Updated on January 13, 2024

·

Created on June 6, 2016

Simpa Solar Home System

Upcoming Update

A pay-as-you-go solar home system available in India.

Developed By
  1. Simpa Networks
Content Partners
Unknown

Author

Product Description

The Simpa Solar Home System is an integrated home energy system that includes an embedded keypad (Simpa Regulator) combined with the Progressive Purchase platform. The platform provides pay as you go solution for end-users. The hardware system includes a solar panel, battery for energy storage, lights, fan, and device charging ports. The software system (Simpa Revenue Management System) is a centralized solution in the cloud, accessible via SMS gateway and over the internet, for payment processing and accounts settlement.

Simpa Networks is headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Target SDGs

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Market Suggested Retail Price

$80.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Household, Community, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Simpa Networks employs payroll sales agents and has registered dealers who distribute the systems.

Manufacturing/Building Method

Simpa's components are manufactured by partners in India and China. Solar panels are made of monocrystalline and multi-crystalline material. The metering mechanism is composed of a glass display and a rubber keyboard. The enclosure box is made of sheet metal. Simpa’s vendor in Chennai, India, assembles all its electric circuits, but the meter and hardware design are performed in-house. The company’s LED lights are sourced from Solarland and Schneider Electric. Each light is assembled from glass and aluminum, with fitted electric wires. Simpa’s fan, made of fiber-plastic, is sourced from its supplier in China.

Intellectural Property Type

Patent

User Provision Model

Users can obtain the product directly from Simpa Networks.

Distributions to Date Status

As of 2019, Simpa Networks has deployed 44,049  Solar Home Systems. The company has provided 352,655 users with clean energy, and 7,623,496 KWh of generated energy.

Description of power outputs

3 VAC outlet

Description of light points

3 LEDs

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

Unknown

Peak power rating (Wp)

50 Wp – 100 Wp

Battery capacity (kWh; mAh)

18 Ah – 42 Ah

Nominal battery voltage (V)

12 V

Battery type

Lead-acid battery

User replaceable battery (yes/no)

Yes

Remote system diagnostics (yes/no)

Unknown

Payment structure

Pay-as-you-go

Mobile service required (yes/no)

No

Design Specifications

Simpa Networks offers systems with panel ratings ranging from 30 - 100 watts and battery sizes ranging from 17 - 26 Ah. Pay as you go functionality is enabled through retail agents and a keypad approach. Mobile payments are not yet widespread in India, as compared to parts of the African SHS market. Therefore, customers must pay a Simpa agent and receive a code until the system is paid off entirely. The code refers to a specific number of days of energy availability Interview with representative, June 2016.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Provided by Simpa Networks. The installation of the SHS is done by Sympa Certified Technicians. For technical support, it is possible to contact Simpa Networks with questions. Customers can reach out to the Customer Care number directly, or they can ask their Customer Relationship Associate who can visit their home or speak to them by phone.

Replacement Components

Users can purchase replacement components from Simpa Networks.

Lifecycle

7 - 10 years with a 3-year warranty on the system and a 1-year warranty on the battery interview with representative.

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Unknown

Vetted Performance Status

Unknown

Safety

Precaution must be taken regarding electrical contacts, users must refer to proper electrical installation and control guidelines.

Complementary Technical Systems

Users may be able to upgrade their Sympa Solar System with the appropriate technical knowledge and sufficient energy generation. Such upgrades include televisions, radios, or more lights.

Academic Research and References

Prabhakar Yadar, Anthony P. Heynen, Debajit Palit, 2019, Pay-As-You-Go Financing: A model for viable and widespread deployment of solar home systems in rural India, Energy for Sustainable Development, 48, 139-153.

REMMP Case Study, 2016, Using Innovative Metering Technology for Pre-Paid Solar Systems to Increase Affordability for India’s Energy Poor, Renewable Energy Microfinance and Microenterprise Program.

Gerard, H., Varshney, K. R., Rao, K., Kabra, K., Simithraaratchy, M., & Needham, G. P. , 2015, Predictive Modeling of Customer Repayment for Sustainable Pay-As-You-Go Solar Power in Rural India.

Moreno, A., & Bareisaite, A., 2015, Scaling up access to electricity: pay-as-you-go plans in off-grid energy services, World Bank Group.

Patil, A., Acharya, J., & Jain, A., 2013, Affordable Pay-As-You-Go Solar Power for India’s Energy-Poor Homes, Asian Development Bank.

Reichert, P., & Trivella, U., 2015, Increasing energy access: the rise of pay-as-you-go solar and innovative financing partnerships. Enterprise Development and Microfinance, 26(3), 248–261.

Simpa Networks | Proparco – Groupe Agence Française de Développement. n.d. www.proparco.fr.

Simpa Networks | LinkedIn. 2015. in.linkedin.com. September 7, 2015.

Proparco. 2016. Simpa Networks: An Equity Investment to Develop Access to Electricity in Rural Areas in India. www.proparco.fr. Proparco.

Simpa Networks: Clean Energy through Mobile Payment. 2016. www.seveaconsulting.com. France: Sevea Consulting.

Needham, Paul, Michael MacHarg, and Jacob Winiecki. 2015. Techniques for Progressive Purchasing, issued January 2015.

Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001. 2001. www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in.

TeamLease Regtech Pvt. Ltd. n.d. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 & Batteries (Management and Handling) Rules, 2001. www.avantis.co.in. TeamLease Regtech Pvt. Ltd.

 

Compliance with regulations

Simpa Solar Home Systems follow the Indian Battery (management and handling) rules. They are also in compliance with the relevant regulations under the Indian Environment Protection Act.

Evaluation methods

The manufacturers cite product failure rate and the number of component replacements per month, as evaluation criteria.

Other Information

More information about Simpa products can be found on their news website. A video showcasing the Simpa product can be found here.

Comments from the Community

1 Comment

  1. Iana Aranda says:

    as per Bob: All
    medical device manufacturers must have the ability to collect customer
    complaints, evaluate them and address each of them. No mention of this regulatory requirement is
    made in the product specifications.

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