Solamps Product: Marketing and Entrepreneurship - Case Study Example

Marketing & Entrepreneurship Various innovations available through use of current technology enable service provisions that are based on finding solutions to simple life problems especially to those problems that are experienced on a daily basis. In finding such solutions, considerations are made on the effectiveness of whatever materials are used in coming up with the inventions and how helpful it will be to the people who can use it. There are various areas within rural places where people do not have access to electricity. This calls for the use of lamps and candles. This is also a common factor within developing and underdeveloped countries. Therefore, for such areas, in order to ensure continuous lighting system, the members have to ensure that they continuously buy the candles or buy paraffin. However, according to environmentalists, uses of paraffin are harmful to human health and environment. The same applies to the use of candles. Therefore, an innovation that comes up with creating an alternative source of light at an equal expense but totally environmentally friendly is essential. Product concept In finding solution to this, the best thought for idea would be to come up with an innovation that uses solar energy. The products will be called “Solamps”, generally derived from the two words, ‘Solar’ and ‘Lamps’. Solamps are equivalent to the normal paraffin lamps available in terms of size and even the shape. However, the concept behind its development and operation is different. One of the most important components of the Solamps is the use of a small round solar panel at the top of the lamps (Krebs, 2010, p210). It is basically the expensive part of the lamp. Another component is the small power amplifier which is put at the input terminal for the solar LEDs. The significance of the power amplifier is to amplify power produced by the small solar panel by a small amplification factor. The essence of this is still towards ensuring that even though the solar panel produces less power, the amplifier will ensure that the output power is greater thereby ensuring sustainability. The solar LEDs selected for the lamps should be of less power rating. This will ensure that the power stored by the solar panel is effectively utilized throughout the period between two interval exposures to sunlight. After acquiring the Solamps, the only duty that the customers have is to put the lamp in areas where they are exposed to sunlight. Due to low power consumption of these LEDs, sunlight here does not necessarily mean that there has to be the presence of visible light rays from the sun. Just a little brightness from the sun is enough to power the lamp. From the lamp, the LEDs is placed facing downwards since the solar panel is from the top to minimize wire connections from running from top to bottom (Krebs, 2010, p106). One important package with this lamp is that when the LEDs are not fixed, there is a metallic lid that covers the small LEDs holder. The other unique feature is that the bottom part of the lamp is similar to that of a paraffin lamp in all aspects. The lamp has a glass casing that protects and controls the brightness of the LEDs just like the one in the paraffin lamps. Connected to the solar panel are a rechargeable battery and a capacitor that simply stores the extra energy from the solar panel. The battery connects to the LEDs circuitry through a small switch located next to handle of the lamp. The principle of operation of the lamp is simple. After the batteries are charged, the extra charge is stored on the capacity which can be used to supply power when the battery runs out of power before next exposure to sunlight. Another important fact to notice about these lamps is that they are durable and the only thing that needs replacement after some time is the LED (Krebs, 2010, p67). In average, one energy-saving LED can go up to one year, indicating the effectiveness of the lamp. The only complication that comes with these lamps is in a point where someone with no knowledge on electrical connections tampers with the circuitry. Broader target The target for the use of these lamps varies from one reason to another. Of the majority is the developing and underdeveloped countries. This is mainly due to the fact that these countries still do not have full supply of electricity to almost all the homes. Since the initial installation of electricity is costly and that the dangers of using electricity especially during faults exist, the LEDs offer the best and effective lighting. An imagination on the stride that these lamps would help the people in the areas with no electricity creates the urge to motivate their production (Krebs, 2010, p99). Usage of the lamps is simple and do not even need a written down manual. This therefore adds the advantage of their use not being literacy bound. Apart from these developing and underdeveloped countries, these lamps can also be used in developed countries. Their major application comes in the cottages located in rural areas where people only spend their holidays. In these places, installation of electricity would be costly. Moreover, electricity is a subject to blackouts. During blackouts especially whenever there are faults in the transformers or in the transmission lines, people can effectively use these lamps, which are effective sources of clean energy. This application during blackouts or power faults does not limit to a specific group of people. It applies to all areas supplied by electricity (Krebs, 2010, p200). One limit for these lamps is their use during winter. However since the lower part of the lamps are similar to paraffin lamps, at this time, they can still be used as paraffin lamps. Existing alternatives and substitutes Currently there are only two existing alternatives and substitutes to these Solamps. One of the alternatives is the paraffin lamps. Paraffin lamps as the name suggests, depend wholly on paraffin. Burning of paraffin in these lamps is dangerous to the user and to the environment. The exhaust gas from the paraffin is harmful to human health. The carbon II oxide from the lamps due to incomplete combustion and the carbon IV oxide contribute majorly to global warming. Currently, environmentalists are discouraging the use of fossil fuels that contribute to the release of carbon into the atmosphere, due to carbon’s contribution to global warming. Another disadvantage comes with the use of paraffin is the escalating oil prices. Due to increased oil prices, various people from the rural areas find it difficult to continuously continue using paraffin effectively (Krebs, 2010, p30). This therefore calls for a different way of providing lighting. The other alternative is the use of candles. Candles are chemical combinations of carbon, oxygen and hydrogen, generally known as hydrocarbons. Just like paraffin, candles are dangerous especially due to their contribution in causing eye complications. The light rays from candles cause straining in the eye especially in the pupil and due to smoke associated with them, the eye pupils tend to contract and expand continuously, causing strains thus contributing to the various eye defects. Too much exposure to burning of such hydrocarbons is therefore defective. The contributions that burning these candles have to global warming are also significant and thus should not be used continuously. They should only be used rarely especially during celebrations such as romantic dinners. This hence creates a good platform of using Solamps. Unmet customer need Various customers would testify to service provision where they tend to purchase products and use them continuously for a long time before thinking of buying another one. This therefore calls for coming up with products that ensure continued services to customers at a reduced cost. Use of paraffin lamps puts the consumers with the need to continuously buy paraffin at a given interval of use. Due to the escalating oil prices, the consumers must also cut on their expenses for other needs in order to satisfy lighting needs. If these consumers are presented with Solamps, it will be a close-to-permanent solution to their problems (Krebs, 2010, p45). They will only purchase the Solamps at a fairly high price, but use them continuously for a long time without considering replacing them. The only replaceable components of the lamps are the LEDs and these are only replaced after a long period such as one year considering continuous use since the LEDs are energy saving. Since the lamps also provide a brighter lighting, they will ensure effective customer satisfaction. Apart from this need, the need for use of clean energy is also important. Students from these homes can easily and effectively use these lamps during their studies since they are bright and clean. Even at long period exposure to the lights from the lamps, their eyes do not strain as in the case with paraffin lamps or candles. Thus, Solamps offers a viable and effective lighting system and a business platform. Reference: Krebs, Frederik, 2010, Polymeric Solar Cells: Materials, Design, and Manufacture. Pennsylvania: DeStech Publications, Inc. Read More