Nepal is the birth place of Light Up The World. Since 2000 around
1000 homes, distributed between 20 villages in Nepal were lit
using for power generation a mix of solar photo-voltaic, pedal
generators and a pico-hydroelectric turbine. All of the homes
were lit to a practical level with each household using less
than two watts of electrical power. Feedback to date is extremely
positive and indicates successful operational implementation.
Most
of the
projects were
facilitated by
Alex Zahnd,
and Muni
Raj -
LUTW representatives
in
Nepal.
Alex
is
a
Swiss
national
who
has
lived
with
his
family
in
remote
North
West
Nepal
for
7-8
years
working
primarily
for
the
United
Missions
of
Nepal
-
a
Nepalese
NGO.
He
is
now
a
professor
at
Kathmandu
University.
Muni
Raj
and
his
daughter,
Innu,
own
and
operate
Pico
Power
Nepal
in
Kathmandu.
 Norung Lighting Project
LUTW has also partnered with Luxtreks (www.luxtreks.com),
an Albertan NGO helping rural areas which have poor or non-existent
lighting. In 2000 Luxtreks installed WLEDs in 45 homes in Norung,
a remote village in Nepal. The purpose of the project was to
meet the need identified by the villagers to provide an effective
lighting source into their homes, with a particular goal of promoting
education in the village.
Before the WLEDs installation light was provided
either by ghee lamps (these burn clarified butter which is an
important food source for the people) or by kerosene lamps that
add to the smoke and soot inside the houses and hence contribute
to the chronic lung and general health problems of the villagers.
The WLED lights powered by solar panels brought an efficient
and safe lighting to people of Norung.
Nepal Lighting Project 2000
Project Initiation Date: April 2000
Estimated Completion Date: August 2000
Homes Lit: 3 villages 149 homes (including
a Buddhist temple, school and kitchen)
LUTW Sponsored Lamping Project- Installed systems in the 3 villages
of Thulo Pokhara, Raje Danda and Thalpi in Nepal. LUTW has donated
all equipment and components of project.
 Humla Lighting Project 2003
Project Initiation Date: September 2003
Completion Date: December 2003
Homes Lit: 253
In 2003 Alex Zahnd, LUTW representative in Nepal and his team
with the support from LUTW and the EnerGreen Foundation installed
840 WLED lights in two Nepali villages, Chauganphaya and Kholsi.
In Chauganphaya around 350 people were provided with safe and
affordable lighting powered by central solar PV system. Kholsi,
a similar size village, was installed with the Pico PT1 hydro-power
plant. Local people have been actively involved in the project
by providing sweat equity on site.
Four people from both villages were trained to
look after and carry out the basic maintenance needs of the power
generation facilities and distribution system.
Chauganphaya
and Kholsi are in Humla, the remotest north-western part of Nepal
and among the three poorest districts in the country. The inhabitants
are mainly lower cast people with very little formal education.
Before the WLED lights were installed, people did not have electricity
and had to burn "jharro" (raisin soaked pine wood) for light
in the homes. Burning jharro produces thick and black smoke causing
enormous damage to the respiratory system, especially in children
and women.
With WLED lights installed villagers will
benefit from safer and cleaner homes, opportunities for education
and better environment.
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