io solar power system

The io™ system provides a new way to make solar power more affordable for rural, off-grid households in Sub-Saharan Africa. Users start by making a small investment in a basic io™ solar power module, and then scale up the size of their system by adding power and functionality at their own pace.

Each io™ module is a fully functioning mini solar-power system in its own right. However, once several are daisy-chained together, they synergise to create a full-size system able to power much larger appliances, such as bright security lights, radios, loudspeaker systems, and eventually fridges and TVs.

The main product is the io™ Battery 100 set, comprising of a 3.5W solar panel, a solar charge controller, a 10W.h LiFePO4 battery and two LED ceiling lights with wall switches. The ceiling lights each provide 80 lumens of light, and will last five hours each on a full day’s solar charge (or 10 hours if only one is used). The solar charge controller implements all the most advanced technical features to maximize efficiency and product life expectancy. The output voltage is 12V DC, and is designed to accommodate any off-the-shelf appliance that could be plugged into a typical 12V DC electrical system.

Bringing solar power to rural households in Sub-Saharan Africa allows hazardous kerosene lighting to be replaced by electric lighting.

It is well-documented that kerosene lighting is not only a major contributor to global climate change, but it also has a considerable impact on the health and safety of its users. In South Africa alone, over 200,000 people are injured or lose property each year due to kerosene-related fires, in addition to 79,750 very young children unintentionally ingesting kerosene, of which 60% develop a chemically induced pneumonia. In Bangladesh, kerosene lamps are responsible for 23% of infant burns.

The io™ product range is a cost-effective modular solar power system that offers households a more financially viable option for investment. Households that wouldn’t otherwise have invested in a solar power system can afford to do so, and this will contribute to the direct mitigation of the described problems above.

Publicly available: Yes
Countries where available: South Africa
Price range: 20 to 50 USD
Offered or can be licensed for local manufacture: No