Give Pedal-Generated Light to Millions of Nepalis Photo Gallery

Village child carries home the first UserBox

Most rural people have no hope to be connected to a 'grid' wire. It's too expensive. They live too far away. EcoSystems uses a handy 2 pound rechargeable battery to shuttle power to these homes. The battery provides weeks of LED light -- 300 hours of a pair of LEDs -- 30 hours with 10 LED pairs.

Schoolgirl with 2-LED lamp ~ studying

A single LED pair gives this girl enough light for reading and homework. In the evening many families have only hearth light while they are cooking, or perhaps a kerosene wick in a bottle. The LED lamp is bright, cool, and safe--no fire danger, no fumes, no need to purchase kerosene, or consume more fuel from the forest or field.

A pool of light from one LED pair.

LEDs are 'task' lights. They light up a narrow arc as shown here. Most families also want 'area' light. Multiple LEDs can be combined to achieve that effect. Many families quickly stretch wires from the UserBox to other rooms, bringing light throughout their homes.

The PedalGenerator arrives in a village

Where there is no other option for power, people can make their own. 50-70 watts is enough to run an A/V center in a school, bringing light and education. Pedaled for 8 hours per day, it can light a hundred homes or more, depending on the energy used in each home. Where power is unreliable, the PedalGenerator can be a backup. A PedalGenerator and the PowerCentre are the core of a small business ~ a Village Light and Power Company.

Nepali woman generates power

Frequently we are asked whether women will be inhibited from pedaling. Our experience is that those who are dressed as this woman have no concern. They participate readily. The seat can be adjusted to fit nearly any person, tall or short. At one cycle per second, the generator supplies about 60 watts to the PowerCentre's 12 volt battery.

Woman and child take their UserBox home

Fourteen Nepali villages were equipped with a PedalGenerator, PowerCentre and fifteen to twentyfive UserBoxes in the spring and summer of 2007. The villagers kept records which are now being used to make the systems more robust. Light is liberating.

Shrijana Rayamajhi demonstrates the UserBox

Family members in each of the 14 participating villages attended a training class. For many of them this is the first electrical device in their homes. The first application is for home lighting. Most homes started with two LED pairs, but the battery can run as many as 20 pairs easily.

Training session for village women operators

Women's groups often are formed to help the members become literate. A common second task is that they form a savings group. The dilemma is to find something useful in which to invest. Several of the participating village groups are such women's organizations, enabling them to become the Village Power company.

Training for the home lighting systems

In a village environment where mechanical devices are limited to simple, utilitarian tools such as the plow and sickle, the appearance of a machine that makes electricity is a leap for everyone--the trainer as well as the eager recipients. Fourteen villages offered to be partners in the first round. Their early version equipment will now be upgraded.

Engineer meets village woman in gift of light

Mark Jeunnette, a design engineer on leave from IDEO, is helping to create the next version of the power system. Here he is presenting the home lighting system to one of EcoSystems' village partners.