Mera Gao Power Micro Grids

Mera Gao Power

Automated micro grids that produce, store, and distribute energy to small communities.

Snapshot
Manufacturing & delivery
Performance & use
Research & standards
Feedback

Product description Brand name and product description

The Mera Gao Power Micro Grid is designed to provide lighting for up to 100 households. It is implemented alongside a payback scheme in rural villages in Uttar Pradesh in Northern India, and distributed by Mera Gao Power, a lighting utility company.

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

India

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

This product is implemented by Mera Gao Power in communities in rural Uttar Pradesh in northern India

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

900 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

This product has several direct competitors in India, including Husk Power and the SELCO Foundation

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Target users for this product are rural communities in India that don’t yet have access to electricity.

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

This product is manufactured/assembled on-site, and requires a village mapping exercise before the system is installed.

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Trademarked

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

This product is distributed by Mera Gao Power to rural villages in northern India. Users are typically a community that does not have access to electricity.

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

As of 2016, at least 1,500 micro grids have been constructed in Uttar Pradesh, northern India, reaching over 100,000 people.

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Power rating (W or kW)

Manufacturer-specified power rating

300 W

System dimensions (m)

The size of land this system requires

1 x 2 m

Battery type

Type of battery used

Alkaline battery

Battery capacity (mAh)

200 Ah

Description of solar panels

The type and size of the solar panels included in this system

4 pieces, 75 W Monocrystalline Panel

Grid compatibility (yes/no)

Is this system compatible with a municipal power grid?

Description of mobility

Description of the mobility of the solar power system

Stationary

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

The micro grids consist of four solar panels mounted onto a household to produce 300 W peak, a battery bank with the capacity to store up to 2 days worth of power (roughly 200 Ah), a 24 VDC low-voltage power distribution network, and LED lamps for household lighting.

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Not available

Technical support Technical support provided by

Technical support is provided by trained technicians that visit each site every two weeks.

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

All components of the system are replaceable and are available in consultation with trained technicians.

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

The lifecycle of mono crystalline cells is up to 20 years. Paying subscribed customers will have components replaced free of charge as needed.

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

By providing lighting and mobile phone charging solutions for 2 USD per month per household, Mera Gao Power seeks to reduce the reliance on kerosene fuel while providing power for much needed amenities.

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

No testing of the product has been completed, however as Mera Gao Power operates as a lighting utility company, several organizations have evaluated the business model, including Yale School of Management.

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

None

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

Safety precautions include those associated with low voltage electrical distribution networks, as well as the storage of battery banks.

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

This product is designed to be a “plug and play” system, requiring no other technical systems to operate.

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

Bhattacharyya, S., Palit, D., 2016, Mini-grid based off-grid electrification to enhance electricity access in developing countries: What policies may be required?, Energy Policy, 94, pp. 166-78.

Urpelainen, J., 2016, Energy poverty and perceptions of solar power in marginalized communities: Survey evidence from Uttar Pradesh, India, Renewable Energy, 85, pp. 534-39.

Palit, D., Sarangi, G. and Krithika, P., 2014, Energising Rural India Using Distributed Generation: The Case of Solar Mini-Grids in Chhattisgarh State, India, Mini-Grids for Rural Electrification of Developing Countries, pp. 313-42.

The Yale School of Management has conducted research on the business model of Mera Gao Power, and have collated their information into this case study.

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

None

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

Mera Gao Power’s social impact has been evaluated by Yale School of Management as part of this case study.

Other information

This video is a useful resource in explaining Mera Gao Power’s vision, and how their micro grids are installed.

In context photographs (0)

You can use the form below to contribute a photo of this product.

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors

Please let us know your experience in using this product through comments below.

Snapshot

Product description Brand name and product description

Target region(s) Target region for distribution/implementation (listed by country if specified)

India

Distributors/implementing organizations Organization(s) distributing/deploying this product directly to communities/individuals?"

This product is implemented by Mera Gao Power in communities in rural Uttar Pradesh in northern India

Market suggested retail price Price per unit or service price per usage/terms (USD). Subsidies noted.

900 USD

Competitive landscape Similar products available on the market. May not be a comprehensive listing.

This product has several direct competitors in India, including Husk Power and the SELCO Foundation

SDG targeted United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targeted with this product/application/service

Goal 7: Affordable and clean energy

Target user(s) Target user/consumer base (country, income segment)

Target users for this product are rural communities in India that don’t yet have access to electricity.

Manufacturing & delivery

Manufacturing/building method(s) Detail regarding solution production or construction method (instructions, mass production capacity, custom made,etc...)

This product is manufactured/assembled on-site, and requires a village mapping exercise before the system is installed.

Product Intellectual Property Open source/IP protected (note patent)/trade secret/other?

Trademarked

User Provision Model Where can the product be purchased/acquired by end users?

This product is distributed by Mera Gao Power to rural villages in northern India. Users are typically a community that does not have access to electricity.

Distribution to date Number of units that have been deployed, downloads or users to date

As of 2016, at least 1,500 micro grids have been constructed in Uttar Pradesh, northern India, reaching over 100,000 people.

Performance & use

Fields marked are sourced values that have been evaluated by the manufacturer or a third party, all others are design specifications.

Power rating (W or kW)

Manufacturer-specified power rating

300 W

System dimensions (m)

The size of land this system requires

1 x 2 m

Battery type

Type of battery used

Alkaline battery

Battery capacity (mAh)

200 Ah

Description of solar panels

The type and size of the solar panels included in this system

4 pieces, 75 W Monocrystalline Panel

Grid compatibility (yes/no)

Is this system compatible with a municipal power grid?

Description of mobility

Description of the mobility of the solar power system

Stationary

Design specifications Component and Operation overview including power, portability, facility requirements, preventative maintenance and user training requirements

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Not available

Technical support Technical support provided by

Technical support is provided by trained technicians that visit each site every two weeks.

Replacement components Availability of replacement components (in-country, by order,...)

All components of the system are replaceable and are available in consultation with trained technicians.

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

The lifecycle of mono crystalline cells is up to 20 years. Paying subscribed customers will have components replaced free of charge as needed.

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

None

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

Safety precautions include those associated with low voltage electrical distribution networks, as well as the storage of battery banks.

Complementary technical systems Performance of this product is improved with another technology (eg. Cookstoves and Wind-blocking skirts)

This product is designed to be a “plug and play” system, requiring no other technical systems to operate.

Research & standards

Academic research Academic research related to the product (e.g. published papers in peer-reviewed journals)

Bhattacharyya, S., Palit, D., 2016, Mini-grid based off-grid electrification to enhance electricity access in developing countries: What policies may be required?, Energy Policy, 94, pp. 166-78.

Urpelainen, J., 2016, Energy poverty and perceptions of solar power in marginalized communities: Survey evidence from Uttar Pradesh, India, Renewable Energy, 85, pp. 534-39.

The Yale School of Management has conducted research on the business model of Mera Gao Power, and have collated their information into this case study.

Compliance with regulations Product certifications and standards referenced by designer/manufacturer

None

Evaluation methods Evaluation methods/protocols/guidelines referenced by designer or manufacturer.

Mera Gao Power’s social impact has been evaluated by Yale School of Management as part of this case study.

Other information

This video is a useful resource in explaining Mera Gao Power’s vision, and how their micro grids are installed.

Feedback

In context photographs (0)

You can use the form below to contribute a photo of this product.

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors

Please let us know your experience in using this product through comments below.

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Mera Gao Power Micro Grids

Mera Gao Power

In context photographs (0)

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors