PV-GRID POWER SYSTEM is developed by Right Lamp Shine Group Ltd — tagline Renewable energy here. The flagship product is the RLACS (Right Lamp Automatic Changeover Switch), an electronic device that automatically switches between solar (PV) and national grid (REG) power with minimal delay, invisible to the user at the load.
- Status: Startup stage
- Cohort: GIIH Cohort 1
- Company: Right Lamp Shine Group Ltd
- GIIH support received: 6,000,000 RWF
- Product: RLACS automatic changeover switch
- Priority source: Solar PV · Backup: REG national grid
Overview
We developed an electronic device that connects and automatically switches energy sources at very little delay — users cannot see the change at the load. Solar is the priority source; REG grid power is the backup. RLACS addresses high electricity costs and reduces overload on the national grid by making solar adoption easier in urban homes.
The problem
- High energy prices — energy generated is less than demand
- Traditional cooking — households still rely on charcoal and firewood
- Grid overload — national grid infrastructure under heavy load
The solution
Improvement of solar energy systems through intelligent automatic changeover between PV and grid power.
Product demo — RLACS
The Right Lamp Automatic Changeover Switch (RLACS) connects:
- Grid input — public utility power (REG)
- PV input — solar panels via inverter and battery storage
- Load output — household appliances (TV, phone charging, iron, etc.)
The device features an LCD display, PV/Grid status LEDs, and automatic switching logic so solar is used first and grid power fills gaps seamlessly.
Advantages
- Integrating solar with hydropower/grid can reduce electricity cost by 80–100%
- Lower electricity prices help households shift from charcoal, firewood and gas to electric cooking
- Solar integration reduces heavy load on the national grid
Market opportunity
Target customers are households and institutions connected to the national grid:
- 48.72% — households, schools, health centres, hospitals and other institutions currently grid-connected
- 69.1% — projected full national grid connection by 2024
Traction
- Academic thesis results showed solar contributing 97.5% in sample sizing tests
- Easy installation and maintenance
- One-year grant offered to early customers
- Demo content on YouTube: R.ENERGY TV
Business model
- Dual-source users (solar + grid): RLACS device at 30,000 RWF/kW
- Grid-only users: solar system sales at 700 RWF/W of PV
- Future: micro-loans for cooking and lighting — customers repay monthly from energy savings
Team
- JM Julien Dushimimana — Managing Director
- Vedaste Ntirenganya — Chief Executive
- Jean de Dieu Nyandwi — Financial Manager
- Diane Tuyizere — IT Engineer
Competition
Many companies work on solar energy; Right Lamp Shine Group adds value through the proprietary RLACS automatic changeover device.
Investment
Three funding channels: NGO investment, private investors, and shareholders.
Timeline
- 2022: Minimum viable product
- 2023: Refined platform
- 2024: User growth — production, device distribution and installation
Validation completed; production and nationwide device distribution planned.
