International Initiatives Series: Saving Energy with LED Lighting in India

Alliance Associates are so busy promoting energy efficiency throughout the world that their energy-saving projects sometimes fly under the radar. In this new series, we feature Associates initiatives that you might not know about. From renovating corporate headquarters in the United States to harnessing wind power in India, these exciting endeavors will keep you up-to-date on what other industry leaders are doing — and maybe even inspire your organization.

Lighting Eats One-Third of Each Paycheck

In rural India, more than 500 million people live with no access to electricity. In these low-income areas, the average family spends between 10 percent and 30 percent of its monthly income on low-quality, fuel-based lighting, such as candles and kerosene lamps. In addition to being hazardous, this form of lighting is expensive and polluting.

How, then, could these Indian families find cheaper lighting, and minimize pollution at the same time? Through Schnedier Electric’s Bip Bop Sustainable Development Program, which makes In-Diva lighting available to rural Indian households.

What is In-Diva?

The In-Diva is a lamp composed of LEDs that, together with a solar home lighting system, has a lifetime of 50,000 hours and provides 8 to 15 hours of lighting from a single charge. Whereas an incandescent bulb uses 160 watts, In-Diva offers the same amount of light for only 4.5 watts, lessening environmental impact.

At an affordable $13, the basic In-Diva model is equipped with 45 LEDs powered by an external rechargeable battery. Consumers can either purchase their own battery or rent one. A higher-end version has 90 LEDs and is compatible with the electrical grid for about $110.

Though Bip Bop's In-Diva program alleviates financial and environmental concerns, the benefits of accessible, efficient lighting go beyond that. Thanks to In-Diva, fisherman can sell their supplies without the smell of kerosene lingering on their fish, while tailors and craftsmen can work later hours. Bip Bop also has fostered partnerships with local entrepreneurs to ensure sustainable development in regions where In-Diva is distributed. For example, local partners currently manage charging stations that they rent out to people who want to charge their batteries.

Growing success

Within one week of the program’s inception, one local partner had enrolled 30 customers for battery charging and had a waitlist of 50 more people.

Bip Bop’s goal is to sell 100,000 In-Diva units by the end of 2010.