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Prepared
by:
Shahid Siddique
Manager Engineering
Shaan
technologies Export Processing Zone Karachi
Acknowledgment:
I
am indebted to Mr. Shahid Khan CEO Indus Earth, Mr. Shamim
Hassan Field Engineer Indus Earth, Kereem, Wahid Baloch,
Akram and other residents of village who gave us full support
during installation work. I also would like to acknowledge
contribution of Mr. Shamim for the assistance in preparation
of this report.
Shahid
Siddique
Light
is hope; each day at dawn it brings colors in life. To wait
for the sun to rise before able to see would be a terrible
thing today. The people who discovered fire used it to light
rooms at night. Those who could afford it used candles. Later,
fuel kerosene was used in special lamps. As time passed, an
illuminating gas provided light in the homes and on the streets.
Finally, electricity came along and now it is largest energy
source for artificial light.
In
developing countries millions of peoples are still living
without electricity. Electrification of remote areas requires
huge investment. Poor economy does not allow governments
to provide electricity to maximum population. In this scenario,
Alternative energy like solar power is best and comparatively
low cost solution.
There
are thousands of villages in Pakistan today whose inhabitants
live in the dark and have been without electricity for
centuries. In Pakistan few organizations and entrepreneurs
are working for changing life in less privileged areas
and poverty alleviation. They can use Solar energy as one
effective tool for this purpose.
This
article is all about a solar powered lighting project that
can be presented as an example. This project was started
by a Pakistani NGO “Indus Earth Trust” with
the help of funding organization and manufacturer of Solar
Lighting system.
“ Abdullah Village” that is situated 18 Kilometers from Maripur,
Karachi was selected for this project. Village is around 300 years old. There
are 160 huts in village. Population of the village is near about 1500 peoples
in which majority of peoples are females and children. Profession of most of
the people is fishing. Man spends weeks for fishing in deep sea. Women cut wood
from forest and then sold to earn money for their families. They make grass matt
and Rallies (A patched cloth matt) in spare time.
Village
has one primary school. Health facilities are not available
in the area so people travel quite long.
Due
to coastal area underground water is not suitable for human
consumption. Another source of water that they are using
is 1.5 kilometer away from the village.
Mr.
Lodhie President, “Ledtronics Inc. USA” has
been testing solar-powered LED lighting, village LED street
lighting and solar powered water pumps in different locations
of Pakistan in association with the NRSP, one of the best
and most accountable and effective NGOs in Pakistan.
In
2004 Mr. Pervaiz Lodhie demonstrated his solar LED home
lighting system before Shahid Khan CEO Indus Earth trust
for his projects. After getting detailed requirements & feedback
from Indus Earth Trust, he designed and proposed present
Solar System for streetlights and home lighting system
for rural areas.
Both
home & streetlight systems were designed in Ledtronics
Inc Los Angeles. Shaan Technologies assembled and tested
all units in manufacturing facility at Export processing
zone Karachi. Shaan Technologies also gave technical support
in terms of poles and solar panel mounting frame designs
as well as installation of the units.
Night
of 27th April 2006 is one of the happiest nights for the
residents of Abdullah village when after a very hot sunny
day they first time saw the cool and bright LED solar lights
on the pathways around their homes that were brightening
the streets like moonlight.
In
first Phase, Shaan Technologies Installed 13 out of 15
Solar Streetlights in various parts of the village. Technical
staff of Indus Earth installed the remaining 2 units. In
second phase 10 more units will be installed.
These
lights cover area of 20 ft and gives1.8-2 fc illumination
at ground level. For each light, 198 high intensity Light
emitting diodes are used. A 25 watt solar panel charges
one 12 volt 18Ah sealed lead acid battery.
System
is equipped with a smart charge controller that protects
battery, from overcharging. It also disconnects power to
lamp when battery voltage drops to a preset level. These
smart protections significantly increase battery life.
In
June 2006 Shaan Technologies also installed a solar cell
phone charger in one hut on trial. This unit is designed
for Nokia and Samsung cell phone but can be used for other
brands using compatible connectors.
These
lights changed our lives. We started a new life, we get
to gather under the light & enjoy the cool nights after
hot days Akram a fisherman told.
Women
of the village are very happy. We cleaned and leveled the
area near the lights where we make mats, sew garments,
wash cloths and discuss matter of interest, Mai Hawwa wife
of head of the village said.
Now
my family dines in this light; my kids read and complete
their homework, a woman told.
There
are many women here that are very good embroiderer; now
they are working late night. These lights are also helping
them for earning more money.
Abdul
Kareem, head of the village told that peoples in this village
are very poor. There are many peoples in the village that can’t
buy kerosene for using in lanterns. These solar lights are
a blessing for us. Due to these lights incidents of snake and
scorpions bit has been significantly decreased. Now our cattle
are safe from theft at night. We are very grateful to all who
did this wonderful work for us he added.
Please
click here to see the event photos |
