By John Barrie | Founder, The Appropriate Technology Collaborative
For many of the families who purchase Mayan Power and Light Solar Home Systems (SHS) we are the first, only and last solar technology providers they will ever see. We bring bright LED lights, cell phone chargers and other electronics to very remote parts of Guatemala.
However, all SHS sold today have a problem. Solar panels are very durable, they produce free electricity for about 20 years. LED lights are much the same, they last even longer than solar panels. SHS electronics don't wear out, but batteries do. At the end of 5 years batteries don't hold much of a charge. Some types of batteries quit working altogether.
When batteries fail many families abandon their Solar Home Systems. Some revert to burning kerosene lamps and candles to see at night even though 75% of their SHS still works!
We are designing a new battery management system where the batteries last about as long as the solar panels. Our goal is to design a SHS where all the components are matched such that they all last about 20 years, hence the name Solar-20. So far we have designed a proof of concept circuit board that extends the life of a single Lithium battery cell. Now it’s time for testing and building battery packs for the long run!
Here is a short video on Solar-20: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVc-nuHCXTI
Our Solar-20 battery project is moving to the front burner at ATC tech. development in Ann Arbor MI. Solar-20 is part of the American Made Solar Challenge, a rapid pace competition designed to bring new innovative solar products to market. In just a few months we will have proof of concept models for several different SHS.
Thank you for helping us get solar power to more families while saving tons of greenhouse gasses!
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