Schneider Electric has provided lighting to 80 households within a powerless village in Mount Frere, Eastern Cape, one of the poorest regions in South Africa. This is in line with Schneider’s BipBop programme which stands for Business, Innovation and People at the Base of the Pyramid. It addresses three key issues for providing sustainable access to electricity: a lack of appropriate equipment, an absence of financial resources and a skills and expertise shortage.
Schneider Electric has equipped each household with In-Diya LED lamps that are powered by a solar charged battery. The lamps have a 20-year lifespan and can light a 4 x 4 metre room for between eight and 15 hours. Based on a decision made by the village’s residents, one household was also furnished with an In-Diya battery charging station, where a small fee is paid to recharge batteries. These funds are managed by the community forum to pay the resident who manages the re-charge station and will also be ploughed back into the community.
The solution will a profound effect on the lives of the villagers by reducing reliance on the use of candles and paraffin, with the associated health and fire risks, and allowing students to do homework using good quality light instead of a candle or lamp.
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