Jan 3 2014
What started as a research project by the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) at NUS has culminated into a spin-off that helps light up rural communities.
A COMMLIGHT used at a university in Surabya, Indonesia
With a grant from the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), the team initiated the concept of affordable solar-powered street lamps that can be used in areas not connected to an electricity grid. The development of the idea led to the formation of start-up Fosera Lighting Pte Ltd to commercialise the product.
The COMMLIGHT is a streetlight with an intelligent microprocessor and motion-sensor that automatically adjusts to the brightest level upon detection of activity. Otherwise, the lamp goes into dimmed mode when full lighting is not required to save energy. The integrated design with a built-in solar panel uses energy-saving LED lights and long-lasting Lithium-ion batteries to minimise maintenance.
By implementing the NUS-patented passive cooling concept for the battery and the microcontroller-driven power management algorithm with adaptive lighting, the system is highly efficient with an expected lifespan of up to 10 years. The electronics components housed in waterproof and durable aluminium ensure prolonged operation in tough climates. The lamp is easy to mount and uses theft-proven fixtures.
Typical applications are small streets, walkways, markets, small businesses, parking lots, bus stops, rural communities and places where the electric power grid is unavailable or a grid connection would be too expensive.
Last year, Fosera Lighting initiated the “Streetlights for Cambodia” campaign on Indiegogo.com. This campaign was a corporate social responsibility project to help improve the standard of living and safety of people in the Kampong Chhanang province of central Cambodia. “By this new way of raising money through crowd funding, we not only create an impact according to our vision, but also generate product volumes and visibility,” said Mr Robert Haendel, Founder and CEO of Fosera Lighting.
Conducted in partnership with Asian non-governmental organisations "Base of the Pyramid" Hub and the World Toilet Organisation, the campaign collected sufficient funds to install 16 COMMLIGHT lamps in the villages of Kraing Learve, Toek Laak and Trapaing Kravann.
Since starting operations in August this year, the young company has already sold its products to more than 18 countries globally.
“We will continue to develop further products with our own resources and in cooperation with SERIS,”said Mr Haendel. Currently, the firm is testing a wireless hotspot system integrated into the COMMLIGHT and focusing on cost reduction, he disclosed.
In recognition of its innovation, Fosera Lighting won first prize at the INSEAD Boot Camp Business competition and SMART business contest in 2012. It also clinched the title of the “Most Promising Start-up” in the engineering category at Techventure 2013, a networking platform for regional start-ups to present their ideas and projects to potential investors and develop business plans.