Solar Home Systems (SHS) are off-grid energy solutions on household level. They use one or more solar panels (PV modules) to generate electricity for lightning and appliances such as radios or TVs.

SHS usually operate at 12 Volt direct current for low power DC appliances and include a charge controller (distributes power and protects the batteries and appliances from damage) and at least one battery (stores energy for use when the sun is not shining). SHS for larger appliances come with an inverter to change the current. Depending on individual energy needs there are both small systems that are just a stepping stone from Pico-Solar Lamps and bigger systems that require the installation by an engineer.

We feature some of the products available in Malawi here:

Available products in Malawi

D20 Lamps and lantern:

  • Solar panel
  •  2 hanging lamps with a wall switch each, 1 portable lantern, USB port and adaptors for charging, 6 metre cable
  • Up to 15 hours of light
  • Price est MWK80,000 (est $110)

Jua H1 Mini Home System:

  • 5 Watt solar panel
  • 2 hanging lamps, 1 battery pack with a built-in torch, phone charging equipment, 5 metres of cable for each lamp
  • 100 lumen each (2 lamps: 9 hours of light, 1 lamp: 18 hours of light)
  • 1 year replacement warranty

Sun King Home:

  • 6 Watt solar panel
  • 3 hanging lamps with a wall switch each, 2 USB ports
  • 24 hours of light after 1 days charge
  • Battery indicator
  • 2 year replacement warranty
  • Price est MWK63,000 (est $87)

Connect 600 Home System:

  • 6 Watt solar panel
  • 4 LED lamps, 2 USB ports, radio and fan options
  • Easy plug-and-play installation
  • 2 year replacement warranty
  • Price est MWK102,000 ($141)

ovSolar Multi-light System:

  • 8 Watt solar panel
  • 3 lamps with independent switches and 3 brightness settings (5 hours (high), 76 hours (low) of light), 2 USB ports
  • 2 year replacement warranty

Sundaya T-lite 2:

  • Solar Home Lightning System which can be expanded gradually
  • Solar Panel
  • Up to 4 bayonet lamps with 3 brightness settings (7hrs @180 lumen, 75hrs @15 lumen), connection hub (linking the lamps to the solar panel), and four cellphone adapters
  • Sold at Total fuel stations

Zuwa Kwacha 4:

  • 10 Watt solar panel
  • 3 AH battery
  • 4 bright LED lamps, radio, torch, cables and USB (optional: laptop charger at additional costs)
  • Certified by Lightning Africa
  • 2 year manufacturer’s warranty on the Panel and Energy Hub
  • Cash Price: MWK150,000
  • Pay as you go Price: MWK178,600; maximum payback period: 18 months

Zuwa Kwacha 6:

  • 10 Watt solar panel
  • 3 AH battery
  • 6 bright LED lamps, radio, torch, cables and USB
  • Certified by Lightning Africa
  • 2 year manufacturer’s warranty on the Panel and Energy Hub
  • Cash Price: MWK161,200
  • Pay as you go Price: MWK201,500; maximum payback period: 18 months

Macheza:

  • 55 Watt solar panel
  • 12 AH battery
  • 4 bright LED lamps, a 19 inch flat TV (full high definition) with USB port, 2 inbuilt decoders for Digital TV (Kiliye Kiliye) and Free To Air Satellite TV, cables and USB
  • Certified by Lightning Africa
  • 2 year manufacturer’s warranty on the Panel and Energy Hub
  • Cash Price: MWK449,800
  • Pay as you go Price: MWK562,200; maximum payback period: 21 months

Genus Solar Kit:

  • Inverter: different versions starting from 700VA
  • Battery: ranging from 100 to 200AH
  • Solar Panel ranging from 40 Watt to 320 Watt output
  • Price: Proton q plus 700 inverter plus 150AH battery – MWK260,000 (VAT and solar panel not included)