Solar Panel
Today I met with people from GTZ (Dutch-German Partnership Energising Development) about a solar product that they are attempting to launch both here in Boane and in Matutuine in districts that are off the energy grid. There are two products 1) a solar lamp with built in radio ($40) 2) a larger battery unit that you can plug lights, cellphone chargers, radios, etc. into. ($100). While that price may seem cheap to you, it seems a bit expensive to me. Let me tell you why.
GTZ wants to microfinance the purchase of these products with a loan term of 6 months. $40 is around MT 1200, so over 6 months you would be paying back principal of MT 200/month plus interest. A typical monthly energy bill for a Mozambican family is around MT 300-400. So in financing your solar lamp you’re almost paying the equivalent of an entire months energy bill while only getting one lamp. Won’t these people feel cheated, or do you think the marginal benefit of one unit of lighting is so great that it is worth making a payment almost equal to a monthly energy bill. Obviously after 6 months you don’t have to make any more payments, but the lamp is also only guaranteed for 6 months. And keep in mind that these people don’t otherwise have energy. So maybe I’m wrong?
If a solar panel can be produced for $2/watt and LED lamps can be run with 1 or 2 watts of energy shouldn’t a solar lamp products cost less than $10? Scientists?
