PicoPV Field Tests of GTZ EnDev - Revision history

Ranisha: /* Ethiopia (GIZ) */

2015-09-04T09:49:06Z

Ethiopia (GIZ)

Ranisha at 09:47, 4 September 2015

2015-09-04T09:47:40Z

Ranisha at 10:33, 12 March 2014

2014-03-12T10:33:40Z

Ranisha at 10:30, 12 March 2014

2014-03-12T10:30:11Z

Ranisha: /* How do the lamps perform in everyday field use? */

2014-03-12T10:27:53Z

How do the lamps perform in everyday field use?

Ranisha: /* How do the lamps perform in everyday field use? */

2014-03-12T10:26:33Z

How do the lamps perform in everyday field use?

Ranisha: /* How do the lamps perform in everyday field use? */

2014-03-12T10:25:44Z

How do the lamps perform in everyday field use?

Ranisha at 10:24, 12 March 2014

2014-03-12T10:24:51Z

Show changes

Katharina Wiedemann at 11:51, 22 October 2012

2012-10-22T11:51:16Z

Show changes

Lisafeldmann at 13:47, 20 September 2012

2012-09-20T13:47:11Z

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 <br/>
 == Ethiopia (GIZ) ==
-In a qualitative study in Ethiopia in 2010, users report improvements in education, health and economics after a field test of three months. Thus, these findings are in line with benefits contributing to the MDGs, presented in the [[EnDev Report on Impacts|report on impacts]]. Furthermore, benefits in social community were reported by users: socializing and visits in neighbor's houses were enhanced due to an improvement of security outside (e.g. avoidance of injuries by thorns or dangerous animals). Since solar lamps could be used simultaneously by various people, less conflicts arose about the usage. Furthermore, parents start having discussions and sharing ideas with their children. Thus, relationships between family members improved. Parents are reassured, because their children can use the solar lamps without fear of accidents (e.g. fire). Particularly women are relieved from their worries about energy supply (planning, management and procurement of light sources as well as a fear of emergencies without light).<ref name="GTZ11">GTZ. 2011. Rural Electrification: Acceptance of Pico Photovoltaic Systems in Ethiopia:[[Media:Diploma thesis Hannah Müggenburg.pdf|Diploma thesis Hannah Müggenburg]]</ref>
+[[File:Girl reading with PicoPV system.JPG|border|150pxpx|alt=Girl reading with PicoPV system.JPG]] In a qualitative study in Ethiopia in 2010, users report improvements in education, health and economics after a field test of three months. Thus, these findings are in line with benefits contributing to the MDGs, presented in the [[EnDev Report on Impacts|report on impacts]]. Furthermore, benefits in social community were reported by users: socializing and visits in neighbor's houses were enhanced due to an improvement of security outside (e.g. avoidance of injuries by thorns or dangerous animals). Since solar lamps could be used simultaneously by various people, less conflicts arose about the usage. Furthermore, parents start having discussions and sharing ideas with their children. Thus, relationships between family members improved. Parents are reassured, because their children can use the solar lamps without fear of accidents (e.g. fire). Particularly women are relieved from their worries about energy supply (planning, management and procurement of light sources as well as a fear of emergencies without light).<ref name="GTZ11">GTZ. 2011. Rural Electrification: Acceptance of Pico Photovoltaic Systems in Ethiopia:[[Media:Diploma thesis Hannah Müggenburg.pdf|Diploma thesis Hannah Müggenburg]]</ref>
 <br/>
 = How much are users willing and able to pay? =

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-=Overview=
+= Overview =
-The GIZ PicoPV country survey results underpin that an ‘all-size-fits-one’ lamp model does not exist. The lamp models were rated differently by users across different continents, and they were liked and disliked for different reasons. However, there are some aspects that turned out to be important for consumers in all the test countries.<br/>Above all, light quality, including the size of the light cone and light intensity, mattered most to the majority of respondents. Apart from that, in Latin America it was the radio function that made people like certain lanterns, whereas for African consumers the phone charging function was considered more important. Another selling point for lamps in Uganda was visual resemblance of the kerosene lanterns that are conventionally used there. For these reasons, people felt that the solar lamp could directly replace the traditional model and therefore perceived it as particularly useful and relevant.<br/>Another result that emerged from the research was that consumers are highly suspicious of poor quality products that have only a short lifetime. Even among poor households there is a willingness to pay for quality, and there is evidence that the target consumer groups do think ahead and are not interested in products that may be relatively cheap but have to be replaced after a short time. There is also concern among all potential retailers that maintenance and repair services may be a major hurdle towards the development of PicoPV markets in rural areas, where there is no local expertise on these new kinds of products.<br/>The field survey also revealed certain reservations by different consumer groups against some visual design features that will have to be taken into account for any successful PicoPV marketing strategy. For example, people had very particular positive or negative associations with certain colors or forms which might have an impact on their purchasing decision even though they said that these product features were not decisive factors. One lantern, for example, reminded Ugandan women of a camera, which limited its attractiveness, while in Nicaragua people particularly liked the handy format of the lamp.
+The GIZ PicoPV country survey results underpin that an ‘all-size-fits-one’ lamp model does not exist. The lamp models were rated differently by users across different continents, and they were liked and disliked for different reasons. However, there are some aspects that turned out to be important for consumers in all the test countries.<br/>
-In Mozambique, one of the lamp models was described as “masculine” so that women would hesitate to use it. In Uganda, white is associated with religious ceremonies like funerals and therefore not regarded an appropriate color for a lamp.<ref name="GTZ10">GTZ. 2010. What difference can a PicoPV system make? Early findings on small Photovoltaic systems - an emerging low- cost energy technology for developing countries: [[Media:Gtz picopv booklet.pdf|GIZ PicoPV Booklet]]</ref>
+<br/>Above all, light quality, including the size of the light cone and light intensity, mattered most to the majority of respondents. Apart from that, in Latin America it was the radio function that made people like certain lanterns, whereas for African consumers the phone charging function was considered more important. Another selling point for lamps in Uganda was visual resemblance of the kerosene lanterns that are conventionally used there. For these reasons, people felt that the solar lamp could directly replace the traditional model and therefore perceived it as particularly useful and relevant.<br/>
-In Ethiopia, a large angle of radiation was preferred over a high number of lumens. Portable lamps were favored. Users preferred a built-in switch instead of a pull switch. Furthermore, bright, white light was clearly chosen over yellow colored light. Regulators in order to adjust the level of brightness are an additional feature people liked. Importance of mentioned characteristics, such as light quality and good quality of the system itself can be confirmed. Moreover, duration of light and robustness played an important role in the decision to buy a PicoPV system.<ref name="GTZ11">_</ref>
+<br/>Another result that emerged from the research was that consumers are highly suspicious of poor quality products that have only a short lifetime. Even among poor households there is a willingness to pay for quality, and there is evidence that the target consumer groups do think ahead and are not interested in products that may be relatively cheap but have to be replaced after a short time. There is also concern among all potential retailers that maintenance and repair services may be a major hurdle towards the development of PicoPV markets in rural areas, where there is no local expertise on these new kinds of products.<br/>The field survey also revealed certain reservations by different consumer groups against some visual design features that will have to be taken into account for any successful PicoPV marketing strategy. For example, people had very particular positive or negative associations with certain colors or forms which might have an impact on their purchasing decision even though they said that these product features were not decisive factors. One lantern, for example, reminded Ugandan women of a camera, which limited its attractiveness, while in Nicaragua people particularly liked the handy format of the lamp.
 <br/>
-<br/>
+In Mozambique, one of the lamp models was described as “masculine” so that women would hesitate to use it. In Uganda, white is associated with religious ceremonies like funerals and therefore not regarded an appropriate color for a lamp.<ref name="GTZ10">GTZ. 2010. What difference can a PicoPV system make? Early findings on small Photovoltaic systems - an emerging low- cost energy technology for developing countries: [[Media:Gtz picopv booklet.pdf|GIZ PicoPV Booklet]]</ref>
-<br/>
+In Ethiopia, a large angle of radiation was preferred over a high number of lumens. Portable lamps were favored. Users preferred a built-in switch instead of a pull switch. Furthermore, bright, white light was clearly chosen over yellow colored light. Regulators in order to adjust the level of brightness are an additional feature people liked. Importance of mentioned characteristics, such as light quality and good quality of the system itself can be confirmed. Moreover, duration of light and robustness played an important role in the decision to buy a PicoPV system.<ref name="GTZ11">_</ref>
 = How do the lamps perform in everyday field use?<br/> =
-More than 100 firms are offering PicoPV products in developing countries today, but most products are of very low quality, with serious implications for consumer trust in the new technology. Early lab tests have focused the awareness of governments and donors on the importance of quality control and customer information – however, field tests in sufficient countries with sufficient sample sizes are needed for a better understanding of PicoPV performance under real-life conditions, and to identify gaps in the emerging draft lab test procedures. Field tests show, that lab testing does need to be complemented through long-term testing under real-life conditions.
+[[File:Charging PicoPV systems.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Charging PicoPV systems.JPG]] More than 100 firms are offering PicoPV products in developing countries today, but most products are of very low quality, with serious implications for consumer trust in the new technology. Early lab tests have focused the awareness of governments and donors on the importance of quality control and customer information – however, field tests in sufficient countries with sufficient sample sizes are needed for a better understanding of PicoPV performance under real-life conditions, and to identify gaps in the emerging draft lab test procedures. Field tests show, that lab testing does need to be complemented through long-term testing under real-life conditions.
 Occurence rate of technical problems (10% to 50%) during a field test in Uganda confirm this statement. Furthermore, the Uganda data highlight the urgent need to introduce quality labeling mechanisms, based on proven test procedures, on international as well as local levels: Almost all lamp models, including top-end products with high quality claims by manufacturers, did not meet expectations in terms of durability and robustness – in spite of the fact that they had been picked as “best of class” in the previous lab test (which in turn was based on the lab test draft methodology currently in use by [[Solar Laterns Test|GIZ]] as well as [[Lighting Africa Outstanding Products|World Bank’s Lighting Africa]]). Particular technical improvements concluded from the Ugandan field tests are: manufacturers need to improve products’ solar fraction, equip lamps only with advanced charge controllers, and work on the robustness of the products, and of the connection parts in particular. Problems were: frequent deep-discharge of batteries, low battery life-spans and overall unsatisfactory lighting service were the frequently observed. Apart from that, the components that most often caused lamps to fail were cables, plugs, input jacks and switches. These parts are obviously under extreme stress when lamps are in everyday use by extended families with several children, and when modules are put down for charging on the ground in the courtyard (while lamps are kept inside to protect them against thieves). <ref name="ii">GTZ, iidevelopment. 2010. GTZ Solar Lamps Field Test Uganda - Final Report.</ref>
 In Ethiopia, broken switches and deeply discharged batteries were a frequent problem. Robustness has to be improved as well, because users often carry their systems around due to fear of theft.<ref name="GTZ11">_</ref>
 <br/>
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 == Ethiopia (GIZ) ==
-[https://energypedia.info/images/thumb/a/af/Girl_reading_with_PicoPV_system.JPG/157px-Girl_reading_with_PicoPV_system.JPG https://energypedia.info/images/thumb/a/af/Girl_reading_with_PicoPV_system.JPG/157px-Girl_reading_with_PicoPV_system.JPG]
+In a qualitative study in Ethiopia in 2010, users report improvements in education, health and economics after a field test of three months. Thus, these findings are in line with benefits contributing to the MDGs, presented in the [[EnDev Report on Impacts|report on impacts]]. Furthermore, benefits in social community were reported by users: socializing and visits in neighbor's houses were enhanced due to an improvement of security outside (e.g. avoidance of injuries by thorns or dangerous animals). Since solar lamps could be used simultaneously by various people, less conflicts arose about the usage. Furthermore, parents start having discussions and sharing ideas with their children. Thus, relationships between family members improved. Parents are reassured, because their children can use the solar lamps without fear of accidents (e.g. fire). Particularly women are relieved from their worries about energy supply (planning, management and procurement of light sources as well as a fear of emergencies without light).<ref name="GTZ11">GTZ. 2011. Rural Electrification: Acceptance of Pico Photovoltaic Systems in Ethiopia:[[Media:Diploma thesis Hannah Müggenburg.pdf|Diploma thesis Hannah Müggenburg]]</ref>
 <br/>

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:33, 12 March 2014
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−	Overview	+	=Overview=

	The GIZ PicoPV country survey results underpin that an ‘all-size-fits-one’ lamp model does not exist. The lamp models were rated differently by users across different continents, and they were liked and disliked for different reasons. However, there are some aspects that turned out to be important for consumers in all the test countries.<br/>Above all, light quality, including the size of the light cone and light intensity, mattered most to the majority of respondents. Apart from that, in Latin America it was the radio function that made people like certain lanterns, whereas for African consumers the phone charging function was considered more important. Another selling point for lamps in Uganda was visual resemblance of the kerosene lanterns that are conventionally used there. For these reasons, people felt that the solar lamp could directly replace the traditional model and therefore perceived it as particularly useful and relevant.<br/>Another result that emerged from the research was that consumers are highly suspicious of poor quality products that have only a short lifetime. Even among poor households there is a willingness to pay for quality, and there is evidence that the target consumer groups do think ahead and are not interested in products that may be relatively cheap but have to be replaced after a short time. There is also concern among all potential retailers that maintenance and repair services may be a major hurdle towards the development of PicoPV markets in rural areas, where there is no local expertise on these new kinds of products.<br/>The field survey also revealed certain reservations by different consumer groups against some visual design features that will have to be taken into account for any successful PicoPV marketing strategy. For example, people had very particular positive or negative associations with certain colors or forms which might have an impact on their purchasing decision even though they said that these product features were not decisive factors. One lantern, for example, reminded Ugandan women of a camera, which limited its attractiveness, while in Nicaragua people particularly liked the handy format of the lamp.		The GIZ PicoPV country survey results underpin that an ‘all-size-fits-one’ lamp model does not exist. The lamp models were rated differently by users across different continents, and they were liked and disliked for different reasons. However, there are some aspects that turned out to be important for consumers in all the test countries.<br/>Above all, light quality, including the size of the light cone and light intensity, mattered most to the majority of respondents. Apart from that, in Latin America it was the radio function that made people like certain lanterns, whereas for African consumers the phone charging function was considered more important. Another selling point for lamps in Uganda was visual resemblance of the kerosene lanterns that are conventionally used there. For these reasons, people felt that the solar lamp could directly replace the traditional model and therefore perceived it as particularly useful and relevant.<br/>Another result that emerged from the research was that consumers are highly suspicious of poor quality products that have only a short lifetime. Even among poor households there is a willingness to pay for quality, and there is evidence that the target consumer groups do think ahead and are not interested in products that may be relatively cheap but have to be replaced after a short time. There is also concern among all potential retailers that maintenance and repair services may be a major hurdle towards the development of PicoPV markets in rural areas, where there is no local expertise on these new kinds of products.<br/>The field survey also revealed certain reservations by different consumer groups against some visual design features that will have to be taken into account for any successful PicoPV marketing strategy. For example, people had very particular positive or negative associations with certain colors or forms which might have an impact on their purchasing decision even though they said that these product features were not decisive factors. One lantern, for example, reminded Ugandan women of a camera, which limited its attractiveness, while in Nicaragua people particularly liked the handy format of the lamp.

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-<span style="font-size: 21.600000381469727px; line-height: 30.464000701904297px;">Overview</span>
+Overview
 The GIZ PicoPV country survey results underpin that an ‘all-size-fits-one’ lamp model does not exist. The lamp models were rated differently by users across different continents, and they were liked and disliked for different reasons. However, there are some aspects that turned out to be important for consumers in all the test countries.<br/>Above all, light quality, including the size of the light cone and light intensity, mattered most to the majority of respondents. Apart from that, in Latin America it was the radio function that made people like certain lanterns, whereas for African consumers the phone charging function was considered more important. Another selling point for lamps in Uganda was visual resemblance of the kerosene lanterns that are conventionally used there. For these reasons, people felt that the solar lamp could directly replace the traditional model and therefore perceived it as particularly useful and relevant.<br/>Another result that emerged from the research was that consumers are highly suspicious of poor quality products that have only a short lifetime. Even among poor households there is a willingness to pay for quality, and there is evidence that the target consumer groups do think ahead and are not interested in products that may be relatively cheap but have to be replaced after a short time. There is also concern among all potential retailers that maintenance and repair services may be a major hurdle towards the development of PicoPV markets in rural areas, where there is no local expertise on these new kinds of products.<br/>The field survey also revealed certain reservations by different consumer groups against some visual design features that will have to be taken into account for any successful PicoPV marketing strategy. For example, people had very particular positive or negative associations with certain colors or forms which might have an impact on their purchasing decision even though they said that these product features were not decisive factors. One lantern, for example, reminded Ugandan women of a camera, which limited its attractiveness, while in Nicaragua people particularly liked the handy format of the lamp.
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+<br/>
 = How do the lamps perform in everyday field use?<br/> =
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 = What are the socio-economic benefits users experience?<br/> =
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 == <br/>Tanzania (GIZ)<br/> ==
 From GIZ experiences in Tanzania, it has been observed that customers prefer to have a switch installed in the house rather than a portable system. Even if it provides only very basic services, there was a preference for small solar home systems at least if they are affordable. Furthermore, a disadvantage of portable systems has been that they can be stolen easily in comparison to a fixed system in the house. A crucial point has also been the recharging of solar lanterns. As they are usually placed outside and oriented to the sun in the morning and remain in the same position throughout the day, the full charging potential cannot be achieved.
 <br/>

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 <br/>
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 More than 100 firms are offering PicoPV products in developing countries today, but most products are of very low quality, with serious implications for consumer trust in the new technology. Early lab tests have focused the awareness of governments and donors on the importance of quality control and customer information – however, field tests in sufficient countries with sufficient sample sizes are needed for a better understanding of PicoPV performance under real-life conditions, and to identify gaps in the emerging draft lab test procedures. Field tests show, that lab testing does need to be complemented through long-term testing under real-life conditions.
-Occurence rate of technical problems (10% to 50%) during a field test in Uganda confirm this statement. Furthermore, the Uganda data highlight the urgent need to introduce quality labeling mechanisms, based on proven test procedures, on international as well as local levels: Almost all lamp models, including top-end products with high quality claims by manufacturers, did not meet expectations in terms of durability and robustness – in spite of the fact that they had been picked as “best of class” in the previous lab test (which in turn was based on the lab test draft methodology currently in use by [[Solar Laterns Test|GIZ]] as well as [[Lighting Africa Outstanding Products|World Bank’s Lighting Africa]]). Particular technical improvements concluded from the Ugandan field tests are: manufacturers need to improve products’ solar fraction, e[[File:Charging PicoPV systems.JPG|frame|right|100px|Charging PicoPV systems.JPG]]quip lamps only with advanced charge controllers, and work on the robustness of the products, and of the connection parts in particular. Problems were: frequent deep-discharge of batteries, low battery life-spans and overall unsatisfactory lighting service were the frequently observed. Apart from that, the components that most often caused lamps to fail were cables, plugs, input jacks and switches. These parts are obviously under extreme stress when lamps are in everyday use by extended families with several children, and when modules are put down for charging on the ground in the courtyard (while lamps are kept inside to protect them against thieves). <ref name="ii">GTZ, iidevelopment. 2010. GTZ Solar Lamps Field Test Uganda - Final Report.</ref>
+Occurence rate of technical problems (10% to 50%) during a field test in Uganda confirm this statement. Furthermore, the Uganda data highlight the urgent need to introduce quality labeling mechanisms, based on proven test procedures, on international as well as local levels: Almost all lamp models, including top-end products with high quality claims by manufacturers, did not meet expectations in terms of durability and robustness – in spite of the fact that they had been picked as “best of class” in the previous lab test (which in turn was based on the lab test draft methodology currently in use by [[Solar Laterns Test|GIZ]] as well as [[Lighting Africa Outstanding Products|World Bank’s Lighting Africa]]). Particular technical improvements concluded from the Ugandan field tests are: manufacturers need to improve products’ solar fraction, equip lamps only with advanced charge controllers, and work on the robustness of the products, and of the connection parts in particular. Problems were: frequent deep-discharge of batteries, low battery life-spans and overall unsatisfactory lighting service were the frequently observed. Apart from that, the components that most often caused lamps to fail were cables, plugs, input jacks and switches. These parts are obviously under extreme stress when lamps are in everyday use by extended families with several children, and when modules are put down for charging on the ground in the courtyard (while lamps are kept inside to protect them against thieves). <ref name="ii">GTZ, iidevelopment. 2010. GTZ Solar Lamps Field Test Uganda - Final Report.</ref>
 In Ethiopia, broken switches and deeply discharged batteries were a frequent problem. Robustness has to be improved as well, because users often carry their systems around due to fear of theft.<ref name="GTZ11">_</ref>
 <br/>