1. Product Description: This is a apparatus with different components whose purpose is to receive sunlight energy, and convert this energy in to electrical energy. The electrical energy produced is used for generating heat and light. The apparatus is installed in individual homes and buildings and it does not require investment in transmission lines. The use of this apparatus in out country has been increasing during the last 10-15 years. Today it is not unusual to see these apparatus son roof tops of big and small buildings in Addis Ababa.
2. Market Potential: Solar energy storing and converting apparatus is convenient for supplying electrical energy and light to isolated communities where conventional energy sources such as thermal and hydro-power are too expensive to install and distribute. As of now almost all the rural communities and most of the small urban centers of the Amhara Region are not provided with electric energy and light. The provision of this energy to both urban and rural areas of the region will replace the use of wood and other biomass material there by saving the remaining plant resources of the region. Of the 20 million people 4,000,000 families living in the Amhara region, more than 3.8 million families are not provided with electric light and energy. If solar energy converting apparatuses are supplied and if we assume that about 10 percent of the families with no electric power and light will electric light and energy.
If solar energy converting apparatuses are supplied and if we assume that about 10 percent of the families with no electric power and light will buy these apparatuses, the initial demand will be about 380,000 units. As more people are aware about the benefits of these apparatuses, there will be more demand for them in course of time. It is, therefore, obvious that there is a huge potential demand for solar energy storing and converting apparatuses in the Amhara region. Whether or not this potential demand will be converted in to actual demand will depend on the unit price that each apparatus will be sold.
3. Source of Raw Material: Main components of this apparatus are voltaic cell, metal sheets, electrical cables, storage batteries, etc. most of the components will be imported.
4. Process and Technology: At the initial stage of production, the main process will be assembling the components of the apparatus. Gradually some parts and components will be fabricated and manufactured at the plant site. For the initial stage of operation not much machinery and equipment will be needed. But to start fabrication of components, some basic machinery and equipment will be needed. Bat to start fabrication of components, some basic machines such as shearing, machine, grinding machine, welding machine and other auxiliary machine will be needed.
5. Estimated Investment: For a plant that will produce about 20,000 units of the apparatus per year, the investment cost will be
§ Buildings 400m2 at Birr 2000/ m2 = Birr 800, 000
§ Plant and Machinery = Birr 1,000,000
§ Working capital = Birr 900,000
Total = Birr 2,700,000
6. Benefits: Improves the lives of rural people, saves forest and biomass resources, saves the energy and time of women…
7. Location: Bahir Dar, Combolcha.