In the Field

Goal: To conduct field research, demonstrations, and market research on off-grid LED systems.

Projects

Check out our map showing pilot projects and market research by diverse organizations throughout the world.

General Interest

  • Apple, J., R. Vicente, A. Yarberry, N. Lohse, E. Mills, A. Jacobson, and D. Poppendieck. 2010. "Characterization of particulate matter size distributions and indoor concentrations from kerosene and diesel lamps." Indoor Air, doi:10.1111/j.1600-0668.2010.00664.x [download]
  • Alstone, P. A. Jacobson, and E. Mills. 2010. "Illumination Sufficiency Survey Techniques: In-situ Measurements of Lighting System Performance and a User Preference Survey for Illuminance in an Off-Grid, African Setting ." Lumina Project Research Note #7 [download]

Applications for rural Clinics in Nigeria

  • Assisting project led by the Women's Emergency Communication and Reliable Electricity (WE CARE). The project promotes safe motherhood and reduces maternal mortality in developing regions by providing health workers with reliable lighting, blood bank refrigeration and mobile communication using solar electricity. LBNL is currently advising on field research design and helping to assess the quality of candidate LED lighting products.

Market trials with households and night vendors in Kenya's Rift Valley Province

  • Tracy, J., P. Alstone, A. Jacobson, and E. Mills. 2010. "Market Trial: Selling Off-Grid Lighting Products in Rural Kenya." Lumina Project Technical Report #6 [download]
  • Johnstone, P., A. Jacobson, E. Mills, and K Radecsky. 2009. "Observed Minimum Illuminance Threshold for Night Market Vendors in Kenya who use LED Lamps." Lumina Project Research Note #3. [PDF]
  • Radecsky, K., P. Johnstone, A. Jacobson, and E. Mills. 2008. "Solid-State Lighting on a Shoestring Budget: The Economics of Off-Grid Lighting for Small Businesses in Kenya." Lumina Project Technical Report #3. [PDF]
    • Photo Essay and user statements regarding impacts on prosperity [PDF]

Market research and planning for market test in Sauri, Kenya

(One of the Millennium Villages)

  • Mills, E. and A. Jacobson. 2007. "The Off-Grid Lighting Market in Western Kenya: LED Alternatives and Consumer Preferences in a Millennium Development Village." Lumina Project Technical Report #2. [PDF]

Assessment of flashlights (aka "torches") as harbingers of the best and worst of LED lighting

  • Tracy, J., A. Jacobson, and E. Mills. 2010."Use Patterns of LED Flashlights in Kenya and a One-Year Cost Analysis of Flashlight Ownership." Lumina Project Research Note #5. [PDF]
  • Tracy, J., A. Jacobson, and E. Mills. 2009. "Quality and Performance of LED Flashlights in Kenya: Common End User Preferences and Complaints." Lumina Project Research Note #4. [PDF]

Tibet, China

(Led by students from UC Berkeley under UNIDO program)

  • Jones, R., J. Du, Z. Gentry, I. Gur, and E. Mills. 2005. "Alternatives to Fuel-based Lighting in China." [PDF]

Kutch, India

(Led by students from UC Berkeley under UNIDO program)

  • Apte, J., A. Gopal, J. Mathieu, and S. Parthasarathy. 2007. "Improved Lighting for Indian Fishing Communities." [PDF]
  • Apte, J., M. Fuller, A. Gopal, and K. Lindgren. 2007. "Developing the Means for the Use of Modern Lighting: How can WLED technology bring high quality, affordable light to India's poor?" [PDF]
  • Apte, J., A. Gopal, J. Mathieu, and S. Parthasarathy. 2007. "Improved Lighting for Indian Fishing Communities." [PDF]

Notes on Confidentiality of Results

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