Wednesday, October 21, 2009

D.LIGHT LAUNCHES WORLD’S MOST AFFORDABLE QUALITY SOLAR LANTERN

“Kerosene-Killing” Solar Product Retails at USD10 in Off-Grid Markets Around the World

New Delhi, India, 21 October 2009 – D.light Design today announced the launch of the Kiran, their most innovative and low-cost solar lighting solution to date, designed especially for households without access to electricity. Dubbed the “kerosene killer,” the Kiran retails at USD10, making it the most affordable quality solar lantern in the world.

“D.light continues to be at the forefront of providing innovative and affordable technology solutions for off-grid families around the world,” said D.light CEO Sam Goldman. “We believe the exceptional quality of the Kiran lantern, delivered at a low and affordable price, will make it a serious competitor to kerosene and other fuel-based lighting in every rural market.”

The Kiran is five times brighter than a kerosene lantern and can be fully charged in a day under the sun. It provides bright, 360-degree illumination for working, studying, or traveling. There are two light settings, which offer up to 8 hours of light on a full charge. With an integrated solar panel and a multiple-setting handle, the lantern is extremely flexible and easy to use. For households with access to grid electricity, the Kiran can also be AC-charged with a standard Nokia phone adapter.

“D.light’s latest innovation, the Kiran, is based on hundreds of hours of market research,” said D.light’s Head of Product Design Robin Chilton. “We know what our customers want: An attractive, durable product that provides enough hours of bright light every day at a price point they can afford. This is the solution that will effectively replace the kerosene lantern.”

Recent market tests establish the Kiran as a viable and desirable alternative to kerosene. Customer feedback consistently praised the product’s ease of use, durability, and bright light. According to Niwrtti Jawane, a welder from Miraj Village in India: “The Kiran has benefitted us in several ways: It is portable, has good brightness, and prevents the harmful effects of kerosene fumes. This purchase has been a good one-time investment. As there are no costs for recharging, it will be economical over time. We are happy with our purchase as it is a definite improvement over the emergency lights, kerosene lamps and candles previously used.”
The Kiran is currently available for purchase by end-user customers through D.light dealers and distributors in India and internationally. Distributors may also contact D.light’s Sales offices to place orders.

Additional D.light products available for sale are the Nova Series, premium solar lanterns with features including mobile phone charging capabilities, and the Solata, a high-quality solar task lamp.

Manoj Gupta

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

CleanTech news this week

WaterHealth CEO calls for cleantech to meet India's water needs
October 16, 2009 - News brief - India may have to consider developing long supply chains and incentivizing farmers to shift water-intensive grain production activities offshore, Sanjay Bhatnagar says.


Resource scarcity center stage at Cleantech Forum India

October 15, 2009 - News brief - Investment in India is on the rise, driven by its growing economy and dwindling resources, cleantech leaders heard in Delhi today.

Suzlon spends $100M to fix cracked-blade problem
October 12, 2009 - by Emma Ritch - Indian wind turbine supplier announces stringent new testing protocol as it dedicates Arizona's first commercial scale wind farm.

Report: Is CCS an option for India?
October 12, 2009 - News brief - The country’s coal-powered ultra mega power plants could be retrofitted with carbon capture and sequestration tech to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, study suggests.

Plug Power, 3M team on fuel cell tech in India
October 9, 2009 - News brief - Teleservices division of the Tata Group is expected to receive 200 units to provide power at cell towers with no or extremely unreliable electric grid service.

Inside cleantech India: Kal, Aaj aur Kal!
October 7, 2009 - by Razvan Maximiuc - IndiaCo Ventures launches a $500M fund, Grasim invests $210M in a new VSF plant in Gujarat, and TVS forays into cleantech.

New Delhi recycles its roads
October 5, 2009 - News brief - A unit of the Tata Group starts work on project that uses one-third the aggregate and bitumen as typical paving.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

CleanTech News this week

Clean technology venture investment continued recovering in 3Q09 spurred by economic stimulus investment
Landmark IPO and new funds also signal broadening confidence in clean technology, now the leading venture investment category

PepsiCo India turns to biogas to cut costs, carbon emissions
September 29, 2009 - Best of the web - Beverage and snack food giant says new biogas plant, which uses biodegradable waste generated at the Pune-based site, is running at full capacity. Full Story »

GE brings back wind business in India with better subsidies
September 29, 2009 - Best of the web - Connecticut-based power generation equipment maker looks to decrease its dependence on the U.S. market as it revives its Indian wind turbine business. Full Story »

Inside cleantech India: Kal, Aaj aur Kal! [premium]
September 29, 2009 - by Razvan Maximiuc - Argonaut and NEA make Indian cleantech investments, while Suzlon sells another family stake, and PepsiCo embraces biogas.

3Q09 cleantech investment review [webinar/premium]
Cleantech venture investment continued recovering in the third quarter of 2009 spurred by global economic stimulus investment. The sector accumulated $1.59 billion across 134 companies. Join the Cleantech Group & Deloitte Tuesday, October 6th, for an analysis.

NY Times: The New Sputnik By THOMAS L. FRIEDMAN : "Red China decided to become Green China" – (I personally think this article is just worth a reading from everybody..)
“If they invest in 21st-century technologies and we invest in 20th-century technologies, they’ll win,” says David Sandalow, the assistant secretar...y of energy for policy. “If we both invest in 21st-century technologies, challenging each other, we all win.” Something has changed. China realized it has no capacity to absorb all this waste. We have to grow without pollution.”

Manoj Gupta