Updated on January 11, 2024

·

Created on October 5, 2018

Lumos Kit

Upcoming Update

The Lumos Kit is a solar home system with an integrated Pay-As-You-Go functionality.

Developed By
  1. Lumos
Tested By
  • Lighting Global
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

The Lumos Kit is a solar home system with a Pay-As-You-Go functionality developed and manufactured by Nova Lumos, Ltd. The system includes a solar panel, a battery, LED lamps for lightning, and 8 output ports through which mobile phones can be charged and TV, radios, or other products added.

Target SDGs

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Market Suggested Retail Price

$75.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Nova Lumos, Ltd and MTN.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Mobisol Solar Home System and M-KOPA IV Solar Home System.

Manufacturing/Building Method

This product is mass produced.

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

Users can obtain the Lumos Kit through MTN, which is Nova Lumo's mobile services partner. Customers can sign an agreement were they enter a 5-year lease with a first pay as a commitment fee. Once this is done in MTN's facilities, customers receive the Lumos Kit by choosing a 3, 7 or 30 days of energy utility service.  

Distributions to Date Status

As of 2016, sales up to more than 100,000 units were expected.

Description of power outputs

2 USBs and 6 DC outlets

Description of light points

2 LEDs

Total lighting service (lumen-hours per solar-day)

Unknown

Peak power rating (Wp)

83 Wp

Battery capacity (kWh; mAh)

25,000 mAh

Nominal battery voltage (V)

14.52 V

Battery type

Lithium ion

User replaceable battery (yes/no)

No

Remote system diagnostics (yes/no)

Yes

Payment structure

Pay-as-you-go

Mobile service required (yes/no)

Yes

Design Specifications

Specifications:

  • 1 - 83 W Polycrystalline solar panel
  • 1 - 25 Ah Lithium ion battery
  • 2 - LED lamps light points
  • 2 - USB ports
  • 6 - 12 V ports

Product Schematics

Technical Support

MTN mobile services company offers customer support 24/7 through a care line that is free for their subscribers. MTN´s staff has been trained on the Lumos energy kit. In case they can´t help with any specific technical problem, Lumos staff will intervene.  

Replacement Components

Only the solar panel and LED lamps can be replaced, the battery is not replaceable.

Lifecycle

Exact lifetime period unknown. However, the manufacturers offer repair services for the solar panel and indoor units during a period of 5 years.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Manufacturers specify as their solution: all day access to reliable electricity, safe, fumeless and noiseless power, small payments over 5 years, reduced energy bill by up to 1/3 and worry free with 5 years repair service.

Vetted Performance Status

Lighting Global (now VeraSol) verified the following quality standards categories: truth in advertising, lumen maintenance, battery composition, protection and durability, physical ingress protection, water ingress protection, soldering and electronics workmanship, mechanical durability, minimum warranty terms and performance reporting. GSMA conducted a case study on Lumos PAYGO systems in Nigeria. The company gave a grant to Lumos to trial prepaid utility services that uses airtime credit to test the feasibility of PAYG solar in West African markets with limited mobile money penetration. Through the pilot conducted the following key findings were identified:

  • Airtime is a viable payment mechanism for PAYG in markets with limited mobile money penetration.
  • PAYG energy can generate as much gross revenue as voice and SMS while reducing churn for mobile operators in large off-grid markets.
  • Mobile operators can provide a path to scale for sales and distribution.
  • The Lumos system is a viable alternative to household petrol generators.

Safety

If pressure is applied on the photovoltaic panel by sitting or stepping on it, the device might break and cause bodily injury or electrical shock. Precaution must be taken regarding electrical contacts or wiring, the person handling them must use adequate safety gear. To avoid electrical shock, the photovoltaic panel must be earth grounded. A minor risk of burns exists due to the heating of the photovoltaic panel's surface by the sun.

Complementary Technical Systems

The system can be upgraded by the addition of a television, fan or radio.

Academic Research and References

2016. Mobile for Development Utilities. Lumos: Pay-as-you-go solar in Nigeria with MTN. GSMA.

Home. n.d. MTN Online.

VeraSol Product Database – Lumos Family. n.d. data.verasol.org.

VeraSol. 2023. VeraSol Standardized Specifications Book – Lumos. storage.googleapis.com. VeraSol.

GSMA. 2016. Lessons Learned from Our Grantees: Lumos. Mobile for Development. November 16, 2016.

IEC TS 62257-9-5:2018 | IEC Webstore. n.d. webstore.iec.ch.

Lighting Global. 2018. Solar Home System Kit Quality Standards, Version 2.5. Lighting Global.

 

Compliance with regulations

Complies with IEC 62257-9-5.

Evaluation methods

Tested according to IEC/TS 62257-9-5 by Lighting Global.

Other Information

None.

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