The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) will soon publish quality standards for pico-solar products and solar home system kits. This Technical Note summarizes the transition from the Lighting Global Quality Standards to the IEC standards and outlines important considerations for governments and other institutions.
Lithium-ion batteries are cost-effective, high capacity, and capable of long cycle life when properly used in off-grid products. They can, however, present a serious safety hazard if poorly manufactured or improperly charged and discharged. Good design practices can mitigate the danger from these batteries and should always be used for off-grid products. This Technical Note … Read More
This Technical Note is a 2019 update on the current state of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology. It describes the basic functional elements of Li-ion battery cells, compares several existing and emerging lithium-ion battery technologies, and provides a brief overview of safety, testing, and transportation issues involved in designing products with lithium-ion batteries. This Technical Note … Read More
In 2018, as part of ongoing efforts to bolster the off-grid solar market, Lighting Global Quality Assurance investigated the USB charging performance of off-grid solar products. Laboratory tests were conducted to assess the USB compatibility and charge times of product combinations. The testing demonstrated both successful charging performance and also identified problems that may occur … Read More
This compliance guide details the consumer-facing information that pico-solar and solar home system kit manufacturers must include in order to meet the Lighting Global Quality Standards. It is intended for marketing and communications professionals who may have limited familiarity with the Lighting Global Program and/or the Lighting Global Quality Standards. On April 11, 2019, Lighting Global … Read More
This Technical Note provides guidance on procuring pico-solar and solar home system (SHS) kits for humanitarian aid. It presents the relevance of the Lighting Global Quality Standards, key procurement considerations, and a step-by-step procurement guide.
In 2017, Lighting Global tested 17 top-selling, non-quality verified solar products from retail stores in Ethiopia, Kenya, Myanmar, Nigeria, and Tanzania. All 17 products failed to meet Lighting Global Quality Assurance (QA) standards for pico-PV products, which test for energy efficiency, product durability, and other factors important to off-grid consumer experience. Results indicate that non-quality … Read More
This article examines the issue of insects attracted to lights in the nighttime environment and the risk to people from insects carrying diseases. A review of the current understanding is given, along with possible ways to reduce attraction, in the context of LEDs used in off-grid lighting products.
Cette Note technique explique l’importance et les avantages de l’harmonisation au niveau international d’un cadre d’assurance qualité pour les produits solaires photovoltaïques de petite dimension, dits pico-photovoltaïques (pico-PV). Les avantages sont décrits pour les groupes spécifiques de parties prenantes, et le résumé du cadre d’assurance qualité de Global Lighting est fourni à titre de référence.
As the worldwide demand for pico-PV products increases, internationally harmonized quality standards support sustainable market growth and ensure that consumers have access to reliable off-grid energy services. Lighting Global has established the most widely recognized and robust quality assurance framework for pico-PV products in the world, which is well positioned to serve as the foundation … Read More