Dar Al Ber providing mobile solar power stations to areas facing shortage

Dubai — While around 1.5 billion people on this planet have very limited or no access to electricity, the Dar Al Ber Society (Dabs) run by the Dubai government, is providing deprived areas with mobile solar power stations.

Omran Mohammad Abdulla, Charitable Project Chief – Dabs, told Khaleej Times that many of the charity projects carried out worldwide, spanning mosques, Quran study centres, orphanages, schools, classrooms, hospitals, health clinics, and water wells need electricity. “The society started providing mobile solar power stations of different capacities — from 600 to 1,000 watts — to areas lacking power supply.”

As a start, a poor village in Guinea, with no electricity, has been provided with two solar power stations, worth $6,000 or over Dh22,000, he added. “The power supplied is enough to light one full bureau and power all electric devices there.”

The bureau has been assigned by the Dar Al Ber Society to run all the charity projects needed, such as building mosques, medical centres and schools, digging water wells and sponsoring orphans, he elaborated.

Four mobile solar power stations worth $12,000 have been shipped to two other countries, said Abdulla. “Two of these were gifted to an Islamic radio station in Togo, and two for powering a hospital and an Islamic Centre in Somalia.”

Maciej Gozdzik, sales director at the Poland-based Aidpol Company which supplies the mobile solar power stations, told Khaleej Times that these devices are easy to carry and convenient to operate. “They weigh only 12kg and can supply power through full double solar panels. It can also be folded and carried as a suitcase.”

Once the solar panels are connected to the rechargeable built-in batteries, devices of 600 to 1,000 watt can be connected to it, he explained. “However, more panels and batteries can be added to the mobile solar power station as required.”

Gozdzik said though there is a charge controller fitted in each of these stations, the approximate lifetime of the built-in batteries is around three years. “Each of these batteries can be recharged 600 times, but how they are used also affects their durability. Hence it’s better to recharge them when it goes below 30 per cent.”

James Fraser, product development manager with Flexiway solar solution company, Australia, said they provide a range of innovative solar products to brighten up the life of those who live in refugee camps and disaster zones, and in under-developed areas.

“Our affordable $10-28, individual fit-for-purpose solar products, including solar powered light, charger, radio, and head torch are designed to improve connectivity, enhance safety and reduce crime and gender-based violence in various settings.”

These solar lights also empower people and enable individuals to carry out household tasks, study or work after dark, he added. “We believe that the power of cost-effective solar lighting can provide a solution for the entire family, community or health centre.”

Explaining, he said the 12-led solar light is pocket-sized and shockproof with a life-span of three years or 1,000 charge cycles. “The solar mobile phone charger equipped with integrated solar panel and battery unit, is smarter, stronger and designed with 10 USB adaptors that charge the most common brands.”

The smart hands-free solar headlight, which provides a powerful beam, can also be used as hand torch, suspended from the ceiling, or tilted to shine in the right direction, he said. “The smart handy solar-powered fit-for-purpose radio comes with a built-in solar panel with features of analog AM/FM tuner with digital LCD screen that turns off after 30 seconds to save power.”

ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com