Keeping the lights on when electricity is hard to come by isn’t always the easiest thing to do. Rather than having access to on-tap electricity through a national or regional grid, those in rural areas often have to turn to other power sources.

Luminous Power Technologies has launched a new range of products aimed at providing those in rural India with back-up power supply. The range includes products such as the Solar Charge Controller and Solar Lantern.

The lantern includes features such as a four-step intensity control and a micro controller-based design. The product is intended to be used for tasks such as general lighting and reading. It provides up to 10 hours of light on the highest intensity setting and 16 hours on low intensity on one full charge. The lantern, which can also be charged from the mains, requires minimal maintenance.

The charge controller, meanwhile, comes with 12/24-volt batteries and pulse width modulation (PWM) technology, meaning the dependency on the batteries is reduced while providing up to 98 percent power efficiency. The controller also has a built-in electronic short circuit protection, which makes it safer to use.

Luminous is a company focused on power products for home and commercial applications. It launched the new range in celebration of the spirit of Earth Day and to increase its offerings for the rural sector.

"A part of Luminous's brand commitment is to bring in effective power backup solutions into the rural hinterland of the country which in the absence of basic electrification processes are untouched by the general progress of the country," said Sudhir Kalla, president of marketing and sales at Luminous Power Technologies said in a release.

The firm plans to educate farmers on its solar offerings and advise them on how the solar products could be beneficial to them.

Solar energy is one of the most effective ways to deliver green, renewable power. Earlier this month, it was revealed that Kit Carson Electric Cooperative is bringing solar power to north central New Mexico. Meanwhile, Colorado State University researchers are working on a way to embed wearable solar panels into clothing.