ClimateSmart™ Solar Energy System

Product Description

The ClimateSmart™ Solar Energy System designed by SunCulture is an energy management system with a Lithium-ion battery, solar panels, and MPPT charging capabilities. The system can be used to power lights and TV’s, charge phones. The ClimateSmart system is sold as a bundle with a RainMaker2 pump, and is intended to power and monitor the water pump for crop irrigation.

Market Suggested Retail Price

$1,184.67

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

This product is implemented directly to consumers in Africa by SunCulture.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Unknown

Intellectural Property Type

Trademarked

User Provision Model

Consumers can purchase this product by contacting SunCulture or visiting a regional office in Kenya.

Distributions to Date Status

Unknown

Design Specifications

The ClimateSmart Solar Energy Home System is sold in a bundle with the RainMaker2. The package comes with several components: a submersible irrigation pump, a 300 W roof-mounted solar panel, 100 m of 25 mm PN10 PE pipe, four sprinklers with fittings, 50 m of electrical cable, four 600 lumen LED lightbulbs with a 5 m cable and switch, and a ClimateSmart^™ system which includes a lithium-ion battery and MPPT charging controller. The ClimateSmart^™ system collects power from the solar panel, allowing the user to use the power for the irrigation pump and the lights or other electronics.

Technical Support

Technical support is provided by SunCulture through their website or through their regional offices in Kenya.

Replacement Components

Replaceable components include the battery, solar panels, and lightbulbs.

Lifecycle

This product includes a 3-year warranty and the battery has an expected lifetime of 5 years.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The designer specifies that the ClimateSmart Home Energy System can provide 300 W at maximum input, and power TV, the Rainmaker2 pump, 600 lumen light bulbs, and charge other electronic devices.

Vetted Performance Status

Testing performed by The Impact Programme found the RainMaker 2 saved customers time and money over traditional diesel pumps and manual irrigation methods, and that almost half of the customers reported an increase in farm yields and income. Testing by the International Electrotechnical Commission and the International Organization for Standardization concluded that the ClimateSmart Solar Energy System is IP64 dust and water resistant- splashing against the enclosure from any direction has no harmful effects.

Safety

Potential hazards related to this product include electric shock, risk of fire, and physical injury due to equipment failure.

Complementary Technical Systems

The ClimateSmart™ Solar Energy System is sold by SunCulture as a package with the RainMaker 2. Sunculture also sells add-on technology such as a drip irrigation kit and a television.

Academic Research and References

Warnecke, T., and Houndonougbo, A. N., 2016, Let There Be Light: Social Enterprise, Solar Power, and Sustainable Development. Journal of Economic Issues., 50(2), pp. 362–372.

Alstone, P., Gershenson, D., and Kammen, D.M., 2015, Decentralized energy systems for clean electricity access. Nature Climate Change No. 5, pp. 305-314

Compliance with regulations

This product meets the testing certifications IEC 60950, IEC 61730, and ISO 9001:2015.

Other Information

SunCulture won the Global LEAP Awards in 2019 for their ClimateSmart Direct™ solar irrigation system.