Posted on by CRDT
The solar project started in April
2012, in Koh Preah village, in Stung Treng province. In this 300
families’ village, these two solar projects were installed by CRDT Lao partner Sunlabob and funded by the Energy and Environment Partnership (EEP).
The main utility of the solar is to charge lanterns. Each household
was provided one of the 104 available lanterns that they would use for
lighting.
Currently, 100% of those households
have access and are glad to use the Solar Lantern System. For the
households, the recharging fee is a regular small expense, similar
to buying kerosene at the village shop. However, with these
rechargeable solar lanterns, the households get better quality and
safer lighting compared with using kerosene and part of the fee will
go towards the maintenance of the lanterns. This money is managed by
the community committee inside the village. The total income from
solar panels is around USD 250 for 2 solar
panels in Koh Preah village. This money will be kept for maintenance
and to buy new lanterns to expand the project to other families
inside the village.
This solar lantern system allowed CRDT
beneficiaries to save money in decreasing their purchases in
petrol lamps, candles and battery charging. Also people who have a
lower-income can use this system, as it is cheaper for charging. This
solar lantern system has high potential and has been identified as
the solution for lighting in remote villages. Moreover, it
contributes to tackle climate change in a positive way.
To fully charge the lanterns takes 5
to 6 hours and the beneficiaries will need to pay 500 Riels
($0.12cts). After being charged, the lanterns will work for more than 5
days and less than 10 days, depending on the length of use every day.
By Hun Sarith, Project Officer in Stung Treng, Original text
