With the beginning of New Year 2012, hopes for the rural people to get a better lighting solution during evening hours are very low. The main reason is due to increase in demand for electricity in urban areas, limited construction and development of hydro power projects, remoteness for the extension of electricity cables. The one and only option to get the light during evening hours for the rural people is through solar lighting system. Hence, the popularity of solar tuki and solar lighting system in rural areas are in increasing trend.

On December 2011, a field visit to Dolkha District was made to explore the possibilities for the promotion of solar tuki. Dolkha District lies in the eastern region of Nepal and is one of the district with settlements in the hilly region. Discussions with the officials of District Development Committee and local organization representatives, to identify the need and the areas for promotion of solar tuki were made. A request for the promotion of solar tuki in Khopacha Village had also been received. As the community are not in the state to pay the upfront cost of solar tuki, installation of a community charging center is in progress.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to the team of GlobalGiving for your continuous support and all our donors for your continuous support in our initiation towards eradicating kerosene lamp from rural areas of Nepal and promoting safe and clean lighting option to rural household. We would also like to request you to send us your feedback, comments and suggestion regarding our program at ecca@mos.com.np, so that we could implement our programs more effectively.

With the increasing popularity of solar tuki in the rural areas, the demand of solar tuki sets are in raise. As per the demand and need of solar tuki in the rural areas, a community charging center model was developed to provide the benefit for the community who are not in the state of purchasing solar tuki set. In this system, various numbers of solar tuki are charged at once through using a bigger solar panel, thus reducing the cost of individual solar panel for an individual household.

At Kantipur Village (a remote village settlement of chitwan), the households were not in the state of purchasing individual solar tuki sets, hence, a community charging center was established at the end of March 2010. 48 households were benefited through the distribution of 60 pcs of solar tuki and establishment of the center.

Most of the housewife of the village seems very happy after the establishment and use of solar tuki. The main reasons behind their happiness are saving of money, saving of time to purchase kerosene, health benefit and brighter light of solar tuki. As per Mrs. Januka Sunar, she had saved Nrs 350/- per month to be spent for kerosene, brighter and better light than kerosene lamp, easy use during preparation of evening meals and one and half hour of time and energy saving for purchasing kerosene which she has now been using for income generation through poultry farming. In general, all households of the village using solar tuki are being benefited through various ways.

Mr. Subash Sunar (16 yrs) studying at grade 10 and Mr. Dinesh Gayak (14 Yrs) studying at grade 8 of Jana Jeevan Ma Vi, Kharkatta, Chitwan has been using solar tuki since April 2010. Prior to the use of solar tuki, they had been using kerosene tuki as the only source of light during evening hours. They used kerosene tuki in the evening hours mainly for their study purpose. The students were irritated with the particulate matters and black soot particulates emitted by the kerosene tuki, which had created various health problems like eye irritation, cough problems, etc.

When solar tuki was introduced in the village to replace the kerosene lamp, the students were excited to use it. According to the students, bright light compared to kerosene tuki, smokeless, no fear for fire hazard and benefit for using continuously light are the main encouragement and attraction towards the use of solar tuki. The students had increased their study hours in the evening by 2 hrs after solar tuki were introduced in the village. The shopping time of one and half hour to purchase kerosene for lighting their house for the evening hrs has been utilized in other activities.

Students with Solar Tuki for Education

House-wife benefited from Solar Tuki

Kaleshwor village, known as one of the remote village of Lalitpur district lies at the southern hilly terrains of the district. Although the village is at a distance of 48km from the nearest city point – Chhapagaau, It takes around 8 hrs of local bus ride and 2hrs of uphill walk to reach the village. Due to hilly terrain of the village, the accessibility of each household in the national electricity grid is very low. Hence, the people of Kaleshwor are compelled to use kerosene lamp during evening hours to fulfil their need of light.

Mr. Amrit Gautam, Teacher of Shree Bhag Bhairab Higher Secondary School, came to know about solar tuki when he visited ECCA. He purchased a set of solar tuki for his personal use in his home. The use of solar tuki by Mr. Gautam and his family has been circulated in the village as well as the efficiency, performance and the use of the solar tuki has been demonstrated to the villagers. This created a demand of solar tuki in the village. As there were facility of microfinance for the promotion of solar tuki, the chairman of Jana Jagaran Saving and Credit Cooperative (a local saving and credit group operated by the local villagers) Mr. Giri Prashad Timilsina, visited ECCA office for the promotion of solar tuki in Kaleshwor village.

Thereafter, making an agreement with the cooperative to act as a local agent for the promotion of solar tuki, ECCA had facilitated the use of solar tuki in almost all the household. The use of solar tuki has started in reduction of use in kerosene in the village and declared as kerosene free village in the mid 2009. The local shop owner Mr. Bal Ram Bajara, initiated the solar tuki repair and maintenance centre as his business of selling kerosene went down due to low demand of kerosene. He says – “When I saw Solar Tuki at first in the village, I feared of disrupting my business of sales of kerosene, through which was sustaining my family. I was sure that my sales of kerosene will go down with the increasing use of solar tuki in the village. In no time, my sales of kerosene went down. At the same time, Mr. Giri Prashad Timilsina (Chairman of Cooperative) suggested me to open up the Repair & Maintenance centre in my shop to sustain my business and sent me to the training being organized by ECCA. This has provided me a great relief towards my sustainability of business. Now, the sales of kerosene in the village are very low. People prefer to purchase solar tuki for light rather than kerosene.”

Ramesh Gautam (Student of Grade 11), has been using solar tuki when he was studying in grade 7. He shares his experience of using solar tuki as – “Previously, when I used kerosene lamp for lighting, I felt very uncomfortable during my study in the evening hours. I still remember, that my eyes were irritated and I also got eye infection during my terminal exam time which ruined my exam. I was compelled to breath in the air where smokes from the kerosene tuki were emitted. Hence, I used to avoid study during evening hours. We could not afford for the installation of solar home system as our families economic condition were not very good. I felt very much relieved when my father got a set of solar tuki in my home. The problems that I faced with the use of kerosene tuki were gone. I do not need to breathe in the air of smoke released from kerosene lamp. The light emitted from the solar tuki was very bright compared to kerosene lamp and it does not release smoke. Hence, I got to spend some more time in my study during evening hours. I also could do well in my exams with the help of solar tuki.”

Student using solar tuki for his study

Charging Solar Tuki by local teacher

Seasonal Greetings to all from Environmental Camps for Conservation Awareness (ECCA), Nepal.

I would like to initiate this report with an acknowledgment to all our donors, supporters and well-wishers of our program – “A Clean Solar Alternative To Kerosene Lamps”.

In this quarter, we have continued our work in the sector of research and development sector for the production of new lights and designs, which will provide brighter and better lights. At the same time, we also focused in the promotion of solar tuki and the solar lights in the rural areas to reduce the use of kerosene lamp through cooperation with different local organization as per demand and request. Currently, promotion of solar lights in Kavre District through mobilizing local youths and their cooperatives are ongoing activities.

We would like to express our sincere thanks to all donors for your continuous support in our initiation of eradicating kerosene lamp from the rural regions of Nepal.  We would also like to request you to send us your feedback, comments and suggestion regarding our project at ecca@mos.com.np so that we could implement our programs more effectively.

Regards.

With the increasing demand of more light and the emphasis made on research and development works towards developing locally and easily assembled LED lights, 1 Watt and 2 Watt LED Lights were produced. These lights currently are in the production phase at the local level by youth group. By the end of January 2011, the lights had been packaged in different system of 5 Watt and 10 Watt Solar System and are now in the promotion phase. Photographs of the systems are attached for the reference.

With the reference of the successful implementation of Solar Tuki Mass charging unit installed in the school of kaleshwor VDC of Lalitpur District and Kantipur Village of Chitwan District, request from the communities and schools from far western regions of Nepal had been received. But, due to lack of enough support, the speed for the installation of mass charging center at different places could not be increases as per the receipt of the requests. Coordination with other organization for the installation of community charging at the needy area is under progress at the local level.

We would like to express our appreciation towards all the donors and GlobalGiving team who had contributed in this project. We would also like to request all our donors and our well wishers to convey the information of our project in your circle for supporting the program. We seek your continuous support and encouragement for the promotion and anticipate cooperation’s in future as well.

5 Watt Solar System with 1 Watt LED Light

10 Watt Solar System with 1 W and 2 W LED Lights

The following activities had been achieved till the end of October 2010:

• Discussion and meetings with Executive Committee members were done during this period. The discussions were mainly focused for the development of new strategy for the promotion of solar tuki in new locations.

• Emphasis on research & development to increase the efficiency of solar tuki as well as development of new products was also initiated during this period as per the suggestions from the local people and community. During this period, new products with brighter light efficiency were also developed and 2 youth were trained and engaged in the development of the product.

We would like to express our gratitude towards all the donor community and the GlobalGiving team for your continuous supports and encouragement for the promotion of this program. We anticipate for the same kind of support in future as well.

Locally Assembled 2 Watt LED Light

The following activities had been achieved till the end of July 2010:

• Establishment & Support for Community Charging Center, Chitwan: A Community Charging center has been established at the kantipur village of Chitwan District. Near about 50 household without connection of national grid electricity are benefited through the establishment of the center. Two persons from the village were trained as well as equipped with the necessary equipments for operating the community charging center in the village. The graph of Gross Happiness Index of the village people seems to be in increasing trend.

• Technical Training for Youths On the job trainings were provided for 5 youths of different areas of Nepal. After skilled with the assembling of solar tuki, they were also equipped through a set of tools to provide repair and maintenance service in their village respectively.

• Coordination with Government Authorities and different NGO’s: One week Solar Light Assembling Training has been organized for women representatives from different women’s group. The training was coordinated with Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City Office. The main objectives of the training were to develop skilled workers to manufacture solar tuki and solar lights for the promotion in urban areas as well as in rural areas. Similarly, 3 days technical training for different women groups of Butwal in coordination with WATCH had been organized. The youth trainee from ECCA had provided the training for the womens from different local groups. For the promotion of solar tuki in high hills, coordination with LACCOS (NGO formed by the active local youths) has been ongoing.

Thanks to all the donors who has been contributing for the promotion and successful implementation of our programs. Thanks for all your effort in enabling us to reach in the rural areas where there is a real need of support to change in their livelihoods.

Assembling Training for Womens

Students using solar tuki for their study

Use of Solar tuki during preparing evening meal

Smile created by Solar Tuki in Womens

• Report-CC Center estd in Kaleshwor VDC (PDF)
  

Bill Brower is a Field Program Officer with GlobalGiving who is visiting our partners’ projects throughout South and Southeast Asia. On April 28-29 he visited the village of Kantipur in southern Nepal, which received solar lamps three months ago. His “Postcard” from the visit:

It can be difficult when I visit projects, particularly those which seek to achieve less tangible goals like women’s empowerment or a greater environmental ethic in children, to see definitive signs of success. It was therefore a pleasure to stay the night in Kantipur and see how many people were using ECCA’s solar tuki (Nepali for “lamp”) simply by walking up the street (unannounced). The result was promising: Though I only had time to see a fraction of the 60 homes who received a solar tuki, each of the homes I visited was using theirs:

An old man used his while preparing dinner. A woman, taking advantage of its portability, used it while she rinsed off in a stream. Another woman and a family of three a few houses down from her ate Nepal’s traditional dal baht by its light. An old woman added to the light from her traditional stove as she cooked (see picture). And two boys poured studiously over their books (see picture). All of the people I asked said they hadn’t bought kerosene since receiving the lamp (a savings of about three days’ wage per month). You can judge for yourself (see picture), but I think the solar tuki gives more, better quality light. It also undoubtedly gives off fewer fumes and is less of a fire hazard.

It sounds as if ECCA is taking steps to make solar tukis sustainable on a local level. They’ve chosen a simple design, which uses locally available materials (other than the solar panel). They train people in the community to maintain them. They try to ensure ownership by charging a nominal fee for the devices—sometimes facilitated by a local microfinance institution. The main feedback they’ve gotten from users is that they’d like them to provide even more light so they’re designing bigger models.

In a country where large sections are still not electrified, it is a win anytime renewables beat out dirty, loud diesel generators—particularly when the organization behind them is as capable and committed to sustainable development as ECCA.

Cooking food by solar light

Lighting the way to a career as a doctor

Following Activities have taken place in past 3 months: • Research and Development : Further development of • Coordination with Women Acting Together for Change (WATCH) for promotion of solar tuki in its project areas. i.e. Nawalparashi and Rupandehi District were made. • Orientation program regarding the ways for the promotion of solar tuki and its benefits were made for the staffs, different women groups and youths groups (groups working with WATCH) of Rupandehi and Nawalparashi District were made. • Agreement and promotion of 100 sets of solar tuki with Clean Energy Nepal (CEN) were made for the promotion of solar tuki in Bajhang District. • 2 local person of Bhamchaur VDC and Banjh VDC of Bajhang District were trained for assembling Solar Tuki and microfinance system for the promotion of solar tuki. Additionally, the technical and hardware supports required for the establishment of repair & maintenance centre in the VDC were also done for the persons.

We would like to thank all the donor community and the Globalgiving team for your continuous support and encouragement for the promotion of program. We anticipate for the same kind of support in future as well.

Links:

• Photos of Solar Tuki Project in Web
• Solar tuki movie in Youtube

Following activities have taken place in the past 3 months:

 Two representatives from ERM Foundation (from UK and India) visited Nepal to review and to support in the preparation of detailed promotional strategy for solar tuki  Identification of possible microfinance organizations for the promotion of solar tuki in different regions of Nepal  Coordination with Single Women Entrepreneurs Group for the promotion of solar tuki through single women in different regions of Nepal  Completed Solar Tuki Assembling Training in coordination with Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City for the representatives of various women groups  Import of Solar Panel and various components of solar tuki  Establishment of warehouse and started the distribution of solar tuki assembling components  Research and Development: Further development of package for charging GSM and CDMA mobile sets

Thanks to the donor community of the Global Giving (and others as well), we are able to reach more no. of rural poor (who do not have the financial capacity to make down payment) through the credit and installment payback scheme (by using the revolving fund).

We would be pleased to receive your feedback and guidance, so as to better reach the rural people.

Links:

• Photos on solar tuki promotion activities
• ECCA webpage on solar tuki

In the past six months, progress has been done in different aspects.

DISTRIBUTION

The outreach to the rural community has increased. More no. of rural community groups / cooperatives (from east, central and west Nepal) has been linked. In the past six months, 500 no. of solar tuki lamps were sold and new linkage developed with 5 cooperatives.

CENTRAL WAREHOUSE

To further promote the solar tuki as an enterprise and to support the local level entrepreneurs, the concept of central warehouse has been developed. The idea is to import quality components from abroad (India, China) and to provide it to the local level entrepreneurs to fabricate the solar tuki. The warehouse will help in maintaining the quality of the solar tuki lamps and the end user will be benefited. At present, in the local Nepalese market, good quality components are not found and there is always the fear of local businessmen cheating the rural uneducated people.

With this purpose, separate contacts were developed with the Li-ion battery manufacturer and solar panel manufacturer in China. There samples were obtained, tested and the orders finalized. Accordingly, 2,000 pcs. of Li-ion battery has been delivered and the solar panel is being delivered next month. Quality brands of other components (from India) have also been identified.

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Based upon the feedback from the end users, new types of fixtures have been developed.

RECOGNITION / AWARD ECCA was invited to present its experience in the Global Business Conference for Modern Lighting in the Lighting Africa 2008 event, Ghana organized by World Bank and the International Finance Corporation in May 6-8, 2008.

ECCA solar tuki program video was awarded in the Global Development Marketplace Amateur Video Contest 2008 organized by the World Bank, Washington DC, USA

SCALING

Team Leader Prachet K. Shrestha participated in the Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI) program (Aug 2008) conducted by the Santa Clara University, San Jose, California, USA. During the course, Business plan was developed for further scaling of the solar tuki in Nepal; which was updated after returning to Nepal.

Thanks to the donor community of the Global Giving (and others as well), we are able to reach more no. of rural poor (who do not have the financial capacity to make down payment) through the credit and installment payback scheme (by using the revolving fund).

• ECCA-Solar Tuki-Update-Jan 2009.doc (DOC)

Following activities have taken place in the past 2 months: • Coordination with Mr. Rainer Mutschler for the promotion of Solar Tuki in El-Salvador o One set of Solar Tuki sent (as sample) via post o Couriered the hardcopies and emailed the softcopies of Solar Tuki Technical Manual and Brochures • Coordination with local NGO “UNISON” for establishing Warehouse in Kavre District • Arranging meetings for the promotion of Solar tuki in the Trekking Region – Langtang National Park • Coordination with cooperatives of Sindhuli District • Coordination with cooperative and school of Dailekh District • Coordination for the establishment of community charging centre in schools of Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan City • Coordination with Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan City for providing training to local women groups of Lalitpur Sub Metropolitan City to promote local entrepreneurs. • Published "Light for All" Campaign in Catalytic Community Website o • Meeting and coordination with Ms. Corey for the publication of Solar Tuki endeavor in her Book “Social Entrepreneurs and Innovators”.

• ECCA-Solar Tuki-summary report-July 08.doc (DOC)

• ECCASolar_Tukisummary_reportJan_08.pdf (PDF)
  

We would like to share a video with you about the solar tuki and its use in Nepal.

Links:

• Video about the Solar Tuki

TRAININGS CONDUCTED • Motivator training to the field staffs of INGOs / NGOs and various projects • Training camp for the youths focused on preparing the youths as promoters of alternative and renewable energy • Training camp for the children and formation of children club - which conduct small scale follow-up activities and community orientation program in their local community • Orientation on clean technology to the community, workers and staff of companies, Cooperatives, Forest Users’ Group, etc. • Repair and maintenance training: for the people from the area where solar tuki are being promoted

DISTRIBUTION • The no. of solar tuki sets distributed has exceeded the original target of 800 sets. Total 1,218 sets of Solar Tuki along with 41 single lamp units were distributed through the Global Development Marketplace during the period (July 2005 – March 2007). • Additional 4,000 sets have been distributed through micro-financing scheme supported by World Bank Nepal Development Marketplace, Global Environment Facility, WWF Nepal Program, and private Nepalese companies and directly on cash.

SOCIAL IMPACT STUDY Based upon the field visits, the baseline information collected before the distribution of Solar Tuki, the post Tuki survey report and the feedback received from the village level partner organizations (through whom solar tukis are being promoted), Impact study report has been prepared. Some of the major points are: • Light: 13,000 rooms have clean, white and smokeless light • Radio: able to listen for a longer time and to a variety of programs without having to worry the increase in cost • Poverty eradication and a new economy: resource (sun) is made into an economic value, creating employment • Education: allows children to study longer, children listen to radio (are informed about current information) and stay competitive with the rest of the students. Children can now stay inside the mosquito net and study • Policy direction/Donor education: zero subsidy model, rather than providing subsidy - focus is to be made on supporting through start-up capital, quality control, central warehouse, access to credit market • Long-term infrastructure: the infrastructure created can also be used to role out new products and services. New campaign – “Solar Tuki Plus” includes mobile phone and CDMA phone (which has spread to rural areas where there is no electricity) charger, 12volt black & white TV, fan for improved cook-stove. • Environment (no fumes emission, no indoor pollution) • Better health (less amount spent in medicine, soap) • Foreign currency saving • Energy security • Reduced fire hazards

NEW APPROACH TAKEN • Instead of developing new Users’ group / Saving and Credit Group and training them, linkage was established with the existing groups. These groups had been developed by various other projects (Government of Nepal/UNDP program, WWF, Winrock International, etc.). • Repair and maintenance training has now been incorporated in the regular work plan of the manufacturer. The manufacturers have now been convinced to bear this cost as well – which will support in the long-term sustainability of the solar tuki program. Through this approach, the technical skill has been transferred to the local level Solar Tuki service centre without additional cost to the consumer. The local transportation cost is borne by the user’s group/trainee and the cost of food and accommodation during the training period is borne by the manufacturer. Also, now, no separate fund needs to be searched for the repair and maintenance trainings.

THE FUTURE: MOVING ONE STEP AHEAD • Focus on community charging model of solar tuki (deviation from the present house-to-house charging model)

From the experience and the feedback received from the community, we have learned that more no. of poorest of the poor people could be reached though the community charging model. In this model, one large size solar panel (say 50 Watt or 65 Watt) along with charger having many (say, 20 or 30 or 40) outlets (where lamp units brought by villagers will be connected) will be placed in a community building (say, school, ward office, etc.). People will bring their solar tuki lamp to charge there. This way, people will have to buy only the solar tuki lamp (which costs only $11 per piece) - which means, it would not be necessary for each consumer to buy the costlier solar panel ($28) (which means, poor people will have to invest less money). Thus, more no. of poor people could be reached.

Extra value addition will be the use of the solar panel in charging the local battery system so as to light the community building itself (where adult literacy class, income generation activities, etc. could be conducted during the evening hours).

In the present house-to-house charging model, each house owns 2.5 Watt solar panel to charge 2 lamp units. Cost of panel is high. They have to pay US$50 for one panel and 2 lamp units.

• New campaign of “Solar Tuki Plus”

As people have become familiar and used-to with the new technology of Solar Tuki, they are now demanding additional features. The recent introduction of mobile phone and CDMA phone and its network expansion by the Nepalese telecom companies have also influenced the demand (of solar powered phone chargers) by the rural communities (since most part of the country lacks electricity supply). “Solar Tuki Plus” package includes mobile phone and CDMA phone (which has spread to rural areas where there is no electricity) charger, 12volt black & white TV, fan for improved cook-stove.

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES • Long-term strategy has been developed considering the production aspect, distribution aspect and social mobilization • Understandings have been developed with different institutions (e.g. development banks, others INGOs, local savings and credit groups) for promoting as well as investing in the solar tuki • Manufacturing and distribution of the solar tuki is being developed as a self-sustaining business, for which, training for the entrepreneurs (who want to start manufacturing) has been given, concept of central warehouse has been developed • The participation of the private sector has opened the door of unlimited opportunity in scaling and sustainability. Based upon this agreement, possibility has been enhanced in including the private sector in this LIGHT FOR ALL campaign. • WWF Nepal Program has also contributed financially in the revolving fund managed by the local community group in Bardiya (Far Western Nepal) through their on-going program. The possibility of solar tuki promotion through Forest User Group Coordination Committee and using the income to support the health post was discussed. The fund from micro-financing institutes and Saving Credit Group formed by Winrock International will also be used along with support from GDM Revolving Fund • 47 sets solar tukis and 54 pcs of lamp units and 2 larger sets for adult literacy classes were promoted through Community Learning Centers (located in Dadeldhura in far west Nepal) established by UNESCO Nepal • Solar Tuki Sharing Workshop for Members of Parliament To share the knowledge and experience gained during the solar tuki promotion in the past two years, sharing workshop was organized in Kathmandu for the Members of House of Representatives on August 9, 2006. The program was attended by 23 persons including 7 Members of Parliament (MP) from the 9 districts targeted by the Government of Nepal for the “Karnali Illuminated Program” (where 60,000 solar tuki are planned to be promoted from the national budget of fiscal year 2006/07).

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS REGARDING REPLICATION AND SCALABILITY • Government of Nepal has recognized Solar Tuki (the technology itself) as a tool for providing light in rural areas and has initiated “Karnali Illuminated Program” through the fiscal year 2006/07 national budget. Under this program, 60,000 solar tuki will be promoted in 9 remote districts. Government has allocated Nepalese Rupees 250 million (US$ 3.5 million) for this program. • Various international donor agencies are supporting the Nepalese Government in providing subsidy (around 50%) for Solar Tuki in rural districts through Alternate Energy Promotion Center (AEPC).

Links:

• Development Marketplace Photography Contest 2007 award winning
• ECCA-Nepal Solar Tuki Slideshow and movie clip
• Development Marketplace 2005 ECCA-Nepal solar tuki project

• ECCA-Nepal Solar Tuki status April 2007 (DOC)

In the period of one year (till July 2006), since the commercial launching of the LIGHT FOR ALL campaign, total 3,100 solar tukis have been promoted – around 2,600 solar tuki sets have been distributed through various local groups using the micro-financing scheme through the Revolving Fund and around 500 sets have been sold directly on cash (without micro-financing).

STATUS OF REVOLVING FUND

Total of US$ 58,000 have been already received for the Revolving Fund. Partnerships have been developed with World Bank Global Development Marketplace, World Bank Nepal Development Marketplace, Global Environment Facility, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), and private Nepalese companies in creating revolving fund so as to reach more number of rural households.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENT

For the first time, the Nepalese Government has recognized the contribution and usage of SOLAR TUKI by declaring “ Karnali Illuminated Program ” in the fiscal year 2006/07 national budget. Under this program, 60,000 solar tuki (having minimum facility of using a radio and two lamps) will be promoted in 9 remote districts.

Links:

• http://www.ecca.org.np

• Solar Tuki status report-August 2006 (DOC)