Devergy Solar Home System

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Devergy

Manufacturing/Building Method

Unknown

Intellectural Property Type

Open Source

User Provision Model

Devergy visits the target village to obtain information about the energy requirements and individual features of the village. Using a community-based communication approach, Devergy makes the users a part of the decision-making process, through meetings with the villages, elders, and leaders. After gathering the information needed, Devergy technicians install the towers and connect the interested users to the grid. The customers can buy electricity for a week and power their TV for an evening. Payments are done cashless by means of the Serengeti software. Energy recharge is available as long as the payment is registered by the software.

Distributions to Date Status

Devergy had connected 1,000 households to microgrids in 6 villages, as of 2018. In Tanzania, more than 100 new connections are added every month.

Design Specifications

The mini-grid consists of a modular tower containing a solar PV system with a battery pack, charge controller, and distribution network. Each mini-grid supplies 4-5 clustered houses, each of them with an individual smart-metering system. The system is monitored 24 hours a day, and its capacity can be adapted when more energy supply is required. The network supplies power in 24V DC. Each customer receives approximately 250W of power for lighting, mobile phone charging, and appliances for household or small-business use.

Technical Support

Devergy is responsible for the operations and maintenance of the mini-grids. Technical support and sales are provided by means of a village agent, selected by the village committee and trained by Devergy.

Replacement Components

The mini-grids are not designed to be maintained by the users. When additional capacity or replacement of components is needed, Devergy is notified by the remote monitoring system and perform the changes needed.

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The designers are focused on developing a robust tech-enabled business model with the following features: Limited power, initially deployed per customer, a pre-pay for time/energy bundles system, back-end software monitors usage, and modular capacity. By 2022, Devergy expects to reach 100,000 grid connections, 2,300 kWp installed, and a total of 21,400 CO₂ tons reduction.

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown

Safety

No considerable safety concerns are involved within this system, due to its distribution voltage of only 24 V. However, care must be taken in the case of a ground fault, as the conductors which link the interconnected households are on the air.

Complementary Technical Systems

Devergy supplies its users with efficient DC products, such as lighting equipment, refrigerators, TVs, etc.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

The model works in accordance with Tanzania's government program "Rural Energy for Rural Electrification", which promotes the participation of private enterprises and NGOs on setting up micro and mini-grids on the rural areas of Tanzania.

Other Information

News, gallery, and media about Devergy.