Sahara Energy Portable Solar Generator

Sahara Energy

A series of portable solar electric generators manufactured in Ethiopia.

Snapshot
Manufacturing & delivery
Performance & use
Research & standards
Feedback

Product description Brand name and product description

Sahara Energy manufacturers solar-powered generators in Addis Ababa, available in seven different models.

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

Ethiopia

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

Local sales agents

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

500 W generator: $500 USD

1000 W generator: $850 USD

2000 W generator: $1500 USD

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

Diesel generators, locally-distributed solar home systems, and Ethiopian-made solar generators such as AIMS Power inverters and panels.

A report by Melessaw Shanko describes Ethiopia’s solar energy market.

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

Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

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

Farmers in rural regions surrounding Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.^{Interview with manufacturers}

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

Sahara Energy manufacturers their units in a 120 m² workshop in Addis Ababa. The generators are built in the following work stations: (1) Material cutting, (2) Material grinding, (3) Chassis assembly, (4) Paint spraying, (5) Electronics assembly, (6) Quality control testing, and (7) Packaging.^{Interview with manufacturer}

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

Trade secret

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

Sahara Energy Solar generators can be purchased directly from the manufacturer or through local sales agents. Units are also available for rent form the manufacturer.^{Interview with manufacturer}

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

8 units^{Interview with manufacturer}

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

Description of power outputs

Number and type of power outputs

1 - 2 (depending on model)

Description of light points

Number and type of light points

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

Manufacturer-specified lumen-hours per solar day

16 - 160 hours (depending on model)

Peak power rating (Wp)

Peak power rating of the solar panel in standardized sunlight conditions, provided by the manufacturer

700 - 3000 (depending on model)

Battery capacity (kWh; mAh)

Manufacturer-specified battery capacity

96.3 - 120.0 (depending on model)

Nominal battery voltage (V)

Manufacturer-specified battery voltage

220 V

Battery type

Type of battery used

Battery

User replaceable battery (yes/no)

Can the user easily replace the battery if needed?

Yes

Remote system diagnostics (yes/no)

Can this system be monitored remotely?

Payment structure

Type of user payment structure

Purchase unit directly from the manufacturer

Mobile service required (yes/no)

Does this system require mobile connectivity (either for payments or to function)?

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

The solar generators are available in eight models, as described below:

Model No.	System Voltage (V)	Average Energy Production (kWh/day)	Battery power (kWh)	Inverter Capacity (W)	PV Surface (m²)	AC Power Outlets (#)
SA-700-1p	12	0.66	0.34	700	1.0	1
SA-700-2p	24	2.12	1.3	1600	3.4	1
SA-700-3p	24	3.18	2.0	1600	5.1	1
SA-700-4p	24	4.26	2.5	2400	7.0	2
SA-700-6p	24	6.36	4.0	3000	10.2	2
SA-700-7p	48	8.48	5.0	4000	15.0	2
SA-700-8p	48	12.72	7.8	4000	22.0	2

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Unavailable

Technical support Technical support provided by

Available from the manufacturer

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

Replacement components (such as the charge controller and inverter) are available from the manufacturer.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

20 years for the solar panel and 5 years for the battery.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

The manufacturer aims to produce renewable energy solutions for rural farmers in Ethiopia.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

This product has not been third-party tested.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

None

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

Standard precautions when handling electronics.

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

Accessories such as lights and appliances.

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

None

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

Sahara Energy has two production licenses: (1) Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Revenue & (2) Ethiopian Energy Authority.

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

In-house quality testing only – this product has not yet been third-party tested.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Other information

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

Sahara Energy manufacturers solar-powered generators in Addis Ababa, available in seven different models.

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

Ethiopia

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

Local sales agents

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

500 W generator: $500 USD

1000 W generator: $850 USD

2000 W generator: $1500 USD

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

Diesel generators, locally-distributed solar home systems, and Ethiopian-made solar generators such as AIMS Power inverters and panels.

A report by Melessaw Shanko describes Ethiopia’s solar energy market.

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

Goal 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

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

Farmers in rural regions surrounding Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.^{Interview with manufacturers}

Manufacturing & delivery

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

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

Trade secret

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

Sahara Energy Solar generators can be purchased directly from the manufacturer or through local sales agents. Units are also available for rent form the manufacturer.^{Interview with manufacturer}

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

8 units^{Interview with manufacturer}

Performance & use

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

Description of power outputs

Number and type of power outputs

1 - 2 (depending on model)

Description of light points

Number and type of light points

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

Manufacturer-specified lumen-hours per solar day

16 - 160 hours (depending on model)

Peak power rating (Wp)

Peak power rating of the solar panel in standardized sunlight conditions, provided by the manufacturer

700 - 3000 (depending on model)

Battery capacity (kWh; mAh)

Manufacturer-specified battery capacity

96.3 - 120.0 (depending on model)

Nominal battery voltage (V)

Manufacturer-specified battery voltage

220 V

Battery type

Type of battery used

Battery

User replaceable battery (yes/no)

Can the user easily replace the battery if needed?

Yes

Remote system diagnostics (yes/no)

Can this system be monitored remotely?

Payment structure

Type of user payment structure

Purchase unit directly from the manufacturer

Mobile service required (yes/no)

Does this system require mobile connectivity (either for payments or to function)?

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

The solar generators are available in eight models, as described below:

Model No.	System Voltage (V)	Average Energy Production (kWh/day)	Battery power (kWh)	Inverter Capacity (W)	PV Surface (m²)	AC Power Outlets (#)
SA-700-1p	12	0.66	0.34	700	1.0	1
SA-700-2p	24	2.12	1.3	1600	3.4	1
SA-700-3p	24	3.18	2.0	1600	5.1	1
SA-700-4p	24	4.26	2.5	2400	7.0	2
SA-700-6p	24	6.36	4.0	3000	10.2	2
SA-700-7p	48	8.48	5.0	4000	15.0	2
SA-700-8p	48	12.72	7.8	4000	22.0	2

Product schematics Design and assembly illustrations

Unavailable

Technical support Technical support provided by

Available from the manufacturer

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

Replacement components (such as the charge controller and inverter) are available from the manufacturer.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Lifecycle Disposal and warranty

20 years for the solar panel and 5 years for the battery.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Manufacturer specified performance targets Designer / Manufacturer specified targets

The manufacturer aims to produce renewable energy solutions for rural farmers in Ethiopia.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Vetted performance Findings of manufacturer evaluations or independent testing centers

This product has not been third-party tested.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Testing organizations Independent lab, academic research centers, etc.

None

Safety Potential hazards / risks related to operation of this product

Standard precautions when handling electronics.

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

Accessories such as lights and appliances.

Research & standards

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

None

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

Sahara Energy has two production licenses: (1) Ethiopian Ministry of Trade and Revenue & (2) Ethiopian Energy Authority.

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

In-house quality testing only – this product has not yet been third-party tested.^{Interview with manufacturer}

Other information

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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In context photographs (0)

In context files & documents (0)

Feedback from users, customers & distributors