Project Sunlight
/Turnkey development of a low-cost renewable energy solution for off-grid rural Africa
A standalone solar system capable of meeting basic domestic energy needs for less than the cost of a goat ($25) whilst eliminating the reliance on costly, poluting and dangerous kerosene
Concept Definition and Generation
Marble worked closely with the client and their local NGO partner (a not-for-profit organisation specialising in innovative business models for low income economies) to ensure user requirements were rigourously and robustly defined. Ensuring development of concepts that really met the needs of target users.
Detailed Design & Engineering
Marble undertook the complete system design. Including, product design, hardware selection, electronic development, charging and control circuits, battery and PV cell selection and testing.
Build, Prototype, Test
For people in low income economies, $25 is a very significant investment. The system had to work reliably and efficiently and be robust enough to operate under challenging environmental conditions.
User Testing in Sub-Saharan Africa
Marble facilitated and attended multiple user research and field trials in rural Kenya. Manufacturing prototypes and pre-production samples, arranging shipment to Kenya and attending research to witness first-hand how users got on using the system. This provided invaluable insight and feedback on the concept, enabling rapid iteration and improvement of the design, e.g. moving from a flexible PV panel to more traditional, but more efficient and robust rigid PV panels.
DFM and Tooling Manufacture in Asia
As well as the detailed design and engineering of all injection moulded components. Marble identified and and managed toolmakers and moulders in the Far East. Enabling very rapid development timescales, at the best price whilst maintaining quality of product.Small-scale Production Run for Field Trials
To enable field trials in Kenya, Marble built 250 complete CE marked systems; Including spares, additional PV panels and lights to enable system expansion. Following completion of the build, Marble organised logistics and paperwork for shipment of the units to the field trial location in Kenya.
Packaging & Instruction Leaflet (IFU)
For initial field trials, Marble developed full colour primary packaging, secondary transport packaging and Information for Use (IFUs) - in both English & Swahili - for the complete unit as well as packaging and (IFUs) for spare lights, power packs and PV panels.
