Remote microgrids are bringing electricity and income to rural areas through Kilowatts for Humanity, a non-profit organization that began as research projects at Seattle University.
In one project, for example, in Filibaba, Zambia, Kilowatts for Humanity built a 2-KW solar-powered microgrid that serves as an electricity kiosk. In addition to being able to power a few homes, it’s set up to allow residents to charge cell phones and batteries that can be used for lighting, says Steve Szablya, co-founder, Kilowatts for Humanity.
The remote microgrid provides electricity 24 hours a day using solar plus battery storage. “There’s solar that goes through our standard charge controller and inverter and that’s connected to a bank of batteries. It’s day and night usage,” he explains.
One of the goals of the project is to establish a self-sustaining business for residents. The money residents spend on electricity is used to pay the employees who work at the kiosk.
“We provide everything for the setup of the microgrid. When residents charge their cell phones, for example, they have to pay something nominal to charge them. That money goes to the business which pays employees,” says Szablya.
Initially, that project was designed to provide lighting for students, he says. Kids can come in with small, 5-17 amp battery boxes and charge them, then take them home. The battery boxes can be used with two small LED lights that can light up a home, he says.
But, interestingly, Kilowatts for Humanity discovered that residents only wanted lighting if it was very low-cost because they can use candles and kerosene lamps for lighting.
... residents only wanted lighting if it was very low-cost because they can use candles and kerosene lamps for lighting.
“They told us they’d rather have no light than expensive electricity,” he says. Instead, they wanted to charge items that candles and kerosene couldn’t charge–radio and television, for example.
This project has gotten a big boost from a local engineer, Likonge Makai Mulenga, wh0 started an NGO to establish rural electrification solutions. Kilowatts for Humanity identifies and helps train entrepreneurs like Mulenga.
