1.)  Where is power best allocated in off-grid communities? Lighting/cellphone charging/something else?

 

The biggest demand for electricity in rural villages in developing countries is indeed cell phones and lights.  You would see small solar businesses that sell cell phone charge time.  Many household have batteries (typically lead acid) to power their lights and cell phones.  Other uses for electricity I’ve seen in rural Uganda include a buzzer for a barbershop, a tv for a movie theatre in a hut, and radios (quite common).

 

2.)    Also, what sorts of materials are available in these countries? Are there many used/broken down cars or vehicles? Old bikes?

 

Most finished goods that you can buy in the United States could be purchased in the capital city of Uganda (Kampala).  You would need to go to the luxury shopping malls to find newly released products.  Many stores would carry models several years post release in the US.

BAP is located in Gulu district.  We are about a 6 hour bus ride from Kampala.  In Gulu luxury products are much more difficult to find. 

In Gulu you would have no problem finding steel bars in different sizes and shapes (angle, square, etc.) and wooden boards (mahogany and “soft” wood).   

In general you will find that most useful “old” parts are already effectively repurposed.  You would be able to purchase parts from broken down cars/motorbikes along with some bike parts.  There are many new bicycle part supply stores in Gulu town.

 

3.)      What sort of price-point should we work towards, if we actually hope to send these kits out? Is there some ratio of cost to benefit that we would need to justify?

 

It really depends.  If an individual person would be purchasing it you should probably keep the cost below 30 dollars.

If your kit is designed to be owned by a community based organization or a small business the price point could be much higher. 

In general there needs to be a value case for your product with a payback period that should be less than a year. 

 

4.)    We thought that our devices would be best utilized if they were created for communal use. Do you agree with this?

 

Yes, I mostly agree.  It depends are what technology you have / are planning on implanting though.

 

5.)   What types of bikes are most common in the countries in which you work, single speed or multiple gears?

 

Vast majority are single speed bikes with “hybrid” style wheels.  Relatively thin tires with pretty thick treads.  Brakes are all rubber pad friction.  You can find mountain bikes with multiple gears (these seem to be more prevalent over the last couple of years).  The brands include Hero and Roadmaster. Many of the bikes are made in India. 

 

6.         Do you think there is a need for a low-powered inexpensive generator adaptable to existing bikes?

 

Yes