Schneider Electric announced in January the local availability of In-Diya – a highly energy efficient light-emitting diode- (LED-) based lighting system – to provide lighting for people living with no, or unreliable, electricity.

In-Diya is a specially designed LED-based lighting system that provides backup lighting ranging from 8 to 15 hours for indoor applications. The technology is available in nine different variants. An external chargeable battery powers the 45 W LED basic model, while the high-end variant is a 90 W LED solar home lighting system that is compatible with an electricity grid.

“In-Diya marks a new phase for the company’s continuing sustainable development programme, BipBop, which plays a key role in providing access to reliable lighting for many of the 526-million people who do not have access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa. As a result, it enables people to take part in greater social and economic growth,” says Schneider Electric South Africa BipBop business development manager Mboneleli Ncuthushe.

In-Diya is the only available LED-based lighting system that can fully illuminate a typical South African rural house without electricity, he notes, adding that Schneider Electric’s research, development and manu- facturing capabilities have been used to offer consumers a high-quality product at an affordable price.

In-Diya consumes 50% less power than an 11 W compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and 90% less power than a 60 W incandescent lamp and offers the same light output. The lamp is mounted on a wall and can illuminate a room of just over 12 m2 for all normal activities.

The high-end version of the product costs less than any CFL-based solar home lighting system and provides 50 000 hours of lighting.

“Schneider Electric’s BipBop is a social business programme, which combines the company’s will to contribute to the development of low-income people on a global scale and the commitment to act in three strategically related areas: business, investment and people,” Ncuthushe concludes.