A solar-home-system uses a photovoltaic (solar-electric) module to provide power for lights and small appliances. The system also needs a rechargeable battery, so that power is still available at night and on cloudy days.
Solar-home-systems bring huge benefits to homes in developing countries which aren’t connected to the mains electricity grid. They replace smoky, unsafe kerosene lamps with brighter light, allowing work, study and social activities after dark. They also power radios and cellphone chargers, enabling families to be in contact with the wider world. The smallest systems are solar lanterns, which can be moved around the home or carried outdoors.
Solar-home-systems and solar lanterns already provide power to millions of homes in Asia, Africa and Latin America. Similar systems are also used in off-grid schools and health centres.
Read on for more information about solar-home-systems, or go to our databasefor films and case studies of Ashden Award winners who use solar home systems.
How a solar-home-system works
Photovoltaic (PV) modules use semiconductor materials to generate d.c. electricity from sunlight. A large area is needed to collect as much sunlight as possible, so the semiconductor is either made into thin, flat, crystalline cells, or deposited as a very thin continuous layer onto a support material. The semiconductor must be sealed into a weatherproof casing, with suitable electrical connectors.
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