Major Activities of RSF

1. Installation of SHS (Solar Home System)
2. Construction of biogas plant
3. Dissemination of Improve Cook Stove
4. Sales, installation and maintenance of IPS (Instant Power Supply- a backup power system for supplying of electricity during failure of grid power)
5. Link development between rural and urban growth center under Agro project
6. Contract farming and establishment of supply chain model development
7. Rehabilitation program for SIDR affected area and Poribesh Utsab prize completion for SSC level student  
8. Model School development for the under privileged child

RSF Service Network Human Resources:

To enhance the service network, RSF has opened 71 unit offices in remote rural areas of Bangladesh and the number of Unit Office will be 100 by June 2008. Before opening the unit office RSF conducts a primary survey to find out the energy needs of the locality and their socio-economic condition. Once the survey indicates that area is potential for dissemination of renewable energy technology then RSF take initiative to open a new unit office to serve the area. 

To support the operation and field activities, RSF has deployed adequate number of experience and socially committed fellows. At present 335 staffs are working and most of them are technical professionals.

Significant Achievement

RSF has enlisted with IDCOL/ World Bank solar home system program as PO (Partner Organization) from July 2006. The largest SHS program in the country with over 130,000 installations

With the financial aid of GTZ, RSF has taken an initiative to reach the poor with small SHS. Within the framework of GTZ project, RSF will install 1200 SHS for lower income group. So far 1200 small and mini SHS has been installed. In addition, with the financial & technical cooperation of GTZ, RSF is implementing Biogas and ICS (Improve Cook Stove) project. 

RSF is also an enlisted partner of the IDCOL Biogas & manure program.

Solar Home System Program

In Bangladesh, only 35% of the total population has access to the grid electricity, which is clearly indicating the acute shortage of electrical power. The scenario is far worse in rural areas. Due to the shortage of electric power rural economy does not function properly.

To address the issue RSF has taken initiative for installation of SHS in remote rural areas of Bangladesh. To enhance the solar program, RSF has signed an agreement with IDCOL. Under the frame work of IDCOL solar program, RSF is entitled to get GTZ/KFW/GEF grant promotional activity as well as refinancing from KFW and World Bank to provide the installment facility for the users.

To reach the pro-poor with Solar Home System, RSF signed an agreement with German Technical Cooperation (GTZ) on July 20, 2006. Main objective of the program was to reach the lower income group with the renewable energy technology.

Progress of Solar Home System Program

Installation of SHS is one of the main activities of RSF. From its inception RSF has installed 12,218 SHS by February, 2008 through its 71 unit offices under IDCOL, GTZ and RSF own financing program.

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Small Solar Home System Pilot Project

At present IDCOL is financing for 30 Wp and above size through RERE program, so lower income group were not the beneficiaries of the project. In view of such and to bring the lower group into the renewable energy technology program, RSF has initiated the project with the financial support of GTZ. The project is speculated as pilot project to find out the sustainability. After successful implementation of the project, now it is incorporated into the IDCOL regular program.

Program Description:
The program is defined as pilot project to find out the potentiality of Small Solar Home System in rural areas. To facilitate the lower income group RSF has designed the small SHS (16Wp & 21Wp) with low power LED lighting device. Initially 200 small SHS under the pilot project and finally 700 SSHS has been installed.

Mini SHS to Reach the Pro-poor
Successful implementation of small SHS has inspired to take pilot initiative for finding the technical and economical scope and impact of mini SHS. With the financial support of GTZ, RSF is implementing the program at field level. Under the framework of the project, RSF is installing 500 small solar home systems for the very low income group. The system is based on 7.5 Wp PV module with a 7.5 Ah rechargeable maintenance free battery and few small lighting devices. Main targeted users of the system are small grocery shop, small home business as well as small home in rural areas where there is no electricity. So far 500 has been installed

Package-  7.5 Wp

Mini SHS containing one LED and one compact fluorescent lamp and a lantern. The system is designed for four hours lighting through either using 3 watt fluorescent lamp or by using a 1.5 LED lamp and a 1 watt lantern. 

  Improve Cook Stove

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RSF has entered into new area of energy saving sector called improved cook stove with the cooperation of GTZ.  Goal is to modify the stoves to make them fuel efficient and provide them with a mechanism (eg chimney) to remove pollutants from the indoor environment.

Objectives

1. To reduce the in-door air pollution
2. To improve the kitchen environment for supporting the mother and child health care program
3. To protect the de-forestation through improving the fuel efficiency of cooking stove
4. To reduce the green house effect

Main Feature of the Improve Cooking Stove (ICS)

1. 50% fuel saving 
2. Reduce of smoke and thus protect the in door environment
3. Thermally efficient so the temperature of the kitchen remain comparatively low

 
Biogas Program of RSF
in Bangladesh some privileged urban people have the facility to use the natural gas but the rural are using the biomass, firewood or cow dung in a conventional way and they are just burning it in presence of air and thus it create lot of smoke in the air and which is harmful for the health, specially for children and women. To address the issue and considering the local scenario RSF is working as CPO (Construction Partner Organization) of IDCOL from 2006. So far RSF has installed 140 biogas plants till February 2008.

Commercial/Institutional Biogas

1. RSF has signed an agreement with GTZ to implement the biogas plant construction
2. Under the agreement RSF will construct 80 commercial/Institutional biogas plant and 2 mason training program
3. Significant of the project is its size. Its minimum size will be 6 cubic meter which is beyond the IDCOL approved biogas plant so the people who need large or commercial type biogas they can be benefited from the projectProgress
4. RSF has arranged one mason training program out of two and one commercial plant is under construction

RSF Mode of Financing for SHS is as Follows

Mode 1: The customer has to pay 15% of the total price as down payment during installation and the remaining 85% is paid by monthly installment within 36 months including 6% service charge (flat rate).

Mode 2: The customer has to pay 15% of the total price as down payment during installation and the remaining 85% is paid by monthly installment within 24 months including 6% service charge (flat rate), moreover 2% discount is applicable for it.

Mode 3: 4% discount is given for cash purchase.

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Market Development Activities

Renewable energy technology is comparatively new concept for the rural people so awareness development program can assists the market activities. In view of this RSF has taken the following program to develop the market of SHS.

Demonstration
Demonstrations are arranged in a public gathering place like market, exhibition, school and college campus to build up the awareness for renewable energy technology and thus people can see the performance of the technology and can convey the massage among mass people.

Dissemination Materials

Leaflet & brochures explaining the benefit of SHS and its services are distributed among the people.  Banners posters are also being used for this purpose.

School-bag /Wall-clock as Promotional Item

RSF is giving a free school bag/ wall clock as promotional item with its SHS. It has two way effects. The free promotional items attract the customers to buy the system in addition every day when students carry the bag to the school, other students and neighbors become familiar with RSF logo and its product. 
           
Competitive Price with Quality Product

RSF is continually trying to make the SHS more affordable for the rural people.  The development of local manufacturing of SHS accessories has been made possible through continuous intervening with the local manufacturer.

Maintenance Service

All SHS clients get free support for three years from the date of installation. RSF engineers visit at least once in a month during collection of monthly installment and check the system and note the data in the maintenance card of the system. If they found any problem, they take the necessary steps to resolve it.

User Training

RSF arrange regular free training program for the user. User training ensures the proper use of the system moreover some preventive maintenance work is also done by the users. In addition it helps to dissemination the technology.

Post Warranty Service

RSF has post warranty service policy for its clients. This post warranty service charge is very low.  It ensures that user will get a prompt response for any kind of technical problem and service from RSF engineer. Major replacement cost will be borne by the user at a reasonable price.

Impact of SHS on Society and Especially on Women

Children's education and other activities of household work have improved due to better quality of light. Commercial users reported increase in income by extending working hours after dusk. Besides, PV system has opened up new opportunities for employment. The living standard of our customers is also improving.
Generally women, who traditionally take the responsibility for the arrangement of home lighting (Kerosene lamp) at night, are enjoying safe and hassle free lighting systems in their daily lives. Moreover, they are getting opportunities to earn extra money by utilizing their time after dusk by sewing or by doing other. In addition, solar lighting system has increased their physical security at night.
Solar Home Systems are also used at different productive purpose such at grocery shop, fishing boat, hatchery etc. Besides this, SHS provides the opportunity for increasing social awareness through the access to educational and entertainment programming by TV and radio. In addition people who live out of grid power can charge their mobile phone through the SHS. In Bangladesh, 90% area is covered by mobile phone signal but only 35% area is covered by grid power so most of the mobile phone users are depending on alternative power for charging their mobile set.

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RSF has done a survey within its SHS users to find out the socio economic condition of the SHS user and impact of SHS in their livelihood. The sample size was 100. Summery of survey is as follows

20% of the SHS is being used for income generating purpose
80 for household use but out of this 80% of total installation, 16% household are involve in productive work in their house and they are the direct beneficiary of  SHS.

Profession and income level of SHS users are as follows
Service  6%
Agriculture         35%
Business           59%
Level of income
Less than Tk 3000                     32%
More than  Tk 3000                    68%

90% of the user’s response was that SHS has positive impact in the rural livelihood. Children are more studious due to bright light at night.

92% commercial users claimed that they are earning more money due to extension of working hour after dusk

88% user expressed their deep satisfaction regarding the service quality of RSF and its technology.
In addition 12% user expressed their average satisfaction. But no user is unhappy with the service and product of RSF.

99% customers have given their opinion that many people have shown their interest after observing the system at their home/shop. It indicates that each system develop many potential buyer so every SHS is a demonstration system and increasing the awareness among the society.

Social Development Work

1. Relief operation for SIDR affected people
2. Rehabilitation program for SIDR
3. RSF Model School & College
4. Poribash Utsab
5. Computer Training Center

RSF Model School & College

• Education is the best tool for alleviation of poverty. Aiming this objectives, RSF has taken an initiative to establish a model education center for the under privileged child.
• It will be a blended curriculum  of modern education with social, religious and ethical values.
• Student will get free accommodation, meal, wears and dress and other necessary services for build up their carrier.

Relief operation for SIDR affected people

1. RSF has collected cash from its staff and other personal donation
2. Sharee and cash have been distributed among the 1000 people
3. In addition more than 1000 gents and ladies wear (used and new) has been distributed
4. 1000 sweaters has been distributed which were donated by Softex Cotton Ltd.  

Rehabilitation program for SIDR



1. 3 number of fishing boat including fishing accessories will be given to 30 fishermen
2. During first phase of SIDR rehabilitation program, RSF will help 30 fisherman  family for their rehabilitation
3. Each boat will accumulate 10 fishermen for fishing in coast line areas
• Financing Mechanism
10 fishermen will form a group and RSF will handover the boat to the group with 50% cost subsidy and 2 years installment facility

Future Plan and Target of 2008

RSF will open 100 unit offices at grass root level to expand its activities in all corner of Bangladesh By 2008. RSF target to install 35,000 SHS, 400 biogas plants, including 5,000 improve cook stove by 2008.  

Moreover RSF is going to take a unique step to celebrate the International Environment Day (5th June) through a quiz competition for the SSC (10th level) students. Initially only 10 sub-district out of 460 sub-district of Bangladesh, RSF will arrange the competition examination to select 200 scholars for awarding them. Topics for the quiz will be climate change, renewable energy technology and 3R (reduce, reuse & recycle).

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At a Glance

Incorporated                              31 January 2006

Main program                            Solar Home System
Biogas, Improve Stove, AP Battery
Instant Power Supply                                                    
Area coverage:
Number of district                       26
Number of Upazila                      100
Number of Villages                     1000

Total beneficiaries                      More than 60,000
Field office                                 71
Field staff                                  315                 
Total installation             12,218 SHS, 675 IPS and 140 Biogas
Developing Partner                            GTZ, IDCOL, Rahimafrooz