There is this great news of usage of solar lanterns in the village of Ulti, Jharkhand, India. An NGO, Lohardaga Gram Swarajya Sansthan, has come up with this project of solar charged LED lamps for the tribal village dwellers.

With over 5 charging stations and powering 120 households, the monthly cost is mere fifteen rupees. The women can go to the charging stations and keep the lanterns on charge from 6am to 6 pm with a charge of 50 paise a day (less than 1 cent)! Although a crude quality similar lantern can be purchased with 5 USD, the NGO charges 30 USD with a 20 year guarantee. This initiative has helped to largely discourage the traditional use of kerosene lamps that causes both environmental and health issues.

My only suggestion is: if there can be a non-profit cooperative initiative which can allow the households to let go of the charging fee as well and making the community the owner of these charging stations.