continuous monitoring for a wide range of digester types.
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5. Solar Street Lights
Solar Street Lights are an off-grid solution designed to provide reliable and sustainable lighting in outdoor areas such as roads, pathways, and public spaces. These systems are equipped with solar panels and batteries to power LED lights, ensuring well-lit streets and communities at night without the need for grid electricity. Solar street lights improve safety, enhance security, and allow for extended outdoor activities in rural areas or places where grid-based street lighting is impractical. Their low maintenance and energy efficiency make them a cost-effective option for municipalities and communities looking to improve infrastructure.
6. Solar-powered Standalone CCTV Camera
Solar-powered CCTV cameras offer reliable surveillance solutions in off-grid areas, ensuring continuous security monitoring without the need for grid electricity. Powered by solar energy and equipped with backup batteries, these systems function efficiently, even during cloudy days or at night. They are ideal for securing remote communities, farms, and businesses, providing enhanced safety and peace of mind. By using solar power, these systems reduce the need for expensive power infrastructure or fuel-powered generators, making them a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution for rural and isolated locations.
3. ON-GRID PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS
“When the power fails, you wont!”
Definition
On-grid photovoltaic (PV) systems, also known as grid-tied solar systems, are solar energy solutions that generate electricity from sunlight while remaining connected to the main power grid. SESA’s On-Grid PV Systems bring the benefits of solar energy directly to your home or business, without disconnecting you from the grid. Our systems are designed to produce clean, renewable energy while allowing users to remain connected to the main power grid for backup when needed. This hybrid approach ensures energy reliability and cost savings, all while promoting sustainable practices.
How It WorksOn-grid solar systems work by capturing sunlight through photovoltaic (PV) panels, converting it into electricity that powers homes and businesses. During the day, solar energy is the primary power source, and any excess electricity generated can be fed back into the grid, reducing electricity costs. At night or during times of low sunlight, users seamlessly switch to the grid, ensuring an uninterrupted power supply.
Key Benefits- Cost Efficiency:: By using solar energy during peak sunlight hours, users significantly reduce their reliance on expensive grid electricity, lowering their energy bills. Excess energy can even be sold back to the grid, further increasing savings.
- Energy Security: On-grid systems provide a reliable energy solution, ensuring you’re never without power, even when solar energy production is low. With this system, you get the best of both worlds—clean solar energy and grid stability.
- Environmental Impact: By generating renewable energy, on-grid systems help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment for future generations.
1. Micro PV Systems (1-5 kWp)
Tenants or homeowners with limited space or budget can still lower their electricity bills by installing small photovoltaic (PV) systems, which typically consist of one or more solar modules. These systems feed the generated electricity directly into the home’s grid, reducing the amount of energy drawn from the public grid. A key feature of these PV setups is the use of micro-inverters, which convert the direct current (DC) produced by the solar panels into single-phase alternating current (AC). These micro-inverters can be plugged directly into a standard 230 VAC household socket for seamless integration.
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2. Residential PV Systems (10-15 KWP)
Residential PV Systems are medium-sized solar installations designed to meet the energy needs of single-family homes or small apartment buildings. Ranging from 10 to 15 kWp, these systems provide sufficient power to support a majority of the household’s energy demand during the day, with any excess energy either stored or fed back into the grid. Residential PV Systems help homeowners significantly reduce electricity bills and dependence on grid power, while also contributing to the broader adoption of renewable energy in residential areas.
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3. Commercial PV Systems (100 kwp)
Commercial PV Systems are large-scale solar installations designed for supermarkets, offices, hospitals, town halls, schools, and industrial operations, offering up to 100 kWp of energy. These systems power large facilities, significantly lowering electricity costs while enhancing energy independence and sustainability. By utilizing expansive roof areas, these solar panels generate substantial energy, which is fed into a three-phase low-voltage grid via inverters. The direct grid connection ensures optimal energy use, with the greatest economic benefit arising from reduced electricity bills through self-consumption. Businesses typically recover their investment within just a few years. Additionally, adopting these systems boosts operational efficiency, supports sustainability, and promotes job creation and local economic growth.
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