Agriculture
January 15, 2024
A-Light S
Read SolutionImplemented by
Ambros Huber
Updated on December 10, 2023
·Created on October 13, 2020
The d.Light S30 is a portable, omnidirectional, solar-powered lantern with a handle for carrying or hanging.
The d.Light S30 is a battery-powered LED lantern charged by an integrated solar panel, which replaces d.Light’s previous S20 model. Its conical design redirects light in all directions. It can be placed upside-down on its angled top to focus light upwards and it has a metal hanging handle for carrying the lantern or hanging it up from a hook. It features two brightness settings, smart LED indicator for solar charge intensity and a glow-in-the-dark on/off button to assist in turning on the lantern at night. It is made from UV resistant plastic that makes it resistant to drops and frequent rain.
From a full day’s charging on a clear, sunny day it can provide 12 hours of light in its standard or 3 hours of light in its high brightness setting.
The product was designed and is manufactured by d.Light Design, who distributes it through a global network of importers, distributors, and retailers.
d.Light designs and manufactures solar products “for the 2 billion people in the developing world without access to reliable electricity”. The S30 specifically targets those who currently use candles or kerosene for lighting.
Target SDGs
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Market Suggested Retail Price
$9.90
Target Users (Target Impact Group)
Household
Distributors / Implementing Organizations
The product is sold by online retailers and locally through d.Light's 25,000 retail outlets across 70 countries worldwide.
Competitive Landscape
Direct competitors include Crush Light, Consol Solar Jar, and MPOWERD Luci Original.
Manufacturing/Building Method
The product is mass-produced in China.
Intellectural Property Type
Trademark
User Provision Model
Users can purchase the product from one of d.Light's 25,000 retail outlets across 70 countries or online.
Distributions to Date Status
Unknown
Lamp type
LED
Number of light points
1
Total light output (lumens)
60 lumens
Multiple brightness settings (yes/no)
Yes (low, high)
Light duration on single charge (hr)
3 hours
Mobile charging (yes/no)
No
Power source
Integrated solar panel; the product can also be charged with grid power using a standard Nokia charger (not included with the product).
Battery type
Lithium Iron Phosphate
Peak power rating (Wp)
0.33 Wp
Battery capacity (kWh; mAh)
0.00144 kWh; 450 mAh
Battery nominal voltage (V)
3.2 V
User replaceable battery (yes/no)
No
User replaceable light (yes/no)
Unknown
Design Specifications
The d.Light S30 is a solar LED lantern powered by a Lithium Iron Phosphate battery (450 mAh, 3.2 V). It is charged by an integrated monocrystalline silicon solar panel (0.33 Wp), or can also be charged with grid power using a standard Nokia phone charger (not included when purchasing this product). The 2 LEDs inside the light point emit white light and are listed for a 60,000-hour lifetime. The product has two brightness settings and from a full day's charging on a clear, sunny day it can provide 12 hours of light in its standard or 3 hours of light in its high (60 lm) brightness setting. The d.Light S30 features a multiple-setting metal handle that allows for carrying or hanging from a hook. It also features a smart LED indicator for solar charge intensity, a glow-in-the-dark button and is manufactured from UV resistant plastic that also makes it weather resistant to sun and rain. The product's conical design redirects light in all directions. This is assisted by its ability to be placed upside-down on its angled top to focus light upwards. Further specifications are available from the manufacturer.
Technical Support
Products within the 2 year warranty period (from the date of purchase) can be returned to the retailer at a user's point of purchase for replacement free of charge. Beyond that, d.Light provides customer support.
Replacement Components
Replaceable components include the battery, however, specialized tools are required to perform this replacement, and replacement of any component voids the warranty.
Lifecycle
d.Light state the product lifetime as "well over 5 years (inclusive of battery)". They also provide a 2-year warranty which covers product failure from normal use. The conditions on the warranty are listed here.
Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters
d.Light intend the S30 to be suitable for lighting a home, shop, or stall without having to use kerosene or candles. They specify that the product is portable, sturdy, weather-resistant for sun and rain, maintenance-free, 6x brighter than kerosene, and safe compared to candles and kerosene. They also specify that it can be used daily even during cloudy conditions.
Vetted Performance Status
Lighting Global confirmed that the d.Light S30 complies with the Lighting Global Quality Standards by testing according to the Quality Test Method given in edition 3 of IEC/TS 62257-9-5. The testing categories (all passed) are Truth In Advertising; Lumen Maintenance; Battery Composition; Battery Protection; Battery Durability; Physical Ingress Protection; Water Ingress Protection; Drop Test; Soldering and Electronics Workmanship; Mechanical Durability; Minimum Warranty Terms; Performance Reporting.
Safety
No known safety hazards are related to this product. Users must take appropriate precautions when using grid power to charge this device.
Complementary Technical Systems
d.Light supplies multiple solar products from solar lanterns to solar home systems.
Academic Research and References
Narayan, N., Vega-Garita, V., Qin, Z., Popovic-Gerber, J., Bauer, P., Zeman, M, 2020, The Long Road to Universal Electrification: A Critical Look at Present Pathways and Challenges. Energies, 13, 508.
Integrating a photovoltaic storage system in one device: A critical review. Prog Photovolt Res Appl, 27, pp. 346– 370.
, , , ., 2019,Vega Garita, V., 2019, Integrating a Photovoltaic Panel and a Battery Pack in One Module: From concept to prototype. Ph.D. dissertation, Delft University of Technology.
Note:
The d.Light S30 receives specific mention in three pieces of academic research. These refer to it as a pico-solar product in the solar lantern market and specifically having an integrated solar panel, but it is not investigated or analyzed as part of the research. Further research regarding the impact of solar lanterns is highlighted below:
Kinoti, M., 2018, Socio-Economic Impact of Solar Lamp Lighting in Kibera Slum, Kenya. International Journal of Professional Practice, 6(4), pp. 30-36.
2019, Short-Term Impacts of Solar Lanterns on Child Health: Experimental Evidence from Bangladesh. The Journal of Development Studies, 55(11), 2329-2346.
Lemaire, X., 2018, Solar home systems and solar lanterns in rural areas of the Global South: What impact? WIREs Energy Environ, 7(5), e301.
Shepherd, C., 2018, Misreading the night: The shadows and light of a solar technology. The Promise of Prosperity: Visions of the Future in Timor-Leste. J. M. Bovensiepen, ed., ANU Press, pp. 205-221.
D.light S30 family solar lantern with 0.3W in-built solar panel transparent textured safe for eyes: Solar lights for home garden outdoor, solar lights with panel, Amazon.in: Home & Kitchen
Solar Products | D.light. n.d.
Why Choose Us – D.light | D.light. n.d.
Case Study Renewable Energy | D.light. n.d.
D.light S30 | Power4all. n.d.
S30 Solar LED Lantern | D.light. n.d.
Quality Warranty | D.light. n.d.
Customer Support | D.light. n.d.
About us | D.light. n.d.
IEC TS 62257-9-5:2018 | IEC Webstore. n.d. Webstore.iec.ch.
About us | Lighting Global. n.d.
Lighting Global Product Testing and Laboratory Eligibility Policy (Version 3.1). n.d.
Products | Lighting Global. n.d.
Conformity Assessment Programmes (CAP). n.d. www.intertek.com.
ISO. 2015. ISO 9001:2015. ISO.
ISO. 2018. ISO 14001:2015. ISO.
D.light | Lighting Global. 2013. May 14, 2013.
Compliance with regulations
The d.Light S30 is certified under SONCAP and PVoC for import into Nigeria and Kenya respectively. It also complies with IEC Technical Specification 62257-9-5 as tested by Lighting Global using the Quality Test Method. The factory where the product is constructed complies with ISO standards ISO 9001:2015 - Quality Management Systems and ISO 14001:2015 - Environmental Management Systems.
Evaluation methods
The Quality Test Method (QTM) is the full test method within IEC Technical Specification 62257-9-5 used by Lighting Global to verify comprehensive product performance. Results from QTM testing determine if a product meets the Lighting Global Minimum Quality Standards. As part of the QTM, the d.Light S30 has passed the following Durability tests: Drop test, Switch and Connector Cycling, Strain Relief Test, Physical Ingress Protection Test, Protection from Frequent Rain
Other Information
d.Light's role in providing solar lanterns to replace kerosene lamps and the impacts this can have received a mention here: International Finance Corporation, 2018, Kakuma as a Marketplace: A consumer and market study of a refugee camp and town in northwest Kenya. IFC Report. The hazards associated with kerosene lighting are also discussed in this Acumen blog post.
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